Pomegranates as Natural Medicine
Pomegranates
Where to begin with these ancient beauties. Autumn brings us a delight-filled passionate gem. Awkward on the outside and trying to get inside to the little rubies is like opening a well wrapped Christmas gift. Once the juice is running down your arms, you know you have struck it rich. And rich it is. As with most winter fruits and vegetables, the concentration of nutrients packed inside is worth your time and effort.
There is a skill to the peel…
- WASH and scrub the outside for pesticide residue
- Cut a cone shape out of the top without cutting into the fruit
- Cut a flat circle off the bottom
- Score along the outside veins from top to bottom
- Break apart the wedges
Now it should be easy to peel off the dividing skins and have yourself a mouth full of bursting packets of Pure Joy! I love watching my kids break into them, delighted each time they rescue a seed from its captive cell. One great thing for kids is they can set it down and come back to it later.
Juicing the Pomegranate is my favorite way to enjoy it!
Not having much time to lackadaisically release each seed as my kids do, I enjoy the bursting fresh flavors juiced.
If you use a grinding juicer, you can reap the benefits of the oils in the seeds as well. Pomegranate seed oil is an extremely rich and nutritious oil, which may be used for internally or externally for its cosmetic and medicinal properties. Pomegranate seed extract and juice have been popular lately for their anti-oxidant properties, and pomegranate seed oil is proving to be even more beneficial. Not only does pomegranate seed oil contain high levels of anti-oxidants that fight free radicals and skin aging, but the oil is also a potent source of punicic and ellagic acids. A small randomized controlled trial involving 19 patients with carotid artery stenosis found that pomegranate juice, which is high in ellagic acid, appeared to reduce blood pressure and carotid artery wall thickness.[16] A 2005 controlled study of 48 patients undergoingchemotherapy for prostate cancer found that ellagic acid supplementation reduced the rate of chemotherapy-associated neutropenia (though there were no cases of severe neutropenia in either the ellagic acid or control group). Ellagic acid supplementation did not improve overall or progression-free survival of patients with prostate cancer in this trial.[17]
JUICING Pom:
- Simply slice in halves and use a Citrus Press as you would juice an orange
OR
- Wash and peel the outside skin from the fruit as instructed above and juice the dividing white skins which are high in pectin and the entire seed (s)!
Pomegranates History a Naturopathic Medicine:
Historically, Pomegranates have been known to help hypertension, congestive heart failure (CHF), myocardial ischemia, atherosclerosis, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, acidosis, hemorrhage, HIV disease, tapeworm infestations, and opportunistic intestinal worms. It is also used for preventing prostate cancer, obesity and weight loss, and as an astringent, for diarrhea and dysentery, and as an abortifacient. Other uses include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), menopausal symptoms, influenza, swine flu, stomatitis, periodontal disease, erectile dysfunction, neonatal ischemia, diabetes, and cancer.
Topically, pomegranate is used as a gargle for sore throat and to treat hemorrhoids.
Pomegranate Seed Oil Profile
Botanical Name- Punica granatum
Origin- China
Extraction- Cold Pressed/Unrefined
Shelf life- 2 years recommended
Kosher Certified- Yes
Notes- A relatively stable oil that may be incorporated into skin care recipes or administered as a stand alone application. It is also suitable for food use as a dietary supplement. Certified organic through OTCO.
Specifications
Color- Soft Amber
Odor- Characteristic/Slightly Fruity
Free Fatty Acids- 2.8
Peroxide Value- 3.60
Iodine Value-
Specific Gravity- 0.939
Saponification Value- 190
pH-
Fatty Acids
Linoleic- 7.1
Oleic- 6.2
Palmitic- 3.1
Punicic- 78.0
Stearic- 2.7
