NAHA | Pomegrante Seed Oil

By Daybreak Shipley Rodriguez, Registered Aromatherapist

Pomegranate (Punica granatum) seed oil has been certainly one of my favorites for years for its thick, luxurious really feel, delicate nice scent, and noticeably nourishing advantages. The fruit, named for the Latin pomum (apple) and granatus (seeded),¹ is taken into account a superfood² and the oil derived from the seeds is fairly tremendous as nicely. Boasting a singular fatty acid profile and far more, it’s a welcome addition to any aromatherapist’s toolkit. For those who’ve not used this oil earlier than, you’re in for an actual deal with if you do. 

The pomegranate (Punica granatum) fruit, which is technically a berry, grows to the dimensions of an orange or grapefruit with its rounded hexagonal form and thick reddish pores and skin over a mass of round 600 seeds. It grows on a deciduous shrub reaching 5 to eight toes in peak with shiny, slender, rectangular leaves and pink flowers that always have 5 petals (although presumably extra when cultivated). It used to belong to its circle of relatives, Punicaceae, however has been reclassified into the Lythraceae household of flowering crops. The shrub is native to areas of Iran and the Himalayas in northern India, and now can also be cultivated all through the Mediterranean, areas of Southeast Asia, Malaysia, the East Indies, tropical Africa, California and Arizona.²

The pomegranate (Punica granatum) has been extremely regarded and used symbolically in lots of cultures and religions for greater than 4000 years. It’s seen in tales of Hera and Persephone in Greek mythology,³ within the E book of Exodus, Torah and Quran, and even in Egyptian tombs, together with King Tut’s.⁴ Additionally it is considered one of many first crops cultivated for its helpful properties based mostly on excavations of the Early Bronze Age (3500-2000 BC).⁵

The oil is extracted via chilly urgent the seeds of the fruit, although now there’s a CO2 extracted model as nicely that has an extended shelf life than the chilly pressed oil. It may be yellow to reddish in colour with a lightweight attribute scent⁶ that I discover kind of candy and nutty and a notice of a recent yeast-like scent. 

Chemical Make-Up

Pomegranate (Punica granatum) seed oil’s uniqueness begins with punicic acid, an omega-5 lengthy chain polyunsaturated fatty acid which incorporates three conjugated double bonds giving it an uncommon kind that causes the oil to really feel thick and wealthy on the pores and skin and aids in its efficient supply to the tissues. It might steadiness pH, situation the floor of the pores and skin, and act as an anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and cell regenerator. Punicic acid is known as for the pomegranate, by which it was discovered, and the focus is the very best. It’s virtually unique to the pomegranate, although it may be present in two gourd seeds as nicely.⁷

Don’t suppose that the superb content material stops there, although. Pomegranate (Punica granatum) seed oil incorporates roughly 93mg/kg of whole polyphenols, 59mg/kg of flavonoids, 30mg/kg of O-Diphenols, 3mg/kg B-Carotene.⁹ The polyphenols embrace ellagic and gallic acids concerned in supporting and sustaining collagen and therapeutic wounds respectively.¹⁰ Tocopherol content material, which protects towards free radicals and might also have an anti-inflammatory impact on the pores and skin,¹¹ is 177mg/100g, which is generally comprised of γ-tocopherol at 153mg/100g. Whereas whole sterol content material is round 539mg/100g, most being β-sitosterol at 374mg/100g, which have been proven to assist lower lipid peroxidation and extra.¹²

Therapeutic Properties

As talked about, pomegranate (Punica granatum) was considered one of many first crops cultivated for its helpful properties. Historically the leaves, seeds, juice, flowers, bark and roots have been all used for his or her numerous results, of which a few of the most necessary are reducing fever, treating diabetes, diarrhea and ulcers, in addition to stopping bleeding and performing as a blood tonic.¹³

Current makes use of for the oil embrace each topical and inner. The oil’s fundamental options are its antioxidant and anti inflammatory exercise, ensuing from inhibition of lipid per oxidation and neutrophil-activation and extra. In addition to offering exogenous antioxidants, research have proven the oil to raise ranges of endogenous antioxidants glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Research have additionally proven inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX), lipoxygenase (LOX), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), aiding the anti-inflammatory impact. 

