Almond Oil is pressed from the kernel of both sweet and bitter almonds. It has several culinary and therapeutic uses, based on its light body and unsaturated fat content. Its structure draws frequent comparisons to olive oil. Almond oil is also used extensively in beauty products for skin and hair.
Almond oil is highly revered in some cultures in North India and was mentioned several times in the Bible.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Almond
Extraction and Uses
Almond oil can be procured from both bitter and sweet almond kernels. Though the bitter almond is not edible like the sweet, the resulting oil is nearly identical, and both can be used in cooking as substitutes for olive oil if necessary. Almonds contain monosaturated fat, healthier type of fat which may be useful to lower blood pressure.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/health-foods/NU00632 Use almond oil in moderation, as like all oil, almond oil also contains high fat and calorie.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/nuts/HB00085/NSECTIONGROUP=2
The bitter almond contains a poisonous substance called Amygdalin, removed during the refining process of almond oil. Almond oil is used extensively for beauty care products such as Almond Oil Nail & Cuticle Treatment from The Body Shop, Primalan Finest Almond Oil Emulsion, Almond Skin Oil from L'Occitane. Almond oil is often combined with other essential oil for massage.
Certain studies suggest that almond oil may also reduce throat inflammation due to cough or other bronchial illness, though these claims have not been verified by the Food and Drug Administration. There have been some reports about death caused by cyanide poisoning due to consuming laetrile and bitter almond oil.http://www.drugs.com/npp/almond-almond-oil.html
What is Sweet Almond Oil Used For?
In this video, you can learn about the use of sweet almond oil. Almond oil can be used by all skin type, particularly if your skin is dry and itchy. If you get sunburned, rub some sweet almond oil to your skin and gently massage it. Sweet almond oil is also used in lotions and other beauty products.
Almond Oil Blogs and Forums
Chowhound: Almond Oil Substitutes
The Well-Seasoned Cook: Haricot Verts Ultimate Almondine
LifeExtension: Almond Oil protects from UV rays
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References
Fast Facts
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Fact:
Used in cosmetics and lotions
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Fact:
Also called Oleum Amygdalae
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Fact:
Used in back massages and tension therapy
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Taste
Nutty and smooth
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Fact:
Almond oil is one of the top food sources of monosaturated fats.
