The almond tree, a beautiful flowering tree and an ally for your skin

The almond blossom, a beautiful natural spectacle

the almond tree (Prunus dulcis) It is one of the first trees to bloom of the year, already in the month of January in some parts of the country. It is a tree with a wide and irregular crown, highly branched, with elongated leaves and beautiful and aromatic pink or white flowers.

The fruit, ovoid and velvety, contains a single seed inside: the almond. Harvest usually done at late summer.

The seeds of the almond tree are eaten, from which the almond milk and oil. The latter is intended for internal and external use, and is part of many ointments, creams and other cosmetic products.

The almond shells are also used as fuel and fertilizer.

Some curiosities about the almond tree

The almond tree, cultivated on a large scale throughout the Mediterranean arc, is considered a characteristic tree of this landscape, but Its origin is located in Persiafrom where it spread to Asia and Europe in ancient times.

Today Spain is the second world producer of almonds after the United States.

Nutritional properties of the almond fruit

Almonds are a very nutritious food. They provide abundant unsaturated fats, fiber, vitamin E and minerals such as calcium, phosphorus and iron, as well as a good proportion of proteins. They are a good resource forreduce LDL cholesterol ratesprevent cardiovascular disorders, strengthen bones and prevent osteoporosis, nourish pregnant and lactating women, strengthen the nervous system and improve theintellectual performance.Their culinary possibilities They are huge, and in addition to being eaten as a dessert or appetizer, they are integrated into salads, stews and sauces, or transformed into cakes, nougats or marzipan.almond milk, with a few drops of honey, is also very nutritious. Is suitable for growing period of children and adolescents, pregnant women, debilitated and anemic people, and the elderly.

Medicinal properties of the almond tree

Internally, it appears as a excellent laxative in obstinate constipation, but the most popular use of the almond tree is like skin allyin external applications.

In herbalism, the vegetable oilwhich is obtained by cold pressing ripe sweet almonds and, to a lesser extent, the leaves.

He sweet almond oil topically applied it is emollient, dermoprotective, moisturizing and anti-inflammatory. It is indicated on dry, irritated, aged skin, with stretch marks or pimples, and to relieve wounds, dermatitis, pimples, burns, scalds and scratches.

It is also useful to clean the skin, after waxing or as a make-up base. AND serves as a vehicle for using essential oils in the bath or massage.

Home remedies with almond

We can prepare a poultice for dermatitis and inflammations due to ichthyosis with almond leaves

How to prepare it: Boil the fresh leaves of almond, in equal parts, with pansy and ponytail, 4 tablespoons of the mixture per half liter of water. Let it rest, strain and with the boiled plants, contained in a gauze, soak the skin repeatedly.

Precautions and contraindications

exist many types of almondbut the main difference is the one between sweet and bitter almonds.

The bitter variety contains a biochemical component, amygdalin, which can be converted to hydrocyanic acid in contact with saliva or water; a compound Very dangerous poison, especially for children.

He bitter almond oilobtained by distillation, is used in minimal doses and under control.

Advisor: J Mª Teixé, herbalist at “El Manantial de Salud”