Effects of Almond Oil

Almonds, though popularly known as nuts, are not true nuts in the botanical sense. The fruits of almond plants are actually called drupes, which are a kind of fruit whose seeds are contained within hard shells surrounded by a fleshy layer. The oil derived from almonds is popular in alternative medicine. Depending on the variety from which it was extracted, the oil can have both beneficial and negative effects.

Two Types

• There are two types of almonds, bitter and sweet. Each can be extracted for oil and some almond oils are combinations of each variety's pure extract. One way to tell the difference between bitter and sweet almonds is by the color of the plant's flowers. Sweet almonds generally have white flowers and those of bitter almonds are pink. The shape of the nut is also an indicator.

  Bitter almonds are typically shorter and broader. However, the essential difference between the two varieties is in their chemical components, which dictate how safe their extracted oils are for use and consumption. Sweet almond oil is the harmless type and can be safely ingested or applied to the skin without restrictions. Bitter almond oil on the other hand is the more dangerous kind and one should be properly informed of its characteristics before using it.

Toxic Substances

• Half of a volume of bitter almond oil is made up of the beneficial nutrients that are found in the sweet variety. These are mostly monounsaturated fatty acids. The other half however is composed of three toxic substances which are not present at all in the sweet variety. These are amygdalin, benzaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide. Amygdalin is a substance present in most Rosaceous plants - the taxonomic family to which almonds belong, and these include apricots, plums and peaches. When amygdalin is chemically broken down in the process of extracting oil, the other two toxic substances are produced. Benzaldehyde gives the almond its characteristic flavor and scent.

  Hydrogen cyanide is more commonly known as prussic acid and is highly poisonous. Around 4 - 9 milligrams of this substance is present in one piece of bitter almond. Thus the oil extracted from bitter almonds is mostly applied only externally. To be fit for consumption the cyanide component must first be removed. Internal application must be done in only small doses and preferably should be used under the advice or directly administered by medical professionals.

Benefits

• Ironically, the medicinal properties of bitter almond oil are actually derived from its toxic substances. This toxicity can arrest the growth of bacteria, fungus, protozoa, intestinal worms and even viruses. Infections by such microorganisms whether in the internal organs or on the skin can be cured with application of the correct dosage of bitter almond oil. Amygdalin is known to lessen the sensitivity of nerves and this enables bitter almond oil to also function as an anesthetic.

  According to the National Cancer Institute, hydrogen cyanide has the ability to inhibit the progress of certain types of cancerous cells. The monounsaturated fatty acids found in both bitter and sweet almond oil can help maintain a good level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL cholesterol) and reduce low-density lipoproteins (LDL cholesterol), making almond oil good for the heart.

Uses

• Sweet almond oil is almost similar to olive oil in composition and can be used as a good substitute in the kitchen. Food processing industries remove the cyanide from the bitter variety and make use of the benzaldehyde to create almond-flavored products. Almond oil is also known to be an emollient, meaning that it can balance water loss and moisture absorption of the skin, making it soft and smooth. Thus it is often utilized as an ingredient in cosmetic products. In massage therapy it functions as carrier oil for other essential oils because the sweet variety has no strong aroma and is easily absorbed by the skin.

Substitutes

• Because of the risk presented by the toxicity of the bitter variety and also capitalizing on the demand for almond-scented or flavored products, some manufacturers have started using substitutes. These are from seeds of fruits that are similar in composition to bitter almond. Although some cosmetics or essential oils may be packaged as 'bitter almond' it is quite possible that they are actually derived from apricot or peach kernels or even cherry pits.