By: Ivana Dragica |
Pomegranate – a fruit that cures inside and outside |
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Pomegranate, lat. Punica granatum, is one of the oldest fruit varieties known to mankind.
Record about it can be found in many cultures and religions.
This nutritive fruit is rich in antioxidants and it has always been regarded as a symbol of health, fertility and eternal life.
Its juice, seeds and oil are very popular.
Many studies have confirmed that this is one of the best healing fruits in the world due to its positive effects on cardiovascular, nervous and bone system.
Pomegranate’s content and healing properties
This fruit is a great source of vitamin B5, potassium, natural phenols such as ellagitannin, and flavonoids.
One hundred milligrams of pomegranate contain 16% of daily recommended amounts of vitamin C.
It also contains phytochemicals that enhance serotonin creation for better mood and estrogen for maintaining bone mass. That discovery is extremely important for osteoporosis prevention.
Clinical studies show that compounds found in pomegranate only, called punicalagins, have a beneficent influence on the health of our heart and blood vessels. They lower cholesterol level and blood pressure and accelerate decomposition of sediments in blood vessels.
Punicalagins are the main source of antioxidative properties of pomegranate.
Besides the benefits to heart and blood vessels, compounds in pomegranate inhibit the growth of breast, prostate and colon cancer and leukemia and also inhibit changes that enhance tumor growth.
It is proven that one glass of pomegranate juice a day has a stronger antioxidative effect than a glass of red wine or green tea, while its extract can achieve 10 times greater results.
For strengthening immune system and health problem prevention, experts suggest a daily consumption of 2.5 deciliters of freshly squeezed or high quality brand pomegranate juice.
Pomegranate benefits include:
- lowers the risk of several types of cancer
- protects against osteoporosis and Alzheimer’s disease
- strengthens immunity
- protects teeth health
- slows down aging process
- protects heart and blood vessels
- enhances erectile function
- increases sperm quality
Pomegranate oil
Pomegranate oil is rich and nutritive and can be administered locally or orally in cosmetic or medicinal purposes.
It has estrogenic, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties.
Researches show that this oil protects against cancer, diabetes, obesity and heart diseases.
Richness of antioxidants makes this oil a powerful ally against aging.
Punicalagic and elagic acids heal and hydrate dry, tired and irritated skin.
It gives elasticity to skin and at the same time fights eczema, psoriasis and sunburn. Fatty acids in this oil reduce swellings and muscle pain.
It is filled with phytoestrogens that alleviate menopause and pre-menopause symptoms such as hot flashes, mood changes, night sweats and lack of libido.
Pomegranate oil can be used locally, orally or for massage.
As a skincare product it is usually mixed with other base oils in order to accelerate its adsorption trough skin and to enhance its texture and feeling on the skin.
It is used for making soaps, massage oils, luxury face cosmetics and other beauty products.
Culinary application
Pomegranate is used for making jelly, cakes, syrups, juices, liqueurs, wine, vinegar and tea.
Vinegar
Chop one or two pomegranate fruits and put them into a bottle together with peels. Pour one liter of apple cider vinegar over it and leave it for 30 days and then filter it. It is recommended as a spice for salads for people suffering from amebas or other intestinal parasites.
Greek yoghurt with pomegranate
Ingredients:
- 1 l of Greek yogurt
- 2 spoons of honey
- 1/2 spoon of orange flower water
- 1 big pomegranate
Mix all ingredients and serve them with mint leaves and integral biscuits.
Pomegranate sorbet
Ingredients:
- 3 cups of cold pomegranate juice
- half of cup of honey or agave syrup
- 1 lemon juice
Mix pomegranate juice with honey or agave syrup and add lemon juice. Leave the mixture for 3 hours in the freezer and enjoy this extremely healthy desert.
Picking and storing
Pomegranate grows in a form of bush, it blossoms in the summer and ripens in late autumn. It is planted on a southern hills (because it needs a lot of sunlight) and on locations where it is protected against the wind. Fruits are round and heavy and they stop ripening after they are picked, so pomegranate will not become sweeter if you leave it to stay for a while.
You can keep pomegranate fruits at room temperature for a month or for 2 months in the freezer. Peeled pomegranate can be stored in the freezer for up to one year. Freshly squeezed juice can stay in the fridge for up to three days.
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