There are many oils that we already know the benefits. Such as Coconut Oil Benefits, Health Benefits of Olive Oil , Benefits of Fish Oils , or even Health Benefits of Avocado Oil . However, have you ever heard of apricot oil? This oil comes from a fruit that has the scientific name of Prunus Armeniaca that is still in the family with plums. There are several health benefits of apricot oil that can also be felt by our body, especially our skin and hair.
Apricot that has the orange color and comes from China can be one of the oil that has many benefits for our body. How? Apricots have seeds that can be extracted to produce apricot kernel oil. Seeds of these apricots contain 40-50% oil and have a clear yellow color that comes with a slightly nutty taste. In China, apricot oil is believed to be one of the treatments for tumors and ulcers.
Nutrition value of apricot oil per 100 g
- Calories                      884
- Total Fat                     100 g
- Saturated Fat             6 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat   29 g
- Monounsaturated Fat 60 g
Apricot oil is one of the oils that act as a source of vitamin A and vitamin E. The high content of gamma linoleic acid (a type of omega-6) is also owned by this oil. In addition, this apricot oil contains vitamin B1, vitamin B2, and also vitamin B6.
Apricot oils are rich in the properties that our body desperately needs. Those properties are emollient, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, anti-bacterial, antiseptic, antioxidant.
So, what are the health benefits of apricot oil that is useful to our body?
1. Good for heart
We all know that heart disease is a very dangerous disease and can cause death. A study applied to mice, showing the result that apricot oil has the benefit to reduce the risk of myocardial infarction (heart attack). Other than that, uncontrolled use of cooking oil can be one cause of heart disease. Instead of using regular cooking oil, try to use apricot oil while cooking your food.
It’s a common belief that by replacing the usual cooking oil with apricot oil, you can improve your heart’s health by 50% for the better. Because apricot oil contains lycopene which serves to prevent the occurrence of heart disease. You can also check this useful article Heart Attack Symptoms
2. Prevent cancer
Apricot oil is one of the oils that has benefits to Prevent Cancer Naturally . How? According to research, apricot oil has a high vitamin B17 content that serves to prevent the risk of cancer. Other than that, apricot oil also contains vitamin C that serves to prevent the occurrence of cancer cells. including preventing bone cancer and cervical cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer and etc.
3. Good for skin
The content of essential fatty acids, linoleic acid, and oleic acid that present in this oil helps to keep our skin healthy. Vitamin E and vitamin A that owned by apricot oil act as a skin moisturizer, which makes our skin smooth and supple.
Apply apricot oil on the skin or use a lotion product that containing this apricot oil to protect your skin from the effects of sunlight that can cause skin irritation.
In addition, the contents possessed by this apricot oil serves to overcome the damage of the skin and even protect the skin by preventing it from harmful damage.
4. Overcome acne
Do you have a problem with acne? Try using this apricot oil. The linoleic and oleic acids that belong to apricot oil have anti-inflammatory properties that act as a protective skin from acne. There are other options in using this oil.
There is a source recommending to try mixing apricot oil with lavender oil and tea tree oil, then apply it to the part of the skin that affected of acne. The other way, you can see here Ways How to Get Rid of Acne Fast with Natural Remedies
5. Act as carrier oil
Apricot oil has the properties of carrier oil that serves to spread oil or other mixtures evenly on the skin. Therefore, apricot oil is often used as a massage oil and also often used in aromatherapy because this oil is easily absorbed by the skin. This fact is based on the statement of nutrition consultant, Phyllis Balch.
6. Good for hair
Apricot oil is useful for moisturizing hair and maintaining hair roots so it can make your hair soft and look luminous.
7. Maintain skin elasticity
Want to have a bright skin? Apricot oil can be used as a face mask by combining it with other ingredients. This method can make your skin become soft. Other than that, apricot oil has a nutritious revitalizing effect on the skin so this oil is often used as an aromatherapy. For those of you who like a warm bath, mix this apricot oil in water as a way to get a soft skin.
8. Anti-aging
Want a youthful skin? Apricot oil has been proven have the benefit of eliminating signs of premature aging. Use this oil as a face mask.
9. Moisturize lips
Are you usually using lip balm before going to sleep on your lips? Try to apply this apricot oil on your lips as a lip balm. Apricot oil is also useful for maintaining healthy lips, and useful to overcome dry lips or chapped lips.
10. Overcome flu
When the time of the transition season comes, many people will experience the flu. There is a proverb saying better to prevent than to cure.
So, before you have the flu, start using apricot oil. Apricot oil has a beneficial nutritional content to boost the immune system and fight against viruses that can cause flu.
11. Overcome arthritis
Do you suffer Arthritis? Arthritis is a condition in which a person suffers from chronic inflammation of the joint that often causes pain and sore.
If you suffering this painful illness, you can count on apricot oil. Apricot oil has a good nutritional content and also anti-inflammatory properties that serve to reduce and overcome the symptoms of arthritis.
12. Overcoming constipation and diarrhea
Diarrhea really bothered us. If you have diarrhea, it proves that you need lots of fiber in your body. You can also count on apricot oil in this case.
Apricot oils have a high fiber content. This fiber is needed by the body to help the digestive system to work properly. So, by consuming this apricot oil, it can be avoiding your body from constipation and diarrhea.
13. Good for eyes
Apricot oil can also help maintain the health of your eyes. Apricot oil contains beta-carotene which acts as an antioxidant that serves to keep your eyes healthy. That way, this apricot oil can help your eyes avoid eye disorders such as cataracts, macular degeneration, and farsightedness.
Moreover, you can also apply apricot oil under your eyes to resolve dark circles problem, swelling, and strengthen the skin around that area. Thus, the area around your eyes can be avoided from fine lines or wrinkles.
14. Overcome anemia
Are you anemic? Anemia is caused because we lack blood which as a result of a decrease in the level of stability of hormones that make your body tired easily. There are several ways to do the Anemia Treatments. But, you can also rely on apricot oil to overcome anemia. Apricot oil works to stabilize blood levels in the body.
15. Deal with cholesterol
The author of “New Good Food”, Margaret Wittenberg, has said that using apricot oil as a cooking ingredient, it can help your body lower bad cholesterol levels and improve cardiovascular health.
How use apricot oil?
There are many Health Benefits of Apricots Seeds. You can use it as a hair oil. Apply this apricot oil on your hair and scalp evenly and massage for about 10 minutes. After that, wash your hair with shampoo in the next morning. Or, you can simply give a few drops of apricot oil on your conditioner, and apply directly to your hair. Do not forget to rinse it.
More options. Apricot oil is also often used for massaging. You can use apricot oil instead of butter when you make bread and cookies. If you cook soup or make a salad, you can add apricot oil as a flavor enhancer or as a complement to the ingredients. You can also immediately consume it to feel the health benefits of apricot oil on your body.
Caution of using apricot oil!
Apricot oil has an amygladin substance. This substance can be converted by our bodies into cyanide, a poison that is very harmful to the body.
Normally, this substance has been removed from the oil product. But, it’s better if you check with certainty that this substance has been removed. In addition, the use of apricot oil doses is different for each individual.
Make sure you are looking for the right information in relation to the dose required when you consuming apricot oil. It would be better if you ask for directions of using apricot oil from the doctor.