The pomegranate originated in the region extending from Iran to northern India and has been cultivated since ancient times throughout the Mediterranean region.
The fruit is typically in season in the Northern Hemisphere from October to February. In the Southern Hemisphere; March to May.
Its juice is used in baking, cooking, juice blends, meal garnishes, smoothies, and alcoholic beverages, such as cocktails and wine.
Pomegranates are widely cultivated throughout the Middle East and Caucasus region, north and tropical Africa, the Indian subcontinent, Central Asia, the drier parts of Southeast Asia, and the Mediterranean Basin.
Categorized as a berry, the fruit is about 5 to12 cm in diameter. Round and looks like a red apple with a flower-shaped stem.
Its skin is thick and inedible and has hundreds of edible seeds within. Each seed is surrounded by a red, juicy, and sweet seed covering known as an aril. They are rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals and also contain some sugar.
The seeds and arils are edible parts and can be eaten raw or processed into pomegranate juice.
Making the Pomegranate juice.
1. Put the pomegranate seeds into the blender and pulse for 5-10 seconds.
2. Pour the juice through a strainer and press to separate the juice from the seeds.
What can you get from the juice? Punicalagins; extremely potent antioxidants. It is responsible for more than 50% of the juice’s potent antioxidant activity. Punicalagins inhibit the activity of enzymes that break collagen. Now collagen is the protein found in the bones, muscles, skin, and tendons.
Extracting Pomegranate oil
Put 1 ounce of pomegranate seeds into a pot. Put the crock pot at a low heat setting. Allow the oil to cook for six hours.
What can you get from the oil? Punicic acid. It is Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a fatty acid found in meat and dairy and is a popular weight loss supplement.
Pomegranate Juice Face mask
Pomegranate juice has been used as a face mask, for your skin. Just mix the juice with bentonite or Aztec clay and then stir it thoroughly. Apply it to your face and let it rest for an hour. Gently rinse it off.
Pomegranate Juice Face mask plus clay
A small twist. Use of pomegranate juice instead of water to the clay. You’ll get extra booze of nutrients and a nice smelling aroma while waiting for the clay to dry.
You can buy some bentonite clay from your local health food store and mix a tablespoon with pure pomegranate juice to make a clay mask. Stir together to mix well, let it sit on your face for an hour or so, and wash off gently.
Pomegranate scrub
Mix the following ingredients
1. tablespoon pomegranate seeds
2. two tablespoons brown sugar
3. two tablespoons of honey
4. two tablespoons of avocado oil
5. one tablespoon of orange peel.
Use it daily for a few minutes for the best results.
Ground seeds and Exfoliant
Ground the seeds of the pomegranate. The grind releases all of its nutrients onto your skin, enriching it from the outside in. Wash your face afterwards.
Pomegranate juice as an astringent or toner.
After cleansing your skin, immediately apply as a toner of pomegranate juice and apple cider vinegar.
As you can see, pomegranate has many uses. The challenge is getting constant supply since it is a seasonal fruit. And the processing takes some time. Thermalabs’ Pomegranate Shea Butter will make life easier for you. Check it out by clicking here.
