Health and protection
The pulp in the seedpods of carob is very nutritious and, due to its high sugar content, sweet-tasting and mildly laxative.
However, the pulp in the pods is also astringent and, used in a decoction, will treat diarrhoea and gently help to cleanse and also relieve irritation within the gut.
Whilst these appear to be contradictory effects, carob is an example of how the body responds to herbal medicines in different ways, according to how the herb is prepared and according to the specific medical problem.
The seedpods are also used in the treatment of coughs.
A flour made from the ripe seedpods is demulcent and emollient. It is used in the treatment of diarrhoea.
The seed husks are astringent and purgative.
The bark is strongly astringent.
A decoction is used in the treatment of diarrhoea.
