The Almond oils is a mixture of saturated and polysaturated oils and is rich in Vitamin E and D. Almond oil, used in Aromatherapy preparations, is made by cold expression of almond seeds.
Almond tree is native to Mediterranean and Almond seeds and oils have been used from Biblical times. The wild bitter Almond seed is toxic and requires steam pasteurisation to convert it into an edible nut. It has a distinct sweet smell and it a less expensive oil used in, Aromatherapy. Due to the presence of a mixture of fatty acids, both saturated and unsaturated, it has got an emollient properties that is useful in the preparation of Aromatherapy massage oil and Aromatherapy bath oil.
Almond oil is used as a carrier oil or base oil in Aromatherapy. Unlike other essential oils, Almond oil content is higher and does not use expensive processes such as distillation or solvent extraction. Almond oil is replicated with a chemical called Benzaldehyde. It is cheap and it is produced in bulk.
Almond oil, being less expensive, it is the most widely used base oil in Aromatherapy. Almond oil is used for massaging, because of its oil content, which acts as both an emollient as well as a lubricant. The sweet smell enhances the ambience and offers relief and rejuvenation for both body and mind.
Almond oil is also used extensively in making moisturising toilet soaps, because it moisturise the skin, unlike synthetic detergent base soaps. When Almond oil is saponified during soap making, the resultant glycerine is not separated and it is part of the soap produced. A combination of glycerine with Almond oil soap is great for the skin. The sweet Fragrance of Almond oil, and its moisturising properties, in combination with glycerine, produces the best quality natural soap.
Almond oil is used in the preparation of other beauty products such as skin care and perfumes. It is readily soluble in Ethyl alcohol and it is used in the preparation of colognes and perfumes. It is also used in the preparation of after shave lotion and deodorants for men.
There is another variety of Almond oil, which is called Almond bitter, has glycoside and amygdaline content. It is highly toxic and sometimes used externally for certain skin ailments. It also exhibits diuretic and febrifuge properties and prescribed only by medical professionals.
Almond oil is packed in small bottles like any other essential oil and need to comply with labelling requirements.
The fatty acid content is similar to Olive oil, and it is used in the preparation Aromatherapy hair care products. When combined with vanilla extract and applied to hair, it acts as a hair conditioner and leaves the hair shiny and lustrous with great fragrance.
Almond nuts have wide application in Food and culinary preparations and Almond oil is used as a food-flavouring agent. A combination of Almond oil and Vanilla is used in cakes and ice cream preperaions. The application of Almond oil as a flavouring agent in Food industry is equally widespread.
