Pomegranates are popping out all over my neighborhood and I’m so excited about their powers! Pomegranates pack a powerful punch for your natural beauty and for your natural health and while they’re available for the next few months, should be used in your beauty regimen and on your plates. Pomegranate juice, popular in the Middle East, is now touted as one of the “superfruits” like acai and goji berries. Pomegranates have been shown to have more antioxidants than green tea. A 100 ml-serving of pomegranate juice contains 16 percent of the daily adult requirement of vitamin C, as well as pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), folic acid, potassium and iron.
The pomegranate appears in a lot of ancient literature, from Rumi to Shakespeare. Some say the forbidden fruit of the Bible was not the apple after all, but a pomegranate fruit (which makes sense because the ruby red pomegranate is native to the Middle East. Pomegranates, like most foods that are considered aphrodisiacs, look juicy and sexy. A recent study in London showed that men and women who drank one glass of pomegranate juice a day for 14 days had a significant increase in testosterone, and increased sex drive.
Pomegranates are also powerful potions for your natural beauty. Pomegranate oil is used in hot oil treatments prior to shampooing for dry, frizzy hair. For strengthening nails and conditioning cuticles, apply the fruit’s oils to the nails or soak your fingers in it before a manicure. It’s especially helpful to repair any damage right after removing gel nails.
Here are a few benefits to drinking pomegranate juice:
1. Pomegranates, once again, have more antioxidants than even one of our other favorites – green tea. Antioxidants lower your risk of heart disease and cancer, and have powerful anti-aging results.
2. Pomegranates also have anti-inflammatory properties and help to decrease the incidence and damage caused by osteoarthritis.
3. A study conducted by the Harvard Medical School, showed that pomegranate juice slowed down the proliferation of prostate cancer cells, great news for men.
4. Pomegranates also contain phytonutrients which can suppress estrogen production that slows the growth of breast cancer cells.
5. Pomegranates significantly lower blood pressure and reduce the amount of arterial plaque buildup which can lead to cardiovascular disease.
6. Pomegranates have been shown to inhibit the aggregation of abnormal platelets which can cause strokes and heart attacks.
7. Pomegranates are packed full of vitamin A which decreases wrinkles and helps to prevent the aging of your skin.
8. Pomegranates are a good remedy for skin damaged by sun exposure.
POMEGRANATE FACE SCRUB for healthy, glowing skin
Ingredients
- 1 TBL. Honey (preferably organic)
- 3 TBL. Olive oil
- 3 TBL. packed brown sugar
- 2 TBL. fresh whole pomegranate seeds
Place the sugar in a bowl and slowly pour in the olive oil and honey, mixing to create a smooth paste (add more oil if it’s too dry, or more sugar if it’s too wet). Stir in fresh pomegranate seeds, trying not to smash too many. Apply the mixture to your face, gently pushing on the seeds to release the juice. The bursting seeds will give your skin a healthy, rosy glow. Massage the scrub gently into your skin for 5 minutes. The rinse very well with warm water.
POMEGRANATE MARTINI
This is a favorite drink of one of our favorite people, Oprah Winfrey –
2 oz vodka
1 oz Cointreau or Controy orange liqueur
6 oz pomegranate juice
Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker 1/4 filled with chopped ice. Shake and strain into a cocktail glass. Serve with a squeeze of lemon.
Serves 2.
