11/29/2013
August 5, 2011 by Mukti Leave a Comment
Pomegranate: ancient fruit, modern skin healer
pomegranate seeds
Antioxidant-rich pomegranate seeds
It’s plump, it’s juicy and it’s one of history’s most revered natural remedies — it’s the ever-so-pretty pomegranate.
We absolutely love this divine ruby-coloured wonder fruit for its powerful antioxidant properties and its nourishing effect on skin.
Native to Iran, Saudi Arabia, Northern India, Bengal, and Southern Asia, it is cultivated widely throughout the Middle East, India, southeast Asia, and parts of Africa.
The succulent pomegranate features prominently in the mythological and spiritual traditions of cultures around the world, with every part of the plant (root, bark, flowers, fruit, leaves) used for healing in Ayurvedic medicine.
Pomegranate oil is an incredibly nutrient-rich oil, and one of the more expensive oils due to the fact it takes around 90 kilos of fresh pomegranates to make half a kilo of oil!
A 2006 study from the University of Michigan Medical School showed that pomegranate oil promotes regeneration of the epidermis and researchers from the University of Wisconsin found it had potential anti-cancer effects.
Pomegranate oil is packed with antioxidants and contains polyphenols, powerful antioxidants known to fight free radicals that damage and age the skin. The oil extends the life of fibroblasts, the cells that give skin its strength and resilience and are responsible for the production of collagen and elastin.
The oil is also one of the only plant sources of punicic acid. Taken from the botanical name for pomegranate, Punica granatum, this potent omega-5 oil is a compound closely related to conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which is being studied for its anti-cancer properties. Not only that, it’s loaded with vitamins A, B5, B6, C, E, K, potassium, folic acid and iron.
Fast facts about pomegranates:
There are over 700 varieties of pomegranate
Ancient Egyptians were often buried with pomegranates.
The English word ‘pomegranate’ comes from the Latin words for apple (‘pomum‘ — apple) and seeded (‘granatus’).
It is thought that pomegranates contain more antioxidants than green tea or red wine.
Mukti organics currently offers two lush products containing certified organic pomegranate oil:
Nourishing facial creme — new and improved with kakadu plum and pomegranate
Antioxiant facial serum