Almond oil: A nutritious seed oil for your health and skin

 Almond oil is derived from the kernels of sweet or bitter almonds (Prunus dulcis) that have been pressed to extract their rich oil. Almonds have been cultivated since ancient times, with evidence of their use in Egypt, Persia and the Mediterranean. Ancient Ayurvedic and Greco-Roman traditions prized almond oil for its soothing and medicinal properties, which help treat dry skin and promote bowel movements.

Modern almond oil production relies on two primary varieties: sweet almond oil and bitter almond oil. Sweet almond oil, the more common of the two, is mild in flavor and widely used in cooking, skin care and cosmetics.

Bitter almond oil, meanwhile, contains toxic compounds like amygdalin – a substance that releases cyanide when metabolized. Due to its toxicity, bitter almond oil needs to undergo specialized processing to remove harmful elements and make it safe for controlled use in aromatherapy, fragrances and flavorings.

While sweet almonds are cultivated for direct consumption and culinary use, bitter almonds are primarily grown for oil production, as their kernels have higher oil content (38–45 percent) and are a cost-effective source of almond-based products. ...<<<Read More>>>...