Pomegranates Grow in Rochester

by Dave Harney

All the trees lose their leaves, all
Trees but the pomegranate.
I alone in all the garden lose not my beauty,
I remain straight.
When my leaves fall,
New leaves are budding.
-translated from an ancient Egyptian hieroglyph

It’s February, the chilly month that warms our hearts with Valentine’s Day, and many thoughts turn to beauty. So here is an interesting local story about the fruit known to some as the “love apple.” Interestingly, that fruit, the pomegranate, is now enjoying a modern revival. Would you believe the pomegranate, one of the history’s most revered fruits, can play an important role in both health and beauty?

In folk medicine, pomegranates have been used for centuries to treat skin irritations, inflammation, rheumatism and even sore throats. In Ayurvedic medicine, pomegranates have been utilized for nourishment and restoration of the skin’s balance. Today’s scientific studies show that the pomegranate, the same fruit extolled by Chaucer, Homer and Shakespeare, has powerful healing properties, and may hold the key to treating menopause, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s and cancer.

And a large part of the action is taking place right here in Rochester! Although the fruit originates from the Middle East, two local entrepreneurs, Neal Holtzman and Steve Schwartz, started their company, Pomegranate Health, to harness the beneficial qualities of pomegranates for health-conscious consumers. The company’s first products were pomegranate-based dietary supplements. Their latest product is an anti-aging, anti-wrinkle face cream made with cutting edge pomegranate extracts. Independent scientific studies show these ingredients can stimulate the skin’s collagen growth and rebuild its outer layers. And because of the natural antioxidant properties, it can also help inhibit free radicals which damage your skin.

But how well does the face cream work? Enter Jane August, co-owner of August Moon Imports and a longtime friend of Neal and Steve’s. When Jane heard about the new skincare product, she had to try it. After using the cream for about six months before it was released to the public, she was, as she admits, definitely “astonished” at how it changed her skin: “My natural skin texture is coarse and dry. This new pomegranate face cream has made my skin clearer, smoother new face cream has made my skin clearer, smoother, and I don’t have any more breakouts. People actually tell me that I have really beautiful skin. Nobody told me that when I was 20 years old!” Jane also shares the cream with her 21-year-old daughter Shoshana. “We both use it daily. I wanted my daughter to develop good skincare habits at an early age, and this stuff is great.”

To date, technology has delivered many miracles to mankind, but still Mother Nature’s own ingredients are often more effective than anything modern science develops. Pomegranates appear to be in that category. Thanks to this local company taking a modern approach to unlocking its health benefits, maybe it’s time to see what the pomegranate can do for you!

ROCHESTER RESOURCE

Pomegranate Health
www.pomhealth.com
585-777-4090
800-661-5176
info@pomhealth.com