Systemic advantages embrace neuroprotective exercise, lower in insulin resistance/weight problems, and enhancements in reminiscence, nephroprotective and hepatoprotective exercise. It additionally reveals potential anti-atherogenic (by reducing triaclyglyceride), anti-menopausal signs (decreased sizzling flashes per day, and so on.), anti-osteoporosis (by growing alkaline phosphatase exercise and extra), anti-pancreatitis (by discount in amylase and lipase exercise in serum and extra) and presumably even anti-tumor advantages (by inducing apoptosis and extra).¹⁴

Topical Advantages to the Pores and skin   

• Balances pH
• Circumstances of the pores and skin’s floor
• Antioxidant
• Anti-inflammatory
• Anti-microbial
• Cell regenerating
• Deeply penetrating
• Heals wounds
• Soothes burns
• Helps and rebuilds collagen
• Supplies added thickness to pores and skin
• Protecting towards free radical injury/environmental publicity ¹⁵
• UVA and UVB protecting.¹⁶ 

Utilization/Shelf Life/Cautions

I discover shelf life for the chilly pressed oil listed as little as six months¹⁷ and as much as two years when saved correctly away from warmth and lightweight.¹⁸ The shelf lifetime of the CO2 extract when saved correctly is 2 years.¹⁹

There aren’t any identified contraindications topically. I’ve not discovered a instructed utilization quantity for the chilly pressed oil, however utilization of the CO2 extract is recommended at 2-10% as an additive or greater as wanted. For inner use, seek the advice of an skilled in fragrant or dietary drugs.²⁰

Tremendous Softening Pores and skin Serum

This can be a little bit of an indulgent mix, however the really feel is so luxuriously thick and clean, I’ve positively fallen in love with it. Good for mature, dry, broken and delicate pores and skin. Trace: Feels nice on dry, chapped arms!

Service Oils:

0.5-oz. pomegranate (Punica granatum) seed oil
   or CO2 extract

0.2-oz. borage (Borago officinalis L.) seed oil
    or CO2 extract

0.8-oz. apricot (Prunus armeniaca) kernel oil 

Important Oils:

2 drops jasmine (Jasminum grandiflorum L.)

5 drops yellow mandarin (Citrus reticulata)

2 drops Roman chamomile (Anthemis nobilis)

Four drops candy orange (Citrus sinensis)

To Make: Combine all the elements collectively in a 2-oz. hermetic jar and retailer the mix in a cool, dry place.

To Use: Apply a dime-sized quantity gently as wanted to pores and skin. 

Cautions: For grownup use solely.

Therapeutic and Enjoyable Bathtub Soak

Although I initially was not proud of the scent of this mix, as soon as I added it to the water, the oil scent subsided, and the important oil scents actually blossomed. My pores and skin felt mushy afterwards, and I had such a sense of renewed peace. 

Substances:

0.3-oz. pomegranate (Punica granatum) seed oil 

4-oz. Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate)

Important Oils:

Four drops lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

Three drops black spruce (Picea mariana)

1 drop Australian sandalwood (Santalum spicatum)

To Make: Add important oils to pomegranate seed oil in an appropriate sized container. Combine collectively. Put salt in small bowl, add the oil mix, and stir collectively. 

To Use: Add two tablespoons to a tub of heat water. Stir till salt is dissolved. Soak as desired, from fifteen minutes as much as an hour.

Cautions: Discontinue use instantly if irritation happens. Grownup use solely.

References

1. “Pomegranate.” New World Encyclopedia. Accessed April 27, 2020 from: https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Pomegranate. 

2. Kerkhof, Madeleine. CO2 Extracts in Aromatherapy. Madeleine Kerkhof, Wernhout (NL), 2018. 1st English Version, p. 42-43. 

3. “Pomegranate.” New World Encyclopedia. Accessed April 27, 2020 from: https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Pomegranate. 

4. Kerkhof, Madeleine. CO2 Extracts in Aromatherapy. Madeleine Kerkhof, Wernhout (NL), 2018. 1st English Version, p. 42-43.

