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Avocado Oil (Persea americana)
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Avocado
trees were originally grown in Central America. In the 21st century,
this fruit was considered to be the "fruit of kings" and thus, meant to
be consumed only by the royals. Avocado offers tremendous nutritional
advantages and therefore, it is regarded as one of the best fruits
gifted to us by Mother Nature. It is rich in Vitamin A, B1, B2, D, and
E, which are very essentially required for proper growth and well-being
of humans. It also contains the amino acids, sterols, pantothenic acid,
lecithin, and other essential fatty acid.
It is especially useful for people suffering from skin problems.
Deep
olive green in color, Avocado oil has a very sweet and a bit nutty
aroma. It is usually classified as mono-unsaturated oil. It is extremely
beneficial in treating skin disorders such as Eczema and Psoriasis. It
blocks the way for sunrays, thereby protecting your skin from being
destroyed by blazing heat of sun. It nourishes the skin and returns the
lost glow and charm to the skin. Though, it can be used independently,
but nonetheless, it is used as base oil in combination with one or the
other essential oil such as Almond oil or Grape seed oil.
Although
it is classed as a vegetable oil, the avocado is really a fruit since
it has a stone - but none-the-less it yields a rich and extremely deep
penetrating oil, rich in potassium - known as the youth mineral.
It
furthermore contains proteins, lecithin, beta-carotene and more than
twenty percent essential unsaturated fatty acids. The fatty acids
contained are palmitic, palmitoleic, stearic, oleic, linoleic and
linolenic.
Benefits of avocado oil to the skin
It is also high
in sterolins, which are reputed to reduce age spots, help heal sun
damage and scars. It is the sterolins (also called plant steroids) in
the oil that helps to soften the skin and imparts a superior
moisturizing effect.
For this reason it is an ideal ingredient to
include when formulating for people with dehydrated, sun or climate
damaged skin, as it is an extremely good moisturizing and nourishing
compound, assisting in the regeneration and rejuvenation of the skin.
In
a study done at the Department of Food Engineering and Biotechnology,
Technion-Israel Institute of Technology in 1991, it was found that
avocado oil significantly increases the amount of collagen in the skin -
which normally is under attack as we grow older.
Avocado oil is
easily absorbed into deep tissue, and with its wonderfully emollient
properties, makes it ideal for mature skins. It also helps to relieve
the dryness and itching of psoriasis and eczema.
It is often used
for clients with dry or mature skins, or people suffering from eczema or
psoriasis, and is very useful when treating sun or climate damaged skin
that is dehydrated and undernourished, as it is said to help with
regenerating the skin and softening the tissue.
Disclaimer:
The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes
only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not
intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent disease. Individual results
may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to
consult with your own health care provider.
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