Apricot oil identity card
Common name of vegetable oil: Apricot, Apricot kernel
Producer tree: Apricot tree
Botanical name: Prunus armeniaca
Botanical family: Rosaceae
Origin (countries where vegetable oil is grown): Turkey, all countries of the Mediterranean basin
Part of the plant extracted: Almond extracted from the kernel
Oxidative potential: Not very sensitive
Average price: From 80 to 150 euros/liter
Prunus armeniaca means plum of Armenia. The apricot and its peach cousin are the two prunus native to China where they have been cultivated for more than 2000 years. If traces of the apricot tree are found in Armenia in the 1st century BCE, it was introduced only late in France. According to some sources, apricot oil has also been used in Tibet for several centuries.
Turkey remains today the leading producer of apricot.
Organoleptic properties of apricot oil
Botanical and organoleptic peculiarities are likely to evolve according to production conditions (country, sunshine, organic production, etc.).
Color: orange-yellow
Smell: discreet, close to bitter almond
Texture: fluid, greasy
Taste: not very pronounced
Composition of apricot oil
The composition of vegetable oil is strongly influenced by the conditions of production. To ensure its quality, it is recommended to select an extra virgin oil, obtained by cold pressing, ideally of biological origin.
To learn more about nutritional qualities (types of vitamins, notion of unsaturated, saturated and trans-fatty acids), consult the practical guide to vegetable oils.
Fatty acid composition
Monounsaturated AG: 60 to 65% oleic (Omega9)
Polyunsaturated AG: 25 to 30% linoleic (Omega6)
Saturated GAs: palmitic acid 5 to 8%
Other active constituents
Vitamins: A, E
Other constituents: phytosterols, triglycerides
Modes of use of apricot oil
Dermal application
Anointing, massage, local application
Possible association with essential oils. Apricot oil is an excellent excipient. Consult the guide to essential oils.
Nutritional use
Orally
This document distinguishes the skin and nutritional uses of vegetable oil according to the desired benefits. Nevertheless, in some cases, the absorption of a vegetable oil orally can influence the improvement of dermatological conditions. Similarly, it is possible to question the effectiveness of vegetable oil used dermal on a physical pathology induced by a psycho-emotional or nervous imbalance.
The cosmetic appearance of apricot oil
Apricot oil proves to be an excellent massage oil and a good base in aromatherapy (especially for adults).
Main benefits
Cosmetically (in skin use):
- Antioxidant
- Emollient, soothing
- Nourishing
- Regenerating, revitalizing (toning)
- Protective (improves the barrier function of the skin and promotes microcirculation)
Other benefits
- Photoprotective
- Anti-inflammatory skin
- Penetrating
Uses and synergies of apricot vegetable oil
Skin indications (skin, hair, nails)
- Mild burn (after solar)
- Dry or damaged hair and scalp
- Crevice
- Tetter
- Itch
- Makeup removal (avoid the eye area)
- Drying (hands, body, hair, nails)
- Eczema
- Crack
- Irritation
- Sluggish, dull, tired skin
- Withered skin
- Sensitive skin
- Psoriasis
- Ride (in prevention)
- Skin redness
- Sun (light sun filter)
- Stretch marks
- Skin aging (in prevention)
In skin use, it is possible to make apricot oil even more penetrating by combining it with a vegetable oil such as jojoba (one of the most fluid oils). Combined with essential oils, this blend is excellent massage oil.
Apricot oil can serve as the basis for a day or night cream.
Anti-contracture massage oil
Mix in an airtight 100ml bottle:
- 60ml apricot oil
- 20ml jojoba wax
- 10ml of calophyll oil (or tamanu)
- Supplement with the following essential oils*:
- 2ml lavandin
- 2ml katafray
- 1ml of recumbent wintergreen
Apply by massage to the contracted areas.
Reusable mixture.
Storage mode: protected from heat and light
Shelf life: depending on the expiry dates of vegetable oils and essential oils
* As a precaution, it is best to avoid this mixture in pregnant women, children under 6 years of age and people allergic to aspirin.
Sluggish skin care oil
Mix in an airtight 50ml bottle:
- 25ml apricot oil
- 10ml jojoba wax
- 5ml avocado oil
- 5ml callophyll oil
- 5ml rosehip oil
Supplement with the following essential oils*:
- 10 drops of jasmine absolute
- 2 drops of ylang-ylang
- 3 drops of rosewood
Apply to previously moistened skin with yarrow or blueberry hydrosol
Reusable mixture.
Storage mode: protected from heat and light
The nutritional aspect of apricot oil
Traditionally, Chinese medicine recommended the apricot kernel for ailments such as cough, sore throat, asthma, constipation.
Subsequently, it would have been devoted anti-cancer virtues that have not been confirmed by any serious study. Indeed, kernel kernels (bitter almonds) are rich in nitriloside. However, apricot oil is reportedly being studied as a nutritional supplement as part of anti-cancer treatments, in order to improve the immune system. At the same time, some sources suggest caution about the consumption of apricot kernels, due to the presence of cyanide. Again, this claim is controversial.
Finally, with a few exceptions, apricot oil benefits from few studies on its nutritional benefits.
Precautions for use of apricot oil
Apricot oil is very stable and keeps well.
Due to the presence of cyanide, some sources advise caution regarding its consumption. As a preventive measure, it is preferable to limit its consumption to a single teaspoon per day.
It is recommended not to heat apricot oil. On the other hand, it can be incorporated into a salad or pastry.
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