The properties of wine related to the presence of tannins are now known and often at the center of Scientific Research. But did you know that since ancient times wine has been used in cosmetics? The Egyptian women knew its emollient and smoothing characteristics Cleopatra herself used to sprinkle the skin with an oily ointment based on grape must and alabaster. The wine was also known and appreciated as a healthy and medicamentous drink: the Egyptians took it as a medicine against pains and sorrows.
In ancient Rome, the wine must discarded during the grape harvest was conserved to be used as a healing for scars and wounds, as a potent antibacterial, and as a product for body care, for example as a massage ointment.
In more recent times, even Lucrezia Borgia, a controversial figure of the Italian Renaissance, seems to be aware of the beneficial properties of wine and its derivatives, which she also profusely used to take care of her beauty (as well as to mix with brews, destined to unfortunate enemies).
Although none of the above figures had any idea of what polyphenols or their antioxidant properties were, today we know exactly that these beauty secrets have a scientific explanation, related to the properties of grapes and their tannins.
At the end of the Nineteenth Century, in fact, the therapeutic properties of wine were first studied concretely thanks to the meeting between Mathilde Cathiard, owner of some vineyards Chateaux Smith Haut-Lafitte, and a researcher who was analyzing polyphenols, Joseph vercauteren.
This is the origin of wine therapy and later cosmetic products were conceived to be made with grapes and wine must, to exploit the antioxidant and anti-ageing properties of grapes. Properties that are required to tannins, polyphenols can counteract the free radicals that cause cell aging. Moreover, depending on the different concentration and the quality of grapes, they give a more or less bitter, more or less full-bodied flavour to wine.
When you choose a cosmetic treatment based on wine, you exploit the emollient and antioxidant properties of tannin. Grapes, also grape seeds and vines, and derived cosmetic products are useful for skin imperfections, but also as a therapy to improve blood circulation, cleansing of the liver or intestines, and as an adjuvant to lower cholesterol. All this thanks to the presence of polyphenols and flavonoids, especially tannins, and other precious minerals.
Many Spas carry out personalised wine therapy courses and treatments according to individual needs, specifically designed to relax and take care of the mind and body, with revitalizing and energizing effects. Moreover, it is possible to enjoy the beneficial effects of wine tannins also thanks to rejuvenating massages or smoothing and emollient peelings.
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