5. Boroushaki, Mohammad Taher & Mollazadeh, Hamid & Afshari, Amir R. (2016). “Pomegranate seed oil: A complete evaluate on its therapeutic results.” Worldwide Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Analysis. 7. 430-442. 10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.7 (2).430-42. 

6. Kerkhof, Madeleine. CO2 Extracts in Aromatherapy. Madeleine Kerkhof, Wernhout (NL), 2018. 1st English Version, p. 42-43. 

7. Parker, Susan M. Energy of the Seed: Your information to oils for well being and sweetness. 1st Version. Susan M Parker, 2014, p. 168-169.

8. Parker, Susan M. Energy of the Seed: Your information to oils for well being and sweetness. 1st Version. Susan M Parker, 2014, p. 289.

9. Amri, Zahra et al. “Oil Characterization and Lipids Class Composition of Pomegranate Seeds.” BioMed analysis worldwide vol. 2017 (2017): 2037341. doi:10.1155/2017/2037341

10. Parker, Susan M. Energy of the Seed: Your information to oils for well being and sweetness. 1st Version. Susan M Parker, 2014, p. 168-169. 

11. Jill Seladi-Schulman, PhD, Debra Rose Wilson, PhD, MSN, RN, IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT. Tocopheryl Acetate: Does It Actually Work? Accessed April 28, 2020 from: https://www.healthline.com/well being/tocopheryl-acetate.

12. Amri, Zahra et al. “Oil Characterization and Lipids Class Composition of Pomegranate Seeds.” BioMed analysis worldwide vol. 2017 (2017): 2037341. doi:10.1155/2017/2037341

13. Boroushaki, Mohammad Taher & Mollazadeh, Hamid & Afshari, Amir R. (2016). “Pomegranate seed oil: A complete evaluate on its therapeutic results.” Worldwide Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Analysis. 7. 430-442. 10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.7 (2).430-42. 

14. Boroushaki, Mohammad Taher & Mollazadeh, Hamid & Afshari, Amir R. (2016). “Pomegranate seed oil: A complete evaluate on its therapeutic results.” Worldwide Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Analysis. 7. 430-442. 10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.7 (2).430-42.

15. Parker, Susan M. Energy of the Seed: Your information to oils for well being and sweetness. 1st Version. Susan M Parker, 2014, p. 168-169.

16. Kerkhof, Madeleine. CO2 Extracts in Aromatherapy. Madeleine Kerkhof, Wernhout (NL), 2018. 1st English Version, p. 42-43.

17. Kerkhof, Madeleine. CO2 Extracts in Aromatherapy. Madeleine Kerkhof, Wernhout (NL), 2018. 1st English Version, p. 42-43.

18. “Pomegranate Natural Service Oil.” New Instructions Aromatics. Accessed Might 1, 2020 from: https://www.newdirectionsaromatics.com/merchandise/carrier-oils/pomegranate-organic-carrier-oil.html

19. Kerkhof, Madeleine. CO2 Extracts in Aromatherapy. Madeleine Kerkhof, Wernhout (NL), 2018. 1st English Version, p. 42-43. 

20. Kerkhof, Madeleine. CO2 Extracts in Aromatherapy. Madeleine Kerkhof, Wernhout (NL), 2018. 1st English Version, p. 42-43. 

About Daybreak Shipley Rodriguez:

Daybreak Shipley Rodriguez graduated from the Sedona Aromatics Linguistics of AromaticsTM Program, finishing a 250-hour Certificates in Skilled Aromatherapy. She is a Registered Aromatherapist (RA), Home Aromatherapy Artist at Cote d’Azur Spa in Pasadena, CA, and founding father of Blue Daybreak Aromatherapy, which she created to advertise high quality of life via aromatherapy based mostly pure skincare and wellness merchandise. Daybreak additionally hosts rest events to coach others on the significance of self-care in our day by day lives, and at Cote d’Azur she presents a Customized Aromatherapy Expertise, entailing personalizing a mix to take residence. She additionally likes to create customized skincare merchandise for each retail and wholesale prospects, and loves to coach others on every little thing about aromatherapy, well being and skincare. Daybreak can also be the NAHA Regional Director for Southern California. For extra details about Daybreak, go to her web site at:
www.bluedawnaromatherapy.com