Description
Medicinal Parts
The medicinal parts are the fruit and seeds.
Flower and Fruit
The flowers are pink, relatively large, solitary, and perfumed. The fruit is yellow, downy, and apple or pear-shaped.
Leaves, Stem, and Root
Qunice is a 3- to - m high tree or shrub with tomentose branches covered in alternate, ovate leaves. The undersurface of the leaves is grass-green and tomentose.
Habitat
Quince is indigenous to southwest and central Asia, but it has also spread to Europe and in particularly the Mediterranean.
Production
Quince seeds are the seeds of Cydonia oblongata. The ripe quinces are picked, stored for a period, then cut and finally dried at temperatures not exceeding 50ºC. The seeds are gathered up and used in whole or ground form.
Actions & Pharmacology
Compounds
Cyanogenic glycosides: amygdalin (corresponding to 0.4 to 1.5%, 27 to 75 mg HCN/100 g)
Mucilages
Fatty oil
Effects
The main active principles are mucilage, some tannins and vitamin C. There is no information is available on the mode of action.
Indications & Usage
Unproven Uses
Quince is used as a demulcent in digestive disorders and diarrhea. As a lotion, it is used to soothe the eyes. The seeds are also used to treat coughs and gastrointestinal catarrh. Additionally, the herb is used in compresses or poultices for injuries, inflammation of the joints, injuries of the nipples, and gashed or deeply cut fingers.
Precautions & Adverse Reactions
Health risks or side effects following the proper administration of designated therapeutic dosages are not recorded. Because quince mucilage is prepared from the whole seeds, and/or the whole seeds are taken internally, the cyanogenic glycosides are credited with a slight toxicological relevance.
Dosage
Mode of Administration
The drug is used as a powder, a lotion, a decoction and an extract.
Preparation
Extract/decoction: 1 tsp. of whole seeds per cup of water. A viscous poultice is prepared from the ground seeds.
