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Sweet Almond Oil
Clinical Applications
by Dr. Anne Hussain, ND
Naturopathic Doctor & Birth Doula
www.annehussain.com
Sweet Almond Oil Profile
Sweet almond oil comes from the seed—
it’s not a nut!—of the almond tree with
the Latin name Prunus dulcis or Prunus
amygdalus.[1][2] The fruit of the almond
tree is a drupe that has an outer hull and
a hard shell, with the seed—the edible
part—inside. That is why many people
who are allergic to nuts are sometimes
not allergic to almonds; however, you
can have an allergy to nuts and almonds
together.
The almonds that we consume in our diet
are sweet almonds. The reason to add the
“sweet” in front of “almonds” is that there are also almonds out there called “bitter
almonds,” which contain cyanide. There are some medicinal uses for bitter almonds,
but we’ll stick to the sweet variety here.
Almond oil contains a high percentage of monounsaturated oleic acid (omega‑9) and
linoleic acid (PUFA omega‑6). It also contains vitamin E, vitamin A, zinc, and other
minerals.[1][2]
According to Chinese medicine, sweet almonds are sweet (shocking!) and neutral (versus
cold or warm) in nature, and they moisten the Lung and Large Intestine channels. As
such, in Chinese medicine, sweet almonds are used to help with asthma, constipation,
and dry cough.
Sweet Almond Oil Internal Uses
Sweet almonds, when ingested, provide dietary fibre and healthy fats that are good
for overall health and may be helpful for reducing cholesterol and decreasing the risk
of coronary heart disease.[2] Also, almonds, when consumed with foods that are high
in carbohydrates, can decrease the spike in blood sugar that happens when we eat
carbohydrate-rich foods. For example, if you’re enjoying a few dates or a sugary dessert
of some kind, adding in some almonds will help lower the glycemic impact of those
foods (as will most other nuts and seeds). This does not mean that having a couple of
almonds will nullify the effects of a large amount of sugar when consumed together; it
simply means that having a few almonds makes your blood sugar profile slightly better
than if you weren’t to have almonds with your dessert, even though the total amount of
sugar consumed remains the same.
Internally, food-grade sweet almond oil may help move the bowels, helping with
constipation, and decrease irritable bowel syndrome symptoms—possibly due to its
emollient effect on the intestinal lining.[1] It has actually been shown to be helpful for
rectal prolapse in children as well as pruritus ani (anal itching).[3]
Sweet Almond Oil External Uses
Externally, sweet almond oil has a
soothing and emollient effect. It has
anti-inflammatory properties, is full of
antioxidants, and is classified as a light
oil. Historically, sweet almond oil has been
used in Ayurvedic, Persian, and Ancient
Chinese medicines to treat dry skin
conditions as well as scarring.[1] Clinically
and anecdotally, it is able to reduce the
visibility of acne scarring, help even out
skin tone, and soothe irritated skin. [1]
Nowadays, it can be found in many skin-care formulas, ranging from commercial drugstore skin-care products to ones that are more “natural.”
It is considered hypoallergenic, but there have been instances where people sensitive
to almonds react to sweet almond oil (in the form of hives) with topical application,
especially in infancy when the immune system is still developing.[4]
Ways to Use Sweet Almond Oil Externally
1.Use it in your daily skin regimen
As a hypoallergenic oil that is easily absorbed into the skin without clogging pores,
sweet almond oil is great for your skin if you’re young or old. It is safe for babies to
use, and it can even be used on acne-prone skin. It might be too oily to use on its
own, but it works well as an addition to your usual moisturizer—apply after cleansing
the face by mixing a few drops in with your daily moisturizer. It can be used in the
morning or in the evening.
It has actually been shown in rat studies to help protect against UV‑B skin damage.
A study performed on mice has shown that almond oil applied topically is able to
prevent the structural damage caused in the skin when applied prior to exposure.[5]
2.Use it for eczema and/or psoriasis
Since sweet almond oil contains vitamins A and E as well as zinc, it can help with
skin cell turnover, i.e. skin regeneration. Those nutrients, as well as its soothing
properties, make it a very effective moisturizer for eczema and psoriasis.
A great way to use sweet almond oil for dry skin conditions such as eczema and
psoriasis is to mix it in with shea butter, colloidal oatmeal (if no oatmeal sensitivity
exists), and a few drops of lavender essential oil. Shea butter has a dense nutrient
profile, oatmeal has wonderful allaying properties, and lavender is great for skin-cell
turnover and for soothing the skin.
3.Use it for your hair
As mentioned above, almond oil is full of vitamins
and minerals, which means it makes a wonderful hair
mask. You can use the oil on its own by massaging it
into the scalp and leaving it on for a few hours before
you shower, and you can also use it postshowering
to help lock in moisture. Below is a recipe for a
nourishing hair mask (often in south-east Asian
cultures) that can be applied once a week.
Hair Mask Recipe
1 tbsp. sweet almond oil
1 tbsp. amla oil
Optional: 1 tbsp. coconut oil in the summer,
or 1 tbsp. mustard oil in the winter
Mix the oils together, heat gently for 2 minutes,
and massage into the scalp while warm. Leave on for at least 1 hour before
shampooing it out. You can also leave it in overnight to be washed out in the
morning (make sure to cover your pillow with an old towel for protection).
Sweet almond oil is a good option for your scalp if you suffer from dandruff, which
can be due to the fungus Malassezia furfur, since it can help your body mount a
better immune response against the fungi; however, walnut oil might be a better
option mixed in with some essential oils.[6]
4.Use it for ear aches and ear wax
Sweet almond oil can be used to help soften ear wax even if there are small nicks
inside the ear. It can also be used to make garlic oil for a mild ear infection (consult
with a health-care practitioner to make sure you’re not exacerbating a potential
serious infection).
5.
Other Uses
Sweet almond oil can be used for a variety of other
purposes such as in scrubs, mixed with sugar, or
even finely ground almond bits for scars, mixed with
frankincense essential oil and castor oil, and in a variety
of different skin-care products such as body lotion and
hair serums.
Final Notes
Sweet almond oil is nutrient-dense and can be used internally and externally for a variety
of different purposes. When using internally, it is prudent to purchase food-grade sweet
almond oil. When using externally, it is beneficial for a host of dry skin conditions and
combines well with a variety of different plant-based oils.
References:
1.
Ahmad, Z. “The uses and properties of almond oil.” Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice. Vol. 16, No. 1 (2010): 10–12.
2.
Josse, A.R., et al. “Almonds and postprandial glycemia—A dose-response study.” Metabolism. Vol. 56, No. 3 (2007): 400–404.
3.
Shafik, A. “A new concept of the anatomy of the anal sphincter mechanism and the physiology of defecation. XXIII. An injection technique for
the treatment of idiopathic pruritus ani.” International Surgery. Vol. 75, No. 1 (1990): 43–46.
4.
Guillet, G., and M.H. Guillet. “Percutaneous sensitization to almond oil in infancy and study of ointments in 27 children with food allergy.”
Allergie et Immunologie. Vol. 32, No. 8 (2000): 309–311.
5.
Sultana, Y., et al. “Effect of pre-treatment of almond oil on ultraviolet B–induced cutaneous photoaging in mice.” Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.
Vol. 6, No. 1 (2007): 14–19.
6.
Rezaee, M.A., et al. “Natural oils enhance IL‑10 and IFN‑γ production by human PBMCs cultured with Malassezia furfur.” Iranian Journal of
Immunology. Vol. 9, No. 2 (2012): 109–119.