INCI names: PUNICA GRANATUM FRUIT EXTRACT | PUNICA GRANATUM SEED OIL
Origin
There are numerous cultivated and some ornamental forms of Punica Granatum. Originally native to Persia, the pomegranate, also known as grenadine, is a member of the loosestrife family (Lythraceae). Today’s range includes the Mediterranean region, the Near East, South Africa, southern Asia, China, Australia, the southwestern USA and South America.
Punica granatum is a tree that grows up to 15 meters high and can live for several hundred years. That is another reason why it is considered a symbol of fertility and longevity. Punica granatum prefers hot and dry climate and has low demands on soil quality.
Active ingredients
Tannins:
Fruit peels, stem bark and leaves contain ellagitannins, the composition of which varies somewhat depending on the plant part. The fruit peels contain 25 – 28 % tannins with punicalin and punicalagin as the main components.
Alkaloids:
Punica granatum contains piperidine alkaloids in almost all parts of the plant, with higher levels in wild pomegranate trees than in cultivated forms.
Phenols:
The fruit peels, leaves and flowers contain ellagic acid, which is accompanied by gallic acid in fruit peels and flowers.
Terpenes, steroids:
All parts of the plant contain abundant triterpenes as well as small amounts of sterols. Thus sitosterol, stigmasterol, ursolic and betulinic acid are found.
Fatty acids:
Among the fatty acids, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid and especially punicic acid are worth mentioning. This polyunsaturated conjugated fatty acid with 3 double bonds belongs to the omega-5 fatty acids and has exceptionally high antioxidant properties.
Other:
The fruit juice contains boric acid, oxalic acid, malic acid and ascorbic acid, as well as numerous free amino acids.
Effect
Pomegranate has a long tradition in folk medicine and was considered an aphrodisiac in ancient times. In recent years, various studies have been published on antifungal, anti-inflammatory, wound healing and antioxidant effects. Furthermore, various reports have appeared about positive effects of pomegranate on lipid metabolism.
- has antifungal effect
- is anti-inflammatory
- has antioxidant effect
Use
Extracts from pomegranate have skin nourishing and strong antioxidant effect. Pomegranate seed oil contains phytohormone17-alpha-estradiol with strong antioxidant and hormonal harmonizing effect. It also promotes cell proliferation, increases skin elasticity and regenerates tissue.