Pomegranates, these delicious fruits have been around for thousands of years; originating in Persia, and spreading throughout the Mediterranean.
The pomegranate tree is believed to have been cultivated as early as 4000 BCE, making it one of the oldest known cultivated fruits in human history.
If you slice a pomegranate in half, inside you will see separate areas filled of hundreds of small red edible seeds.
The seeds are eaten raw. And they can be sprinkled in a salad or eaten just plain.
The seeds can also be processed into pomegranate juice, as well as pomegranate seed oil.
Parts Used: seeds, juice and peel
Uses: seeds - seeds are delicious in salads, smoothies and eating as is. Juice is typically used for drinks, cooking and smoothies.
Medicinal Properties:
Anti-inflammatory properties aid in soothing irritated skin, lessening redness, improving skin tone evenness, and calming inflamed skin.
Internally, the anti inflammatory properties aid in assisting the body in the lessoning of chronic inflammation. Which ties in with just about any and all health issues you can think of.
Antioxidant properties:
reducing inflammation, improving immune function, and preventing disease.
antimicrobial:
stops the growth of microorganisms, such as bacteria and viruses.
Symbolism:
often seen as symbols of fertility, abundance, and life in various cultures and traditions.
In Greek mythology, Persephone's consumption of pomegranate seeds in the underworld, bound her to return there for part of each year, symbolizing the cycle of seasons.
Root Chakra:
The color red is associated with the root chakra. Nourishing one's body with the pomegranate seeds and juice, using the red pomegranate powder can assist one's body back into balance while supporting the root chakra energy, promoting grounding, stability and a sense of safety and security.
The seeds, peels and juice are packed with magnesium, vitamins A, C, E, K and B vitamins.
Also antioxidants that work by protecting and repairing our cells from cellular damage.
What causes this type of cellular damage?
Diets that lack fruits and vegetables, consuming too many unhealthy fats, the artificial colors, flavorings and other chemicals in our foods, drinking water, bath and beauty products.
Air pollution, smoking, stress, lack of sleep. All these factors are what contribute to the weakening of, and damage to, our inner cellular structure.
Over time this can lead to an imbalance in our bodies, which can then lead to the manifestation of illnesses and diseases such as;
colds
flu
heart disease
cancers
diabetes
high blood pressure
auto-immune disease
skin issues
fibromyalgia
arthritis
Dried pomegranate peel can be used in creating tea blends. I love mixing with dried orange peels and Roselle hibiscus. Mixing in a little cinnamon and or cardamom is delicious too.
One of my favorite things to do is grind the peels into a powder, then mix a small amount with my facial clays.
Skin Care Benefits:
antioxidants for helping with hyperpigmentation. Brightens skin tone, leaving a healthy glow.
Hydration: a natural source of hydration for moisturizing skin.
Cell regeneration: vitamin A, for supporting cell regeneration and promoting collagen and elastin production.
Collagen synthesis: vitamin C, for collagen synthesis. “Vitamin C is required for the enzymes that help build collagen.”
Cough and cold relief:
The juice is a bit on the bitter side. However, if you can work past that, your immune system will thank you.
Drinking 2 ounces a day throughout the winter season, think colds and flu, is said to give the immune system a boost.
Mixing a small amount of the powder with raw honey can aide in soothing sore, inflamed throats. This can be added to warm tea, or taken by teaspoon.