Pineapple (Ananas comosus)

Pineapple is a tropical fruit known for its bright, sweet-tart flavor and its powerful digestive and anti-inflammatory properties. Traditionally valued for clearing heat, stimulating digestion, and easing congestion, pineapple supports both cleansing and restoration, making it a functional food in warm-weather and stagnation-reducing diets.

Monograph of Pineapple

(Ananas comosus)

• Family

  Bromeliaceae (Bromeliad family)

• Taste

  Sour - Sour refers to anything fermented or acidic.

  Sweet - Sweet refers to anything builds tissue, including macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

  Astringent (Slightly) - Astringency is characterized by constriction, drawing together, or drying.

• Season

  Best in Late Spring through Summer (cooling and clearing)

• Qualities

  Clear - Clear refers to anything that cleanses or flushes out wastes, or that digests metabolic toxins.

  Moist - Moist is identified by anything moistening and nourishing to the tissues.

  Cooling - Cold refers to anything that reduces body temperature, metabolism, and blood flow.

  Easy - Easy refers to anything easy to digest, or digests quickly.

  Light - Lightness is identified by reduced weight.

  Mobile - Mobile refers to anything that stimulates the nervous system, muscles, or activity.

• Suitability

  Signs of Catabolic excess- Dryness, feeling cold and too light. If it’s not easy to gain weight, you are most likely a Catabolic type.

  Signs of Metabolic excess- Excess heat, irritation and inflammation. When balanced, digestion is strong and weight is healthy.

  Signs of Anabolic excess- Feeling heaviness, slow digestion and lethargy. A slow metabolism is common. Gaining weight from a diet high in carbs and sugar is too easy.

  Pineapple may:

  Balance anabolic excess (clears mucus, heaviness, congestion)

  Balance catabolic depletion (when combined with warming or building foods)

  May aggravate metabolic excess if consumed in large amounts due to its enzymatic intensity and acidity

• Indicated Tissue States

  Indicated tissue states identify the dynamic patterns of imbalance within the body that a substance is suited to correct, helping guide personalized treatment.

  Pineapple is best indicated for tissue states involving Damp/Heat.

  Simpler explanation: Tissue states show what’s happening at the tissue level — whether things are too dry, too tense, too inflamed — and what foods or herbs can help fix that.

• Affinities

  Affinities are the targeted tissues that Sample acts on after chemical releases:

  Pineapple has a strong affinity for the Digestive tract, Lymphatic system, Liver, Respiratory system, Skin and Blood.

• Chemical Constituents

  Bromelain (proteolytic enzyme)

  Vitamin C

  Manganese

  Flavonoids

  Organic acids (citric and malic acids)

  Beta-carotene (trace)

  Fiber

  Natural sugars (glucose, fructose)

• Nutritional Value

  (per 1 cup fresh diced pineapple)

  • Calories: ~80

  • Vitamin C: ~88% DV

  • Manganese: ~76% DV

  • Carbohydrates: ~21g

  • Sugar: ~16g

  • Fiber: ~2.3g

• Preparation Methods

  Eaten fresh (best when fully ripe)

  Blended into smoothies or juices (often paired with ginger or mint)

  Grilled or lightly sautéed to reduce acidity and increase warmth

  Added to salsas, chutneys, and digestive tonics

  Juiced as part of cleansing regimens or seasonal flushes

Note:

To find out which foods and dosages are best suited for your body type, please take the Body Type Quiz to detect any current imbalances and consult a traditional whole-person health practitioner (like myself) for personalized support and recommendations.

Medicinal Actions of Pineapple

(Ananas comosus)

• Nervous system

  Builds core vitality (mild): Replenishes hydration and vitamin C post-stress or illness.

  Mood boosting (mild): Natural sugars and antioxidants gently uplift mental energy.

  Neuroprotective (mild): Flavonoids and vitamin C reduce oxidative stress in neural tissue.

