Pomegranate (Punica granatum) has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, including Ayurveda and traditional Persian and Middle Eastern medicine. In these traditions, pomegranate rind, bark, and juice have been used to treat a variety of gastrointestinal ailments, including diarrhea and dysentery—symptoms commonly observed in cholera. Historical texts sometimes mention pomegranate as an astringent and antimicrobial agent, which could theoretically be beneficial in cholera, a disease marked by profuse watery diarrhea.

The rationale for its use includes the presence of tannins and polyphenols, which have demonstrated antimicrobial and astringent properties in vitro and in animal studies. However, there is very limited direct scientific evidence evaluating pomegranate specifically for cholera in humans. Some laboratory studies have shown that pomegranate extracts can inhibit the growth of certain bacteria, including Vibrio cholerae, the causative agent of cholera, but these findings have not been thoroughly validated in clinical trials.

In summary, the use of pomegranate for cholera is rooted primarily in traditional medicine, with some supporting laboratory evidence but a lack of robust clinical data. Thus, while it is historically justified, its efficacy and safety for this specific condition have not been scientifically proven.