What is Kakadu Plum

The blooming plant known as the Kakadu plum is more closely linked to the almond than the plum. The Kakadu plum, in contrast to other fruits, remains on the plant after ripening.

Billy goat plum, gubinge, green plum, wild plum, murunga, manmohpan, and Marnybi are some more common names for this fruit in addition to Kakadu plum.

This wonderful plum has a hard, woody seed underneath a covering of edible fruit and is about the size of an olive or cherry. Depending on the monsoon season, it is normally collected from early March through June. It is most frequently used to flavor ice cream and is most popular in jams, preserves, sauces, chutneys, and juices.

The plums' hues range from yellow to green, and they are smooth, meaty, egg-shaped, and contain just one seed. Although some people turn them into jam, most people eat them uncooked.

Ingredient Highlight: Kakadu Plum

The Terminalia Ferdinandia tree, which bears the scientific name of this plum, is native to Northwestern Australia. 

In traditional medicine, Kakadu Plums were used to treat colds, the flu, and headaches. They were also utilized as an antiseptic or soothing balm for the limbs. Australia's indigenous peoples have consumed and used Kakadu plums as medicine. They were also utilized as an antiseptic or soothing balm for the limbs.

Kakadu Plums have the highest recorded natural amount of vitamin C of any food in the world. In fact, 100 grams of the fruit provides well over 3,000% of your daily needs if you were to ingest it. For reference, the same serving of oranges contains 59.1% of your recommended daily intake.

 

 

Why do we use it in our skincare range?

Because the human body does not produce its own Vitamin C, it relies on obtaining it through external sources. Vitamin C benefits for the skin include stimulating collagen production and neutralizing free radicals. Daily use of a balanced and stabilized Vitamin C facial serum (like the Dream Rose Serum found in our Nourishing Trio) will ensure that your skin soaks up all of the perks of this powerful ingredient.

Kakadu plums are also an excellent source of antioxidants. They contain 6 times the amount of polyphenols and 13.3 times more antioxidant activity than blueberries.

Antioxidants help neutralize unstable molecules called free radicals. Excess amounts of these molecules can harm your body and cause oxidative stress, which presents fine lines and wrinkles, pigmentation and dull, tired skin.

We use Kakadu Plum in conjunction with Bakuchiol to create one of the newest additions, Bounce, a natural and equally powerful alternative to retinol, without skin irritation. It is part of our Ageless Routine, designed to restore and rejuvenate lacklustre skin and work against the effects of aging.

Benefits of Kakadu Plum in skincare

The Kakadu Plum's richness of Vitamin C, anti-oxidants, and other essential elements makes it the ideal remedy for treating a variety of skin issues.

Brightens skin complexion 

Vitamin C content in Kakadu plum is extremely high. When consistently ingested and used topically, this nutrient aids in the development of fairer and brighter skin. Tyrosinase is an enzyme that makes melanin. A darker skin tone is created when this melanin is produced in excess. Tyrosinase, an enzyme that regulates melanin formation, is kept in check by the vitamin C in Kakadu plums. 

Having a lighter tan as a result of sun exposure and a brighter complexion is made possible by vitamin C. Use a face serum with natural vitamin C extracts in it if you have hyperpigmentation, blemishes, or dark patches.

Fights early signs of aging

Due to sunlight exposure, pollution, and other environmental variables, the phenomenon of free radical production occurs. Premature aging is brought on by these free radicals, which also contribute to fine lines, wrinkles, and skin elasticity loss.

Antioxidants that counteract the effects of free radicals, including polyphenols, Vitamins C and E, folic acid, and carotenoids, are abundant in the Kakadu Plum. Consequently, the signs of aging are lessened. Dark circles and puffiness under the eyes are also reduced by the Kakadu plum.

Hydrates the skin 

The protein responsible for 75% of the dry weight of human skin is collagen. Vitamin C, zinc, and collagen peptides greatly reduce skin roughness and dehydration. Vitamin C, which is crucial for the creation of collagen, is abundant in Kakadu plums. Kakadu Plum's vitamin C serves as a potent antioxidant that protects the skin, making it a crucial component for rehydrating the skin.

Kakadu Plum's vitamin C improves skin barrier performance and aids in reducing water loss, preventing dry skin. Regular application of topical Vitamin C has been found in studies to aid improve skin moisture. You must include a Vitamin C-rich face serum in your facial care routine if your skin is prone to dryness.

Treats blemishes

Kakadu Plum has large amounts of gallic and ellagic acids, which are both antibacterial and antifungal. Being phytochemicals, they efficiently treat acne-prone skin and aid in the battle against skin infections. As a result, adding Kakadu Plum to your skincare routine will help eliminate the bacteria that causes pimples, giving you smoother, more even-toned skin.

Eliminate dark spots

Kakadu Plum's vitamin C is the ideal skin-brightening ingredient since it fights hyperpigmentation and restores skin layers, giving you lighter skin. causing the black areas to disappear. By controlling inflammation and melanin production, it stops the development of new dark spots. Kakadu Plum also contains zinc, vitamin E, and vitamin C, all of which help lighten dark spots.

