Uses for Pine Nut Oil

Pine nut oil is a pressed oil that is drawn from various types of pine nuts. This slightly flavored oil has many uses, both in the kitchen and medicinally. If you are interested in pine nut oil, learning about is many uses can help you to put this oil to work for you, whatever your needs may be.

Digestive Help

• Thanks to the antioxidants contained in pine nut oil, it has been found to help alleviate digestive issues, like upset stomach, indigestion and heartburn, and can help to regulate a problematic digestive tract. Try and incorporate pine nut oil into one or more of your meals a day, or take a teaspoon of it shortly before eating a meal to help get your digestive system working well.

Appetite Control

• Due to its pinolenic acid content, pine nut oil is an effective appetite suppressor. Pinolenic acid elevates levels of cholecystokinin, a hormone that controls appetite in the brain which in turn helps suppress appetite. Taking about 3 grams of pine nut oil can help control appetite for three to four hours, or you can incorporate it into your diet such as using it as a salad dressing base or replace other cooking oils with it.

Moisturize

• Pine nut oil can also be a good weekly or bi-weekly hair treatment to help add extra moisture and shine to hair. Apply oil to clean, damp hair that has not been conditioned and leave on for about an hour, rinse and enjoy some added shine. You can also use it to moisturize cuticles as well.

Joint Pain Remedy

• If you have arthritis or other joint ailments, pine nut may help relieve the pain related to such issues. With a structure close to that of cortisone, a popular arthritis treatment, pine nut oil can yield results similar to cortisone. Rub into skin at the area of pain in gentle motions to help alleviate pain. For added relief, you can even heat up oil in the microwave for 15 seconds or so and rub in the warm oil.

Culinary Flavor

• Pine nut oil has a number of uses in the kitchen. Use the oil to cook vegetables and meats to add a mild nut flavor. Use it in pesto or hummus and pair with pita bread, or add some herbs to it and use it as an oil dip for breads. Use it on its own or mix with other cooking oils to be used when cooking pastas, or you can use it as a marinade base for meats.