• Circulatory System

  Blood thinner (mild–moderate): Bromelain mildly reduces platelet aggregation.

  Anti-inflammatory (moderate): Systemic enzyme action helps reduce swelling and heat in the blood.

  Rebuilds fluids (mild): Hydrating and supports blood plasma volume.

• Digestive System

  Digestive (moderate): Bromelain enhances protein breakdown and digestive efficiency.

  Digestive tonic (mild): Stimulates enzymatic secretions and improves nutrient assimilation.

  Carminative (mild): Relieves bloating and gas when used in moderation.

  High fiber laxative (mild): Fiber supports smooth elimination and bulking of stool.

  Relieves burning (mild): Soothes acid-induced inflammation when fully ripe.

  Stomachic (moderate): Improves appetite and relieves sluggishness in the upper GI.

• Immune/Lymphatic

  Immune stimulant (mild–moderate): High vitamin C content supports white blood cell function.

  Antimicrobial (mild): Bromelain shows some antibacterial and anti-parasitic activity.

  Flushes membranes (mild–moderate): Clears stuck mucus and supports lymph flow.

  Internal detoxificant (mild–moderate): Supports breakdown and removal of waste proteins.

• Skin/Integumentary System

  Skin tonic (mild): Vitamin C and enzyme content support collagen synthesis and wound healing.

  Topically soothing (folk use): Mashed pineapple is traditionally used on skin for acne or inflammation (note: may be too strong for sensitive skin).

  Antioxidant (moderate): Protects skin from environmental damage when consumed regularly.

• Liver/Detoxification System

  Liver stimulant (mild): Encourages natural detoxification via enzymatic action.

  Burns toxins (mild): Bromelain helps digest lingering proteins and supports cleansing.

  Hypolipidemic (mild): May assist in reducing fat accumulation when paired with a clean diet.

• Endocrine/Energy System

  Stimulates energy (moderate): Quick carbohydrate source, increases mental and physical alertness.

  Adrenal tonic (mild): Vitamin C supports adrenal recovery from stress.

  Builds core vitality (moderate): Replenishes fluids and micronutrients.

• Urinary System

  Diuretic (mild): Encourages urine flow and may reduce fluid retention.

  Flushes heat and waste (mild): Gently supports cooling of the urinary tract.

  Anti-inflammatory (mild): May calm irritated urinary membranes.

• Muscuskeletal System

• Endocannaboid System

  Item description

• Reproductive system

  Uterine stimulant (folk caution): Traditionally avoided during pregnancy due to bromelain’s enzymatic activity (mostly anecdotal).

  Builds reproductive fluids (mild): Hydrating and restorative in post-ovulatory or depleted states.

  Aphrodisiac (folk use): Considered sweet and uplifting in spring or summer tonics.

• Respiratory System

  Expectorant (mild–moderate): Breaks up mucus in the lungs and sinuses.

  Decongestant (mild): Clears excess phlegm, especially in upper respiratory tract.

  Soothes throat (mild): When juiced or blended with warm herbs, helps with scratchy or inflamed throat.

• References

  Murray, M.T. (2003). The Healing Power of Foods. Three Rivers Press.
  → Discusses pineapple’s actions as a digestive enzyme, detoxifier, and anti-inflammatory food.

  Duke, J.A. (2000). Handbook of Medicinal Herbs (2nd ed.). CRC Press.
  → Lists pineapple as antioxidant, digestive stimulant, and anti-inflammatory.

  Braga, P.C., et al. (2012). “Bromelain, a proteolytic enzyme and its clinical application.” Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, vol. 2012.
  → Details anti-inflammatory, fibrinolytic, and immune-modulating actions of bromelain.

  Grieve, M. (1931). A Modern Herbal. Dover Publications.
  → Historical context of pineapple as a cooling, clearing, and digestive food.

  USDA FoodData Central. (2024). Pineapple, raw.
  → Provides macronutrient and micronutrient composition.