Avocado oil is the dark green, cold-pressed, edible oil extracted from the flesh of the avocado fruit, Persea americana.
Avocado Oil Properties:
- Rich in lecithin, Omega-9 essential fatty acids and vitamins A, D and E.
- Anti-inflammatory emolient in eczema and psoriasis, and as a rejuvenating antioxidant for dry and ageing skin.
- Helps to protect the skin against the damaging effects of the sun..
- Can help with stretch marks.
- Helps prevent chapping and cracked skin.
- Can help stimulate hair growth.
- It has a high sterol content - useful as a carrier oil in blends for arthritic pain.
Uses:
- Excellent for aromatherapy massage, and as a carrier oil for essential oils.
- Great for adding to lip balms, body butters and other aromatherapy recipes for a wonderful rich texture.
- Healthy edible oil, due to its high concentration of oleic acid and vitamins A, D, and E.
Avocado oil is among the top five foods highest in vitamin E. This fat-soluble vitamin is known for improving skin and eye health, bolstering the immune system, providing defense against oxidative damage to cells caused by free-radicals, improving memory and mental acuity, as well as increasing the overall efficiency of the digestive tract.
Furthermore, oleic acid is highly resistant to oxidation, therefore avocado oil won't go rancid as quickly as many other oils when stored for long periods of time. Due to its stability, Avocado oil can also be used for cooking at higher temperatures (in stir fries, saute, etc) without breaking down and losing some of its health benefits as other oils do.
Avocado oil has an unusually high concentration of beta-sitosterol, a type of cholesterol which our bodies can use to convert less healthy fats into forms which are more usable and less damaging to cells. Because avocado oil is anti-inflammatory, it can help to prevent damage to arterial walls which in turn lowers the risk of heart disease caused by plaque deposits. Furthermore, less inflammation in the arteries means avocado oil can also go a long way toward keep blood pressure at normal, healthy levels.
