EU_Declaration_15.pdf
Botanical Name: Prunus amygdalus var. dulcis Common name: Alm Read More
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Botanical Name: |
Prunus amygdalus var. dulcis |
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Common name: |
Almond |
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Plant family: |
Rosaceae |
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Genus: |
Prunus |
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Appearance/Color: |
Colorless or yellowish, clear, thin, and strongly refractive liquid. |
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Origin |
Southwest Asia |
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Source |
Nut |
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Method of Extraction |
Cold Pressed |
The bitter almond tree (Prunus dulcis, var. amara) also produces an almond, but broader and shorter in shape. From these is produced a lesser quality of the fixed oil along with an emulsion which yields glucose, cyanide, and the essential oil of bitter almonds, which is nearly pure benzaldehyde.
The health benefits of bitter almond essential oil can be attributed to its properties as a vermifuge, febrifuge, bactericidal, germicidal, fungicidal, sedative, anesthetic, aperient, diuretic, anti-intoxicating, anti-carcinogenic, and antispasmodic substance.
Almonds and almond oil date back to pre-biblical times and were mentions in the bible as well. The benefits of almond oil were well known in Greece and Italy prior to the Christian era. Almonds were mentioned in old Greek mythology, as well as in classical Shakespearean writings. Domestic almonds are said to have first appeared during the bronze age, between 3000 and 2000 B.C. and were one of the earliest domestic trees used for their seeds and oil.
Tree produce large, smooth almonds and offers 60-65% edible kernel per nut. The ‘tuono’ has thicker, hairier shells and offers only 32% of edible kernel per nut, but having a thick shell has advantages. The ‘Tuono’s shell protects the nut from threatening pests such as the naval orange worm. ARS researchers have managed to crossbreed the pest-resistant ‘Tuono’ tree with ‘Nonpareil’, resulting in hybridized cultivars of almond trees that are self-pollinated and maintain a high nut quality. the new, self-pollinating hybrids possess quality skin color, flavor, and oil content, and reduce almond growers’ dependency on insect pollination.
Essential oils are distilled from the aromatic leaves, bark, and roots of plants. If applied to the skin directly, they can cause reactions, such as severe irritation, redness or burning.
Carrier oils and essential oils are made from plants. Carrier oils are used to dilute essential oils and “carry” them to skin. That’s because essential oils are potent and can cause irritation when applied directly to skin. Most carrier oils are unscented or lightly scented and don’t interfere with an essential oil’s therapeutic properties. They may be used alone or with other oils to nourish skin.
Carrier oils are used to dilute the essential oils and help “carry” them into the skin. Aloe vera gels and unscented body lotion are also sometimes used as carriers.
To be used in aromatherapy, it is recommended that the oil is obtained through cold pressing. In this process, the oil is extracted by crushing the plants. Users claim that the fragile nutrients in the oil can be damaged if they are extracted with heat. Venkatramna’s carrier Oils are extracted from the Cold Pressed method to retain their properties.
Common Usage: Aromatherapy
TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Benzaldehyde may be used as an adulterant of, or a complete substitute for bitter almond oil (Burfield 2003). Benzaldehyde is susceptible to autoxidation.
Safety summary
· Hazards: none known
· Cautions: old or oxidized oils should be avoided.
· Maximum adult daily oral dose: 357 mg
Safety Advice
Maximum oral dose is based on 98% benzaldehyde and a benzaldehyde limit of 5 mg/kg/day. Oxidation of bitter almond oil should be avoided by storage in a dark, airtight container in a refrigerator. The addition of an antioxidant to preparations containing it is recommended to preparations containing it is recommended.
Organ- specific effects
· Adverse skin reactions: undiluted bitter almond oil FFPA produced hyperkeratosis and dry desquamation when applied to mice or pigs; tested at 4% on 25 volunteers, the oil was neither irritating nor sensitizing. It is non-phototoxic.
Systemic effects
· Acute toxicity: bitter almond oil FFPA acute oral LD50 in rats 1.49 mL/kg; acute dermal LD50 in rabbits>3 g/kg.
· Carcinogenic/ anticarcinogenic potential: Not Carcinogenic
ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION
· Ecotoxicity: No data available
· Bioaccumulation: No data available
· Mobility in soil: No data available
· Persistence and degradability: No data available
· PBT and vPvB assessment: No data available
