Quince

(Cydonia oblonga Mill., Rosaceae)

Also Called: Quince seed.

Description: Tree or shrub up to 8m (26ft) high.
Leaves oval, downy and greyish when young.
Flowers 3-5cm (1-2in), white or pink.
Fruit downy, pear- or apple-shaped, containing centrally 5 adherent masses each of 8-16 seeds.
Seeds brown, about 10mm (0.4in) long, ovoid flattened.

Part Used: Dried seeds.

Habitat and Collection: Of East Asian origin, now cultivated throughout the world.
Cultivated in Britain for its fruit; occasionally found growing wild.
The seeds are separated when the fruits are used for preserves.
Generally imported from Iran or Iraq. Dried at 4050 C (104-122 F).

Constituents and Action: Mucilage, located in the outer seed coat.
In the presence of water this mucilage yields a viscous solution that gels in the presence of intestinal juices and a very dilute solution of sodium chloride.
The inner part of the seed contains the dangerous prussic acid and toxic action results from eating entire seeds.
The mucilage lessens irritation of all mucosa and is a mild laxative.

Usage: As a mucilage (allow a teaspoonful of entire seeds to swell in a cup of tepid water for several hours then separate the seeds from the resulting mucilage).
The entire quince fruit, swollen in water is also used.
Internally the mucilage is taken as a mild laxative, it is used as a gargle or mouthwash for inflammation of the throat and mouth.