Vitis vinifera
For thousands of years, the fruit and plant of Vitis vinifera have been harvested for both medicinal and nutritional value; its history is intimately entwined with the history of wine. The furthest back in this chain of use goes is at least 6,000 years ago when Mesopotamians and Ancient Egyptians had farming plans for the vines [1]. Greek philosophers praised the healing powers of grapes both whole and in the form of wine. Grape cultivation and wine making in China took place before the Han Dynasty in 206BC [1]. Using the sap of grape vines, European folk healers cured skin and eye diseases. Another historical use include the leaves being used to stop bleeding, pain and inflammation of Hemorrhoids. For treating sore throats unripe grapes were used, raisins were given as treatments for consumption (cancer), constipation and thirst. For the treatment of cancer, cholera, smallpox, nausea, skin and eye infections as well as kidney an liver diseases, ripe grapes were used. Seedless grape varieties were developed to appeal to fickle consumers, but researchers are now discovering that many of the healthful properties of grapes may actually come from the seeds themselves. Modern research on reservatol, a chemical found in grape skins, as a tool against cardiovascular disease, cancer and aging, has begun to back up some of the assertions of the folk healers. As research says 'Resveratol has been shown to modulate the metabolism of lipids, and to inhibit the oxidation of low-density lipoproteins and the aggregation of platelets.'[1] Grape seed oil, from the crushed seeds is summarily extraordinary in it's wide range of uses and health benefits. Grapes were originally native to Asia somewhere near the Caspian Sea, but were imported to North America and Europe around the 1600's. This plant's climbing vine has large, jagged leaves, and its stem bark tends to peel. The grapes may be green, red, or purple.
References
- Life Sciences, Volume 66, Issue 8 , 14 January 2000, Pages 663-673. Abstract
- The History of China Wine - Article
- The History of Wine - Index Timeline
