The small pomegranate tree originally came from Asia. It has been cultivated around the Mediterranean for 5,000 years. It is said to be the tree of knowledge in the Garden of Eden, from which, according to tradition, Eve picked the famous fruit. Since then, we women have admittedly been at a disadvantage. But this brings to mind a slogan on my daughter’s T-shirt: ‘Eve, thank you for sex and science.’
Perhaps clever Eve, as the first naturalist and herbalist, sensed how valuable this apple is. For the pomegranate was not only regarded as an apple of love in antiquity and dedicated to Aphrodite. For thousands of years, it has also been part of traditional practices in the Mediterranean countries. The pomegranate was also a symbol of longevity and was celebrated for its vitality-giving properties.
Much about this tree is extremely unusual, especially its particularly valuable and expensive oil, which is obtained from the small, rock-hard seeds of the fruit. When eating pomegranates, I always found them extremely annoying. But they hide a treasure. Scientific studies have shown that the juice and seeds are packed with highly valuable ‘protective substances’, the secondary plant compounds.
The extremely expensive pomegranate seed oil is unique. We know of no comparable plant oil with this unusual fatty acid pattern. The oil has an exceptionally high proportion (over 65%) of an unusual, highly unsaturated, so-called conjugated fatty acid that otherwise hardly occurs in the plant kingdom. It is a modified linolenic acid with three conjugated double bonds: punicic acid. Contrary to widespread claims, however, it does not belong to the common unsaturated omega fatty acids but is chemically a different compound, a so-called ‘omega-5 fatty acid’. This compound therefore has nothing to do with gamma-linolenic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid.
‘Punicic acid is a compound of particular scientific interest.’
Its properties are the subject of ongoing research.
The oil also contains a number of different ‘phyto-oestrogen’ components (phyto-SERMs, see page 39) such as coumestrol, estrone and 17-alpha-estradiol. They are strong antioxidants and are described in the literature as blocking and suppressing agents.
These accompanying substances are complemented by phytosterols, flavonoids and beta-sitosterol, which together make up the oil’s characteristic profile of accompanying substances.
In my view, pomegranate seed oil is a valuable oil that is traditionally associated with balance and well-being. It is also traditionally used in connection with mood swings and ‘emotional imbalance’, and taken as a course, it is valued as a supportive companion during periods of change.
Like evening primrose oil, pomegranate seed oil is a ‘first-choice oil’ for many skin concerns. It is also an excellent skin care oil. It helps to strengthen the skin’s barrier function, supports the skin’s natural regeneration and helps to reduce the visible signs of premature skin ageing.
It is very helpful for sensitive, dry, mature and stressed skin. The oil makes the skin soft and supple, so that it feels good and healthy, while the complexion is gently refined. The phyto-SERMs (see page 39) are of particular interest for mature skin and can help to support the skin’s own collagen. The valuable accompanying substances (unsaponifiables) act as antioxidants and are described as blocking and suppressing agents. In care products, pomegranate seed oil therefore helps to protect the skin from environmental stress.
‘Women and also gynaecologists often ask me what can be done to care for stressed, dry mucous membranes and make them supple again. Here, too, I like to recommend a blend of fatty oils made from pomegranate seed oil, evening primrose oil and St John’s wort oil.’
Pomegranate seed oil can be added to any base oil; it is still very effective in a 10% dilution (with other plant oils). Just a few drops up to 1 teaspoon of the natural oil show good results.
Gynaecologists are enthusiastic about the results of self-care with ready-made aromatherapy products (with added essential oils such as ho wood*, Roman chamomile*, rose* and sandalwood*) for the care of dry, sensitive intimate skin.
As the oil does not keep for very long, you can also take it ‘packed’ in capsules as a food supplement over a course of several weeks. Also applied regularly from capsules to the face, neck and décolleté (for about 4 weeks), it is an excellent oil for skin renewal. You can also easily incorporate the contents of the capsules into oil blends (use 1–5 capsules per 50 ml).
A small tip
Very high-quality virgin pomegranate seed oil is now available in small containers (e.g. 30 ml). You can mix this rapidly perishable oil (for external use only) with approx. 70 ml of jojoba oil to obtain a stable, highly effective oil blend. But pay attention to the quality of the pomegranate seed oil.
Suitable for the following applications
Quoted from Ruth von Braunschweig: Plant oils. Über 50 starke Helfer für Genuss und Hautpflege!. Stadelmann Verlag, 2025. ISBN 978-3-943793-68-0 – By kind permission of Stadelmann Verlag.
