The Many Benefits of Apricot Kernel Oil
Like many essential oils, apricot kernel oil has many health benefits. Aside from the health benefits, the oil can also provide beauty benefits for skin and hair. The seeds can be ground into a coarse grain and added to soap, body wash and skin cleansers to provide a natural and organic exfoliator. The oil can be added to shampoos, conditioners, body lotion and facial masks as a moisturizer. To obtain this oil, the kernels are roasted.
Apricot is a stone fruit and is usually considered a healthy one. But it also has little known medicinal properties. Its flesh is abundant in minerals. The oil obtained from its seed (kernel) is therapeutic for treating symptoms of asthma, bronchitis, tuberculosis and anemia, read on for some suggested therapeutic uses of apricot kernel oil.
| Name | Scientific Name | Origin | Benefits | Caution | Storage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apricot Kernel | Prunus armeniaca | China (Qinghai, Gansu, Shaanxi, Hebei, Liaoning) and also Korea and Japan. Local farming in China dates back more than 3,000 years. It was gifted to Europe, from Greece to Italy by the Romans, and spread through to Asia Minor. English travelers introduced apricots to North America, and to California by Spanish missionaries. | The oil obtained from the seed (kernel) is therapeutic for treating symptoms of asthma, bronchitis, tuberculosis and anemia. Aside from the health benefits, the oil can also provide beauty benefits for skin and hair. The seeds can be ground into a coarse grain and added to soap, body wash and skin cleansers to provide a natural and organic exfoliator. The oil can be added to shampoos, conditioners, body lotion and facial masks as a moisturizer. | Apricot kernel oil is safe to use topically. If used internally, one should note that apricot kernels contain a fair amount of a substance known as amygdalin. This compound is metabolized by the body and converted into cyanide, a highly poisonous chemical. The concentration of cyanide in the human body will lead to respiratory failure and will result in death. Amygdalin is generally removed from oil extracted from the kernels of stone fruit. This is done to ensure that the oil contains far less amygdalin than is considered safe. This is the case with almond, apricot, and peach oils. However, one should take care to be absolutely certain that the oil purchased has been processed and filtered to eliminate the amygdalin content. | Before purchasing apricot kernel oil, one should ensure that the oil conforms to the safety standards regarding amygdalin content as well as other such chemical compounds. The healthiest commercially available apricot kernel oil is cold pressed and organic. This oil is fairly sensitive to light and heat, and may become rancid quickly. When this change happens, it’s easiest to spot in the taste of the oil. This oil should always be stored in a cool, dry place, away from heat and light. The shelf life of the oil can vary from 6 months to a year. You can extend the shelf life by refrigerating the oil. This oil is usually more expensive than other carrier oils. The organic, edible kind is even more costly. |
The Health Benefits of Apricot Kernel Oil
For more detailed information on the Health and Beauty Benefits of Apricot Kernel Oil. And if you’d like further reading on the benefits of the other parts of this stone fruit, read or download this PDF file. Apricot kernel oil has many beauty benefits discussed below.
Therapeutic Uses of Apricot Kernel Oil
Apricot kernel oil is rich in fatty acids in addition to Vitamins E and A. It is therefore therapeutic for dry and/or mature skin. If you experience dry, itchy skin, especially after a hot shower or bath, apply this oil to your damp skin to seal in moisture. This oil is used as a carrier oil ingredient in many health and beauty products like soaps, facial masks, skin exfoliators, and lotions.
It’s absorbed into the skin quickly and doesn’t have an oily or greasy feel. It is also used for massage. Massaging the body with this oil can help eliminate stress, pain and inflammation. Because it is mild and non-irritating, it can even be used on infants and children. It could also be used as a carrier oil in aromatherapy oil blends.
Other Uses of Apricot Kernel Oil
Besides its use as a therapeutic agent in home remedies for skincare, apricot kernel oil has many other uses. It is usually eaten in the form of salad dressings. But it also has industrial applications.
- Soap Making: it is used as the base component in soaps. It can also be used in homemade soap recipes to have a reduced oily residue. It’s a nice base oil for soap in conjunction with coconut oil, which is also commonly used in soap making. Apricot kernel oil adds a slight nutty fragrance to the soap. Additionally, it is an excellent carrier for other essential oils used in soap making, such as lemon, lavender and Jasmine essential oils.
- Production of Biodiesel: it is being considered as a possibility source of biodiesel. Particularly the oil from wild apricot varieties.
Buying and Storage
Before purchasing apricot kernel oil, one should ensure that the oil conforms to the safety standards regarding amygdalin content as well as other such chemical compounds. The healthiest commercially available apricot kernel oil is cold pressed and organic. This oil is usually more expensive than other carrier oils. The organic, edible kind is the most costly.
This oil should always be stored in a cool, dry place, away from heat and light since is fairly sensitive to light and heat, as it may become rancid quickly. When this change happens, the easiest way tell is in the flavor of the oil. The shelf life can vary from 6 months to a year. You can extend its shelf life by refrigerating it.
Nutrition Information
This is the nutritional value of 1 cup (8 oz.) of apricot kernel oil.
| Nutrients | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories from Fat | 1927 |
| Monounsaturated fat | 131 g |
| Omega 6-Fatty acids | 63872 mg |
| Phytol sterols | 580 g |
| Polyunsaturated fat | 63.9 g |
| Protein | 1.4 g |
| Saturated Fat | 13.7 g |
| Vitamin E | 8.7 g |
Precautions
Apricot kernel oil is safe to use topically. If used internally, one should note that apricot kernels contain a fair amount of a substance known as amygdalin. This compound is metabolized by the body and converted into cyanide, a highly poisonous chemical. The concentration of cyanide in the human body will lead to respiratory failure and result in death.
Amygdalin is generally removed from oil extracted from the kernels of stone fruit. This is done to ensure that the oil contains far less amygdalin than is considered safe. This is the case with almond, apricot, and peach oils. However, one should take care to be absolutely certain that the oil purchased has been processed and filtered to eliminate the amygdalin content.
Essential Oils to Avoid in Pregnancy
Women who are pregnant should use essential oils with caution. Some oils are best steering clear of altogether. These are: Acorus Calamus, Ajwain, Allspice, Amyris, Anise (Aniseed), Angelica, Apricot Kernel, Asafoetida, Cinnamon, Clove, Cumin, Fennel, Hyssop, Oregano, Thyme, Sage, Star Anise, Sweet Birch, and Wintergreen.
Never use essential oils in a humidifier, CPAP machine, or any other breathing device.
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Sources:
https://www.healthbenefitstimes.com/health-benefits-apricot-seed-oil/
https://www.healthbenefitstimes.com/apricot/