Lucija Kračun, MD
Specialist of family practise
AAAMED diploma for aesthetic medicine
Pomegranate – a symbol of abundance and fertility for many cultures, a source of health and food for centuries, the inspiration for many works of art, the “fruit of the dead” from the blood of Adonis; the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden with which Eve seduced Adam … All this and much more is hidden behind this wonderful fruit, which is a real treasure trove of health.
Pomegranate seeds contain 22% oil. Pomegranate oil is very special due to its composition. It contains punicic acid, also known as omega 5, which makes up 80% of triglycerides. This rare fatty acid from all plant sources is found only in pomegranate seed oil. It has strong anti-inflammatory properties and is an excellent antioxidant. Pomegranate is one of the best plants with anti-age effect in the world. The oil contains 17 -alpha-estradiol and estrone – phytoestrogens, which have a positive hormonal effect on the skin. The oil has excellent rejuvenating effects. It removes free radicals, thus slowing down skin aging and promoting collagen formation. Due to gallic and egalic acid, it repairs skin damaged by the sun.
In laboratory research on cultures of human and animal skin cells and tissues, it has been shown to have antioxidant, photoprotective, anti – inflammatory and antitumor effects. The oil is rich in vitamin E.
Pomegranate - for the health
Pomegranate is a rich source of antioxidants, so it is attributed too many anticancer and anti – inflammatory effects, and some recommend it as a supplement to conventional therapy for cardiovascular disease and some forms of cancer. Studies in mice have shown that the addition of pomegranate or pomegranate juice significantly improves the condition of atherosclerosis, has anti – inflammatory effects and lowers blood pressure. The first laboratory studies thus served with promising results, which now need to be confirmed or refuted by clinical studies that will show whether potential positive effects can be expected in humans as well. Be careful with various food products that promise miracles. These are exclusively dietary supplements that strengthen the immune system and thus have a supportive effect on the body.
COMPOSITION AND PROPERTIES OF POMEGRANATE
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SYMBOLS OF POMEGRANATE
The myth of Persephone - the goddess of the underworld
Demetra gave birth to Zeus’ daughter Persephone, the goddess of the underworld. One day, Persephone was playing in the meadow when Hades came out of the ground and kidnapped the girl. When the omniscient god Helios told to Demetra what had happened, she asked Zeus to bring Persephone back to life. Zeus was willing to please Demetra, but only in case Persephone ate nothing in the underworld. Had, however, had already married Persephone by this time. He tricked her that she had eaten six pomegranate seeds and therefore had to spend six months each year with him in the underworld. As the grieving Demeter began to neglect her divine duties and no longer cared for the earth and the growth of food, a severe famine ensued.
Zeus saw that the people would fail and made a compromise with Hades – Persephone would be with her mother in spring and summer, and with Hades in autumn and winter. Hence the explanation for the change of seasons.
Walk through the history
