RASPBERRY

Seeds, oil — Origin: Turkey

Rubus idaeus

THE DELICIOUS BRAMBLE

The raspberry bush, a wild shrub that has acclimatized everywhere from the Arctic polar circle to the tropics, produces abundant fruit that is as virtuous as it is tasty. The Rubus genus seems to originate from Asia Minor, a region which roughly corresponds to present-day Turkey. Pliny the Elder was the first to describe this bush, with its delicious berries and creeping branches covered in defensive thorns, and to give it a name: “Mount Ida bramble.” Grown in Europe since Roman times, the species was domesticated to improve the size and flavor of its berries, which we usually picture as red but which can also be white, black, or even yellow!

TEACHINGS FROM TIME IMMEMORIAL

It is said that a young Zeus was having a crying fit when the nymph Ida gave him a delicious berry—a raspberry—to calm him down. But as she was picking it, the fair nymph pricked her bosom, tinting the white berry with her ruby-colored blood. Its benefits are recognized by all the far-flung peoples that make it part of their diet. In Europe, it is alleged that the branches of wild raspberry bushes, when hung outside a house, will protect its inhabitants. In North America, raspberries were preserved in fat by Amerindians and used to fight infections as well as the flu. In the 18th century, the Irish herbalist K’Eogh wrote about the raspberry: “An application of honey and crushed flowers will treat the eye’s inflammations . . . the fruit is good for the heart.”

ON COLLECTING RASPBERRY SEED OIL

The highly fragile and delicate berries are harvested between June and September. A raspberry bush will bear fruit for a decade. The seeds are separated from the pulp, dried, crushed, and cold-pressed to obtain a blond-colored oil with a fruity, fresh, and light smell.

THE BENEFITS

Raspberry seed oil takes care of skin that has been damaged by sun and the cold. It is made up of about 50% linoleic acid—omega-6—which fosters cell regeneration, prevents the skin from drying out, and helps reconstitute epidermal lipids. Its high concentrations of alpha-linolenic acid—an omega-3—vitamin E, gallic acid, and carotenoid help prevent cellular decay.

A FEW DROPS

Raspberry seed oil can be applied at night directly to a thoroughly, but always gently, cleansed face. It is very rapidly absorbed and does wonders to ward off redness, dryness, and the signs of aging.

RASPBERRY-BASED RECIPES

from Officine Universelle

GENTLE RASPBERRY SEED OIL FACIAL EXFOLIANT

This treatment—part mask, part scrub—evens out the complexion and soothes the epidermis. A nighttime ritual to give your skin a makeover.

In the palm of your hand or in a small bowl, mix two tablespoons of raspberry seed oil, two drops of chamomile essential oil, and one tablespoon of wheat or white clay. Gently rub the mixture on your face, particularly on the areas whose grain you wish to refine. Rinse with warm water and pat dry with a soft cloth.

RASPBERRY FACIAL CLEANSING MILK

With the return of summer comes the pleasure of preparing this cleansing treatment, which will delight all pink aficionados. Be generous with your cosmetic creations, and share them with your loved ones. Where there’s enough for one mask, there’s enough for two. . . .

Blend a dozen fresh raspberries along with three tablespoons of powdered organic milk and a small amount of floral water. Cleanse your face with the resulting paste, spreading it with little circular motions. Rinse. Pat dry with a soft cloth and enjoy your newfound smoothness.