Oil of bitter almond

Description:

Oil of bitter almond used in cosmetics for its softening action onthe skin. It is also used in the manufacture of soaps Oil of bitteralmond(PrunusAmygdalus)100% pure almond oil / Bitter almondoil

Origin of Bitter almond essential oil:
The Bitter almond tree is native to Western Asia and North Africaand is widely cultivated in Spain, Turkey, Morocco, Tunisia andEgypt. Separating the kernels from their shells and then crushingthem in a press produces a fixed oil. Bitter almond oil is notpresent in the nuts in their natural state.

Description of Bitter almond :
A tree reaching up to 7-meter (22 ft) high. It has pinky whiteblossom and is popular as a garden tree

Appearance : Thin and strongly refractiveliquid

Aroma : Sweet nutty aroma reminiscent of almondkernels, cherry aroma.

Color : Colorless

Chemical constituents:: Bitter almond oil hasvarious chemical compounds that include benzaldehyde andhydrocyanic (prussic acid).

ExtractionBitter almond essential oil is obtainedby steam distillation of the kernels.

Aromatherapy uses:
Bitter almond oil contains an enzyme amygdalin, yielding glucose,cyanide and the essential oil which is used medicinally as itcontains 6 to 8% of prussic acid. The nut of the tree has also beenused as a preventative for alcohol intoxication.

It is warming, lubricant, expectorant, controls cough and laxative.The kernel is considered anti-tussive, expectorant, sedative,anthelmintic, antispasmodic, demulcent, pectoral and vulnerary andare used for common cold, coughs, bronchial asthma, rheumatism,tumors and constipation in the elderly.

Flowers of bitter almond are considered tonic and used topromote female fertility.
Seeds have been used as a pain killer. A beverage (hsieng-jent''ang) is made by crushing the seeds in boiling water and has beenused for asthma, catarrh, cough and also injected into acupunctureloci for aquapuncture therapy for chronic bronchitis. It is alsoused internally for dry coughs, bronchitis, asthma, emphysema anddry constipation.

The dried ripe kernal has been used medicinally in Chinesemedicine. It is considered tonic and purgative. It is used tocontrol spasms and to expel phlegm from respiratory passages.

Cosmetic uses:
Almond oil is used in cosmetics for its softening action on theskin. It is also used in the manufacture of soaps, cold creams andproducts of the perfumery trade. Bitter almond is not consideredfor food additives for the presence of prussic acid as it may bepoisonous.

Oil of bitter almond