Almonds are a seed
Did you know one of the most interesting facts about almonds of all is they aren’t technically a nut at all? Nope, that’s right!
Almonds are actually a seed. They are actually the seed of a flower and are botanically related to roses and orchids. In fact, in the early spring, almonds are released when the petals of the trees push up on the branches where the blooms used to be, and almonds flourish and fall from the trees. Almonds are still referred to as a tree nuts, however, since they resemble nuts and are produced from trees like other nuts.
The almond tree is native to the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent and North Africa. Historians agree that almonds were one of the earliest cultivated foods.
Almonds are mentioned as far back in history as the Bible. They were a prized ingredient in bread served to Egypt’s pharaohs.
Explorers ate almonds while traveling the “Silk Road” between Asia and the Mediterranean. Before long, almond trees flourished in the Mediterranean – especially in Spain and Italy.
The almond tree was brought to California from Spain in the mid-1700s by the Franciscan Padres.
Almond grows best in Mediterranean climates with warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters.
There are two main types of almonds. One variety (Prunus amygdalus var. dulcis) produces sweet almonds, which are edible. The other variety (Prunus amygdalus var. amara) produces bitter almonds, which are used for almond oil.
Some almonds are green
I bet you didn’t know there are actually green almonds that look much like grapes. If you already knew this, I guess you’re a step ahead of me here! Green almonds are known as a delicacy and thought to be one of the finest foods to eat by other cultures. Green almonds are also said to have a slightly sweet and herb-like taste used in various dishes in other countries.
What nutrients does almond oil have?
There are two types of almond oil: sweet and bitter. Sweet almond oil is the kind that’s better suited to your skin. It contains the following nutrients:
Vitamin A: The retinol in vitamin A has the ability to stimulate the production of new skin cells and smooth fine lines.
Vitamin E: This nutrient has antioxidant properties that may help prevent cell damage and help reduce ultraviolet (UV) damage to the skin caused by the sun.
Omega-3 fatty acids: These nutrients may help prevent premature aging and safeguard against sun damage.
Zinc: This is an essential nutrient for healing acne or other facial scars. However, it’s worth noting that zinc is more effective for this purpose when taken orally.
What are the benefits of using almond oil on your face?
Although there’s plenty of research that touts the benefits of eating almonds, there’s less scientific evidence on the benefits of using almond oil on the skin.
However, according to some clinical studies and anecdotal evidence, applying almond oil to the skin may have the following benefits:
Reduces puffiness and under-eye circles. Because almond oil is an anti-inflammatory, it may help ease swelling of the skin.
Improves complexion and skin tone. Due to its emollient properties, almond oil has the potential to improve both complexion and skin tone.
Treats dry skin. Almond oil has been used for centuries to treat dry skin conditions, including eczema and psoriasis.
Improves acne. The oil’s fatty acid content may help dissolve excess oil on the skin, while the retinoids in the oil may reduce the appearance of acne and improve cell turnover.
Helps reverse sun damage. Oil has shown that vitamin E, one of the nutrients in almond oil, may help reduce damage to the skin caused by UV exposure.
Reduces the appearance of scars. In ancient Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, almond oil was used to reduce scarring. The vitamin E content may contribute to helping smooth the skin.
Reduces the appearance of stretch marks. Sweet almond oil may be an effective treatment for preventing and reducing stretch marks.