 

Protects skin

The organ that is most exposed to outside factors is the skin! This causes skin damage and the emergence of several skin conditions. So, skin protection is absolutely crucial. Because it has the ability to treat numerous skin infections and other skin issues, the inner bark of the Kakadu Plum is excellent for skin protection. It can successfully treat a variety of bacterial and fungal illnesses. Psoriasis can also be effectively treated with it. Kakadu Plum's vitamin C fights free radicals and shields it from damage brought on by exposure to the sun's damaging UV rays.

Additionally, vitamin C aids in the maintenance of healthy skin cells and aids in the repair of harm brought on by exposure to environmental pollutants. To provide your skin antioxidant defense, choose a face lotion or face serum containing Vitamin C extracted from Kakadu Plum.

Benefits of Kakadu Plum in our health

 

 

Treating stress from oxidation

Your body produces free radicals on its own. These are unstable substances that have the potential to harm your DNA and healthy cells, and result in disease. Free radicals are countered by antioxidants, which also reduce your risk of developing chronic diseases. Kakadu plums contain significant quantities of vitamin C, a potent antioxidant.

Ellagic acid is also prevalent in Kakadu plums. This is yet another antioxidant that is frequently present in foods like strawberries, almonds, and walnuts. Ellagic acid may assist in harming or eliminating cancer cells and preventing tumor growth. But more research is required.

 

Eye wellness

In the Kakadu plum, lutein concentrations are high. Your chance of developing cataracts and chronic eye problems may be reduced by this chemical. By reducing the risk of cataracts, vision issues, age-related macular degeneration, and the loss of healthy tissue, the vitamin C and E in Kakadu plums can also aid.

Lower blood pressure 

The potassium to sodium ratio in Kakadu plums is high. Possibly lowering high blood pressure with this. ‌

Emollient

Kakadu plum seeds can be processed into seed oil. Omega-6 fatty acids, as well as the saturated fatty acids palmitic acid and stearic acid, are abundant in kakadu plum oil.

Omega-rich fatty seed oils can aid in wound healing and moisturize the skin.

Skincare 

Because of the vitamin C in kakadu plum, several various lotions and face cleansers contain it. Vitamin C can lessen dark spots and hyperpigmented regions of skin, as well as protect the skin from the effects of aging.

Antibacterial

Extracts from the fruit and leaves of kakadu plum are naturally antimicrobial. According to studies, Listeria monocytogenes and antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus bacteria can both be inhibited by water-based and methanol kakadu plum extracts.

As a natural preservative, some Australian businesses use kakadu plum extract on prawns.

Extremely nutritious

Kakadu plums are a great source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals and are low in calories and high in nutrients. It contains a lot of vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that guards your body against the harm produced by reactive molecules called free radicals. 

It is also a great source of copper, which is necessary for the formation of red blood cells, bones, connective tissue, and essential enzymes. 

Copper is also essential for the development of the fetus and for the efficient operation of the immune system. Iron, which is necessary for producing red blood cells and transporting oxygen throughout your body, is also abundant in kakadu plums. They also include a lot of dietary fiber, which supports gut health and blood sugar regulation while warding off constipation, colon cancer, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Excellent antioxidant source

Antioxidants are rich in Kakadu plums. They have 13.3 times more antioxidant activity than blueberries and 6 times more polyphenols.

Free radicals are unstable chemicals that can be neutralized by antioxidants. Oxidative stress can injure your health if these substances are present in excess.

Free radicals form naturally, but unhealthy eating habits and environmental contaminants like cigarette smoke and air pollution can make them more prevalent.

Free radicals have also been linked in studies to illnesses like cancer, brain deterioration, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, heart disease, and renal disease.

Free radicals in excess can be bound by antioxidants, shielding your cells from their harmful effects.

Potential Risks of Kakadu Plums

Oxalates and vitamin C are both present in abundance in Kakadu plums.

While the majority of people are able to get rid of excess amounts of these compounds, sensitive people's high intake has been associated with kidney stone formation.

Genetics, renal and inflammatory illnesses are risk factors.

Those who are vulnerable may need to keep their daily dietary oxalate consumption to 40–50 mg. These limitations are substantially exceeded by the Kakadu plum, which has 2,717 mg of oxalate per 3.5 ounces (100 grams) of dried fruit.

Additionally, sensitive people should keep their daily vitamin C consumption to 90 mg, which is the dietary guideline intake.

Kakadu Plum Side Effects

Kakadu plum seeds might be poisonous. Eat sparingly because eating too many seeds can make you ill.

The Kakadu plum also contains a lot of vitamin C and a substance known as oxalic acid, or oxalates. While some people can consume large amounts of these substances, others may experience health issues.

Consuming meals high in oxalate frequently can affect how calcium is absorbed. This can lead to kidney stones. Oxalates are produced while your body breaks down vitamin C, therefore consuming meals high in vitamin C may also cause kidney stones.

Summary

The Kakadu plum is a great choice due to its high vitamin C content alone, but it also has outstanding antioxidant properties. Think about including it a few times per week in your diet. The most vitamin C-rich food on the earth, it may be ideal for boosting the immune system before, during, and after travel. The health advantages alone make this superfruit well worth eating. 

Due to its high vitamin C content, Kakadu plums are a key component of many creams, masks, and lotions used for skin treatment. When you use it, your skin naturally glows. It combats the formation of free radicals on your skin and shields it from their damaging effects.