Almond Oil Benefits and Side effects

Almond Oil is said to have many skin benefiting properties which justify its extensive usage in beauty products. The moisturizing properties of almond oil help combat dry and sensitive skin. Almond oil also softens the skin and helps in improving skin tone and complexion. In Ayurveda, almond oil is used for the treatment of psoriasis and eczema.

Animal studies suggest that almond oil is effective in protecting the skin against UV radiation and also curbs the photoaging process.

As a good source of Vitamin E, almond oil can help fight the early sign of ageing. So, mix a few drops of almond oil in your face pack or in your massage oil and say goodbye to skin ageing problems.

Just like its skin benefits, almond oil can do wonders for your hair and scalp. Here are some benefits that regular almond oil usage can provide for your hair.

• Traditionally, almond oil is believed to promote hair growth, reduce dandruff and maintain scalp health. 
• The moisturising properties of almonds can be beneficial in the treatment of dry scalp.
• Also, it is a rich source of Vitamin E which has been found to be effective in reducing hair loss. 
• The antioxidant properties of Vitamin E could be effective in reducing premature hair greying.

Women normally struggle with scars and stretch marks during and after pregnancy. Though these do not have any major side effects, they can cause irritation of skin and discomfort. A study conducted on the skin related properties of almond oil showed that it had the ability to heal abdominal stretch marks in women. As per this study, regular application of almond oil resulted in the fading of stretch marks and it also helped prevent itching and redness. 

Earwax is a type of oil produced in the ear canal, which is helpful in preventing the entry of small particles and insects into the ear. However, the presence of excessive earwax can lead to pain in ears or create a feeling of ear blockage. If ignored, it can also cause partial deafness. While usage of earbuds is one way of getting rid of excessive wax, ear wax softeners can also be used. They soften the wax which then becomes easier to remove.

The British National Formulary recommends almond oil as an ear wax softener to get rid of excessive ear wax.

According to this study, 3 drops of almond oil, when used 4 times a day for a period of one week can soften the earwax significantly. However, it is advisable that you refer to a doctor before putting anything in your ear.

Including almond oil in diet can help boost immunity, keeping the individual healthy. In a study which monitored effects of Vitamin E on human health, it was observed that vitamin E deficiency negatively affected the immunity parameters while the supplementation of the same boosted immunity.  Thus, it could be suggested that Vitamin E is one of the most important nutrients for maintaining immunity. Almond Oil is s rich source of Vitamin E. Hence consumption of almond oil can boost immunity.

Instead of consuming almond oil you can rather opt for an almond oil massage, which would provide you with the same benefit. Preliminary studies demonstrate that aromatherapy massage with sweet almond oil is effective in increasing the number of lymphocytes (WBCs) in the body along with reducing stress. 

The condition of shifting of a part of or the entire rectum wall is called as rectal prolapse. The shifted rectum then appears as a protrusion near the anus. Also, it may be associated with itching and leakage of blood or faeces from the anus. The most common causes of rectal prolapse include diarrhoea, excessive pressure in abdomen, malnutrition or weakness in the pelvic area.

Children in the age group between 1 year to 4 years are easily affected by rectal prolapse. In a clinical study, children suffering from rectal prolapse and belonging to different age groups were injected with a solution of phenol in almond oil. The injection cured all the affected children without any side effects. The study recommended the use of phenol in almond oil injection as the first treatment for rectal prolapse in children; however, it is suggested that you talk to your doctor to know more about its safety profile and usage.

Haemorrhoids are a type of tissue that is present in the anal canal. Any inflammation in hemorrhoidal tissue is known as piles. Usually caused by problems like chronic constipation and diarrhoea, it is associated with symptoms like bleeding, itching, and pain after passing stools.

Phenol almond oil is currently being used for the treatment of piles. Almond oil is known as a sclerosant, which means that it helps in shrinking and dissolution of affected tissue.

According to a clinical study, 5% phenol almond oil is as effective as dextrose water in the treatment of 1st, 2nd and 3rd-degree haemorrhoids.

Dental plaque is characterized by the formation of a sticky and colourless bacterial film on the tooth surface. It can lead to many oral problems including tooth decay. In a clinical analysis involving 80 people, regular use of almond oil toothpaste was found to be effective in reducing dental plaque.

It was further suggested that almond oil inhibited the growth of S. mutans which is the causative agent of dental caries. No side effects were observed in any of the volunteers.

Oil pulling is yet another way that almond oil can help you maintain oral hygiene. According to a study published in the Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, oil pulling with almond oil is effective in reducing the risk of gingivitis.

Increase in level of low-density lipoprotein (bad cholesterol) can cause several health complications. It is specifically detrimental to heart health. Hence, it is essential to maintain low levels of LDL and high levels of HDL (good cholesterol) for maintaining optimal health. 

A clinical study was conducted to study the effect of a diet consisting of almond and almond oil on cholesterol levels. The researchers observed that while the consumption of almond and almond oil did not affect the levels of HDL or good cholesterol in the body, it worked very rapidly against LDL and thus resulted in a quick reduction of the harmful LDL cholesterol.

In a further study, almond oil consumption, for a period of 6 weeks was found to reduce LDL levels along with increasing HDL levels. 

Though more studies are still needed to confirm the effect of almond oil on good cholesterol, it can definitely do wonders when it comes to reducing bad cholesterol in our bodies.

(Read more: High cholesterol treatment)

In vivo studies suggest the hepatoprotective properties of almond oil. It was further observed to be useful in reducing the negative effects of oxidative stress on the liver, thereby improving its function. However, human studies are still needed to confirm the benefits of almond oil consumption on liver.

(Read more: Foods to improve liver health)

Hyperglycemia refers to the presence of excess glucose (sugar) in the blood. When left untreated, it poses a threat to the normal functioning of the body, especially your cardiovascular system. Hence, it is essential to maintain blood glucose levels.

Studies indicate that almond oil is an effective hypoglycemic (reduces blood sugar) agent. In a comparative research, the advantages of consuming almonds, almond butter, almond oil on blood glucose levels were monitored. Amongst all, almond oil was found to be most effective in controlling glucose levels throughout the day. It also reduced postprandial ​(after a meal) spike in blood sugar levels, which one of the major concerns in diabetic and prediabetic people.

(Read more: Diabetes treatment)

Several research studies have been conducted to prove the anti-cancer abilities of almonds. Almond Oil contains antioxidant properties that are said to be crucial in the treatment and prevention of cancer. These antioxidants are known to help in stopping the production of free radicals that result in the growth of cancer cells. 

Animal-based studies indicate that an active fraction present in almond oil has preventive effects on colorectal cancer.

Further, almond oil is a rich source of Vitamin E, which also protects against cell damage caused by free radicals. Along with preventing inflammation and improving skin barrier function, it has been found to reduce the risk of skin cancer.

(Read more: Cancer types)