Have you ever wondered how many seeds make their home inside one single pomegranate? If you have the chance to watch the meticulous manner in which my husband extracts each delicate, juice-filled ruby, you might. While some insist there are exactly 613 seeds in each (which corresponds with the 613 commandments of the Torah), studies show there can be as few as 165 to as many as a whopping 1400 seeds in one fruit. Although its exact seed count might be uncertain, pomegranate’s rich and very long history is certainly not.

Native to the Middle East, this incredible fruit has played a central part in many ancient cultures where it was used for medicinal purposes, religious ceremonies, and of course, culinary celebrations. Considered by certain cultures as a symbol of fertility, fruitfulness, and abundance, one wedding custom in Armenia even encourages the bride to throw the fruit against the wall, where the resulting scattered seeds are supposed to predict her future children.

Besides its cultural significance and its deliciously refreshing taste and texture, pomegranate seeds offer an exceptional nutrient profile which nourishes both inside and out. Unlike most other fruits, in which the seeds are either removed or reluctantly eaten, the seeds of the pomegranate are the only edible part of the entire fruit, and once cold-pressed into a precious oil, becomes a true skin healer.

Pomegranate’s potent, golden-yellow oil boasts of skin healing nutrients, including essential fatty acids, a high dose of Vitamin C, and countless powerful antioxidants. Its rich Vitamin C content supports and improves collagen formation, and its numerous antioxidants neutralize damaging free radicals that cause oxidative stress on the skin. In addition, pomegranate seed oil contains superior antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a great healing and preventive treatment for inflammatory conditions such as acne, psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis.

Featured in: The Youth Dew