SAEDNEWS: Wild pistachio, also called "bene" or "Habba al-Khadra" in traditional medicine, is a small fruit with a warm and dry nature, making it ideal for consumption during cold seasons. Packed with effective compounds and vitamins, it is particularly beneficial for treating inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and joint pains.
Bene or wild pistachio is a tree from the pistachio genus with the scientific name Pistacia atlantica. There are various species of bene. The bene tree is dioecious and has pinnate leaves (with 1 to 7 leaflets). These leaflets are oval-egg-shaped. The fruit of this tree is spherical, initially pink, then red, and when fully ripe, the fruit's cover becomes green. Bene has a warm and dry (choleric) nature and possesses therapeutic properties. Let's get to know some of the health benefits of bene.
Wild pistachio, or bene, is a special pistachio found in certain areas of our country. The wild pistachio fruit is hard, its kernel is oily, and it is consumed like seeds, except that its hard shell can damage teeth. The outer shell of this fruit is green when young and partially red, and it is harvested semi-ripe in May. It is worth mentioning that a type of natural resin known as "sakız" exudes from the wild pistachio trees, which contains many useful compounds and has many medicinal properties. To learn about the benefits of sakız, reading the article "What are the Benefits of Sakız (Bene)? (Getting to Know the Harms and Benefits of Sakız)" is suggested.
The benefits of bene are numerous. Bene or wild pistachio is rich in nutrients and energy, with benefits that often surpass those of ordinary or nut pistachios. This fatty, edible seed has a very pleasant taste, so much so that the extract of wild pistachio is used to eliminate the bitter and unpleasant taste of some medicines. The fruit, oil, and resin of bene have been used in traditional medicine for a long time. The most important compounds of bene include unsaturated fatty acids, tocopherols, phytosterols, carotenoids, and phenols. Nutrients in wild pistachio include vitamins A, E, B, and D.
Antimicrobial Effects of Bene Fruit: Overuse of antibiotics has led to increasing bacterial resistance to these drugs, limiting their effectiveness. Since some plants have antimicrobial properties, understanding these plants allows us to use them against more pathogenic microbes and find low-risk alternatives to antibiotics. Research has shown that bene and its extract exhibit strong antibacterial effects against certain bacteria. For example, bene extract can fight against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Clostridium sporogenes, which commonly cause food poisoning and gastrointestinal inflammation in humans.
Beneficial for Reducing Cholesterol and Preventing Cardiovascular Diseases: Wild pistachio oil is rich in unsaturated fatty acids. Studies on the effect of bene oil on the fats and lipoproteins in rats and rabbits showed that oral consumption of wild pistachio oil or fruit increases HDL cholesterol and decreases LDL cholesterol levels in the blood; therefore, it can be very effective in reducing atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases.
Antioxidant Activity and Blood Sugar Reduction: Scientific studies have shown that using bene resin extract and its fruit positively affects blood sugar control in diabetic patients. Studies on the antioxidant activity of bene extract have also been conducted, showing significant antioxidant activity.
Strengthening the Immune System with Bene Fruit: Oleic acid in bene increases white blood cell production and strengthens the immune system against invading pathogens. The antioxidant properties of oleic acid in bene neutralize harmful free radicals and reduce oxidative damage. Bene is used to prevent inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune disorders like fibromyalgia, as it is rich in oleic acid.
Bene Oil as a Remedy for Joint Pain: External use of bene oil is very effective for joint and muscle pain, as well as for sciatica. Bene oil is available in pharmacies and herbal shops. To make homemade bene oil, crush and grind ripe bene seeds, heat them, add a small amount of boiling water, knead and press them to extract natural bene oil.
Benefits of Bene Oil for Hair: This unique oil, due to its restorative properties, is very beneficial and effective for the regrowth of damaged hair. It is recommended for those who have lost their beautiful hair for any reason or have damaged hair to massage their scalp and hair with bene oil. After a few hours, wash your hair with a suitable shampoo. In the past, this oil was used to treat baldness. This oil has a warm nature; therefore, people with a warm and dry nature may experience redness, itching, or pimples on the scalp after using it.
Bene Oil for Removing Skin Spots: Regular use of bene or wild pistachio oil on the face helps heal burns and improve spots caused by acne, wounds, and burns on the skin. Traditional medicine experts believe that rubbing bene oil on birthmark areas for four months can remove it and lighten the skin.
Treating Acne with Bene Tree Leaves: Acne is a chronic inflammatory skin disease associated with factors like diet, menstrual cycle, sweating, sun exposure, occupation, stress, genetics, medications, detergents, and cosmetics. It is one of the most common reasons for visiting dermatologists. While there are many chemical medications for treating acne, using herbal products has fewer side effects and better healing effects on the skin. In this regard, a group of researchers from Yazd University and Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences conducted experiments and studies on the therapeutic effects of bene extract in treating facial acne. The experiments showed that individuals who used bene or wild pistachio extract exhibited signs of improvement and acne reduction on their faces. The antibacterial properties of bene leaf extract play a significant role in its therapeutic effects.
Bene Effective in Treating Diabetic Foot Ulcers: The feet of some diabetic patients develop ulcers, infections, and gangrene, which is a major problem in caring for diabetic patients that can lead to amputation due to severe infection or peripheral ischemia. Common treatment for diabetic foot ulcers includes proper blood sugar control, antibiotic treatment, debridement of necrotic tissue, reducing mechanical pressure, and regular dressing. Iranian researchers, considering the antimicrobial, antibacterial, and antibiotic properties of bene, found that using bene extract prevents the growth of some bacteria in diabetic foot ulcers and reduces the healing time and hospitalization duration.
Treating Anemia and Iron Deficiency with Bene: Wild pistachio is rich in minerals and vitamins. Consuming this fruit can address various vitamin deficiencies in the body. Wild pistachio is the best remedy for treating anemia, and consuming it daily can prevent anemia and iron deficiency. To this end, wild pistachio can be used as a snack, in a local dish called "Ab Bene" or "Qatough Bene," in nut mixes, or in salad oil.
Side Effects and Precautions for Wild Pistachio (Bene): Overconsumption of wild pistachio can cause mouth ulcers and loss of appetite. It is worth noting that due to the value of this plant species, its protection has become a priority, and proper methods are used to utilize it. Additionally, the fruit, leaves, and resin from wild pistachio are used in the pharmaceutical industry. Furthermore, various parts of the wild pistachio tree have extensive industrial uses, and its seeds produce a high-quality edible oil.
