Almond Oil

Almond oil is an essential oil that is harvested from a few main species of almond trees across the world. These trees used to be naturally occurring in the Middle East and Asia but has since been introduced elsewhere as it has grown to be a major cash crop. The almond oil itself is harvested from the kernel or "nut" via pressing (cold press, hot press). By body weight, each kernel can contain up to forty percent of oil. The oil itself is rich in fatty acids, with most of its composition containing Omega 9 fatty acids (60 percent), Omega 6 fatty acids and saturated fatty acids.

It is known as an essential oil, which basically translates into "the essence of the plant". There are two basic types of almond oil harvested for commercial purposes today. Bitter and sweet almond oil. Raw bitter almonds are never used for consumption as it has Amygdalin, a toxin that metabolizes to produce hydrogen cyanide. For safe use, the cyanide must be removed. In the skin care industry, it is the oil of choice as it is a natural emollient. It has a fragrant aroma and moisturizes the skin without clogging pores which makes it very good as a massage oil (Aromatherapy) or for facial cleansing.

Due to its moisturizing properties, it is seen as a natural treatment for skin conditions like eczema and dermatitis. It also moisturizes the scalp and corrects any scalp imbalances (dry scalp, dandruff). It can also be used as a base oil (Carrier oil) for a variety of other essential oils for aromatherapy purposes. Additionally, it is a natural lubricant that can be used for machinery although it is sometimes cost prohibitive. Machinery that requires lubricants without harsh chemicals (like timepieces) usually utilizes this oil. It is also used as a wood conditioner for woodwind musical instruments. Woodwind instruments describe any musical instrument that produces sound by forcing air through it.

Woodwind instruments include the flute, clarinet and horns. Sweet almonds are mainly used for consumption. They can be roasted or eaten raw. Sweet almond oil is mainly used for consumption. They are used in a variety of confections including nougat, cakes, marzipan and even cookies. It can be turned into a form of butter which is seen as a replacement for folks that have allergies to peanut butter. They can be drizzled to salads for additional flavor. Getting your hands on pure almond oil is a fairly straightforward process. Just about any aromatherapy shop will have both bitter and sweet versions for sale. Prices are very reasonable at less than three pounds for a 100ml of pure sweet almond oil.