Apricot Oil Prunus armeniaca the center of diversity of the apricot is northeastern China near the Russian border (in the Great Wall area) not Armenia as the botanical name suggests. From there it spread west throughout central Asia. Cultivation in China dates back 3000 yrs, and then movement to Armenia, then the movement to Europe from there, was slow; the Romans introduced apricots to Europe in 70-60 BC through Greece and Italy. Apricots probably moved to the US through English settlers on the East Coast, and Spanish Missionaries in California. Today, apricots are grown almost exclusively in California and Southern Europe. The tree is a small to medium sized tree with a spreading, dense canopy; generally kept to less than 3.5 m in cultivation. The finely textured carrier oil is easily absorbed by the skin without leaving it feeling oily and is high in poly-unsaturated fatty acids; it has a faint pleasant nutty aroma. This is a light textured, nourishing oil with a high vitamin A content. It is useful for all skin types, especially dry, mature or sensitive skin. It is best kept under refrigeration as it has a shelf life of approximately six to twelve months.
Cautions - This oil can be used in any cosmetic product as an active principle ingredient or as a carrier in the oily phase, without any proportion limit. Good oil for face and body.
Description:
Apricot oil has very little scent characteristic of most carrier oils
Uses: Apricot is very popular oil and is suitable for manufacturers, aroma therapists and massage therapists.
Consistency: Typical and Characteristic of Carrier Oils.
How can oil made from a stone fruit that contains cyanide be good for you? It’s true that cyanide is naturally synthesized from sugars in the raw seeds of certain fruits, like apricots. But, when cold-pressed, apricot kernels yield light, mildly fragrant oil that is perfectly safe and loaded with fatty acids and antioxidant vitamins. This nourishing oil is good for every body of every age- inside and out.
Apricot kernel oil is cold-pressed from the dried seeds of the fruit of the apricot tree. This natural oil is light-colored and fragrant, imparting a somewhat nutty aroma. This oil is excellent to use for high-temperature frying and cooking and to make salad dressings According to James A. Duke, Ph.D., apricot kernel oil is rich in fatty acids and vitamins A, C and E. This makes the oil highly nutritious. The oil is also commonly used in the cosmetics industry in the production of various personal care products, particularly skin care formulas. Apricot kernel oil is also used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat inflammatory skin disorders, often in combination with other botanical materials.
Semra Turan and fellow scientists at University in Turkey published a paper in the Dec. 26, 2007 issue of the “Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry” that detailed the compositions of oils obtained from nine different varieties of apricots grown in the Malatya region of Turkey.
Nutritional Benefits
Due to a high oleic acid and linoleum acid content, apricot kernel oil is considered a good source of unsaturated fats. As the American Heart Association notes, this makes the oil healthier to use in cooking since fats “saturated” with hydrogen atoms -- otherwise known as saturated fats -- contain more energy, which translates into more calories from fat. Although the chemical structure of apricot kernel oil makes it more susceptible to turning rancid from lipid per oxidation, the presence of natural antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E, help to offset decomposition and extend shelf life. The oil is also encapsulated for use a dietary supplement because it is an excellent source of essential fatty acids and antioxidants.
Cosmetic Use
Apricot kernel oil is found in many different types of cosmetics and personal care products, including soaps, creams, lotions, ointments, shampoos and conditioners. Unlike some oils that remain on the surface of the skin, apricot kernel oil is readily absorbed without leaving a greasy residue. If you tend to experience dry, itchy skin after bathing or showering, this is the perfect oil to lightly apply to damp skin before toweling off.
Massage
since apricot kernel oil is moisturizing and quickly absorbed into the skin, it is often used as massage oil. Using good quality oil can considerably enhance the benefits of massage, which range from reducing stress, pain and inflammation and instilling an overall sense of well-being. Apricot kernel oil is also very mild and non-irritating, making it suitable for children and infant massage.
Safety
Generally, the use of apricot kernel oil is very safe. However, if you buy the oil to use for culinary purposes make sure the label says “edible” or contains other language that indicates that it hasn’t been adulterated. The reason for this is because some manufacturers add stabilizing agents to apricot kernel oil intended for cosmetic use to extend shelf life, chemicals that you don’t necessarily want to share with family and friends at the dinner table.
There is another specific caution regarding apricot kernel oil worth noting. Until the U.S. Food and Drug Administration prohibited the import of amygdaline-based products from Mexico marketed under the names “vitamin B-17” and a semi-synthetic product called “laetrile” in the 1970s, they were widely touted as anti-cancer treatments. According to the National Cancer Institute of the U.S., amygdaline, which is found in apricot kernels and other fruit seeds, is a plant sugar that creates cyanide. The institute also says that there is no scientific evidence that this substance inhibits cancer. Unfortunately, even under the threat of criminal prosecution, Internet sales of these products continue. So, while consuming apricot kernel oil is safe, stay clear of “vitamins” that contain raw apricot kernels or amygdaline.
Apricot oil is slow to go rancid; users can expect a shelf life of 6 Months to 1 Year with proper storage conditions (cool, out of direct sunlight). Refrigeration after opening is recommended.