Latin (Botanical) Name: Persea Gratissima
Plant Family: Lauraceae
Common Extraction Method: Cold press
Typically Used Plant Part: Fruit
Color: Olive green
Aromatic Characteristic: Sweet, oily, nutty
Artifacts made with avocado chunks dating back 12,000 years have been found in parts of Mexico. Avocado was cultivated in Mexico, Central and South America as early as 5000 BC. The Aztecs, Incas, and Mayans used avocado in cosmetic applications such as creating face masks. The Guatemalan Mayans used Avocado to relieve diarrhea, prevent intestinal worms and parasites, and promote healthy hair growth.
Because of the value these pre-Hispanic cultures placed on the Avocado, European conquerors at the time of the Columbian Exchange introduced the fruit to the "New World" where it continued to be highly prized for its various benefits. During the 1830-1880 period, avocado trees were shipped from Mexico to Hawaii, Florida, and California. In the 20th century, the United States began developing avocado fruit varieties suitable for commercial farming, during which time California became the main fruit supplier. In France, Avocado Oil has a prescription drug status due to its ability to address the effects of arthritis.
Today, the world's largest producer is Mexico.
Avocado is quite a unique fruit. While most fruits are primarily composed of carbohydrates, avocados contain high levels of healthy fats. For this reason, avocado has also been called "vegetable oil" or "butter pear" since Aztec times. It has gained a lot of popularity recently due to its health benefits. There are many different types of avocados, from pear-shaped to round, from green to black, from 220 gr to 1.4 kg. It also happens to be called the "alligator pear" because it tends to be pear-shaped and has a green, bumpy rind like an alligator.
Although avocado oil is not as well known as olive oil, it can offer a taste and health just as high as olive oil. Its 12% is saturated fat and 13% is polyunsaturated fats. Avocado oil contains many vitamins and minerals including Vitamin K, Folate, Vitamin C, Potassium, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Vitamin E and small amounts of magnesium, manganese, copper, iron, zinc, phosphorus, Vitamin A, Vitamin B1 (thiamine), Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) and Vitamin B3 (niasin). Avocado oil is very useful for hair and skin care as well as being used in food. We recommend adding this oil to your daily routine for an antioxidant-rich self-care.
KEY COMPONENTS / ACTIVE INGREDIENTS
BENEFITS
Avocado oil helps treat skin problems and injuries. [1] [2] [3] [4] It also helps to give elasticity to the skin with its Omega 7 (palmitoleic acid) content.
It has antioxidant characteristic thanks to the carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin it contains. In addition, thanks to the components such as oleic acid, linoleic acid and vitamin E it contains, it helps to reduce skin itching, protect against skin damage, heal chapped skin, and moisturize the skin. The possibility of clogging the pores is less than many other creams and oils, with this feature it helps to lighten the appearance of wrinkles and soften the skin. [5] [6] [7]
Studies have shown that it has beneficial effects on blood cholesterol levels. Avocado oil, like olive oil, helps increase HDL, the "good" cholesterol. It helps lower LDL cholesterol levels and blood pressure. [8]
Applying avocado oil to the scalp helps in healthy hair growth. You can also add avocado oil to your shampoos or conditioners. Also, applying avocado oil to the tips of your hair helps prevent rupture. You can also choose avocado oil to prevent electrification and to remove the fluffy appearance of hair. [9]
Avocado oil is a good source of lutein, a carotenoid found naturally in the eye. It helps eye health with its antioxidant characteristic. Since our body does not produce lutein, this substance must be taken from the outside. Regular consumption of avocado oil helps protect your eye health. [10] [11]
Arthritis is a disease that involves painful inflammation of the joints. It is very common and affects millions of people worldwide. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. It is associated with the breakdown of cartilage in the joints. Numerous studies show that extracts from avocado oil help reduce pain and stiffness associated with osteoarthritis. [12]
WARNINGS
ACADEMIC STUDIES
[1] Stücker M., Memmel U., Hoffmann M., Hartung J., Altmeyer P. (2001) Vitamin B(12) cream containing avocado oil in the therapy of plaque psoriasis. Dermatology 2001;203(2):141-7.
[2] Oliveira A.P., Franco E.S., Barreto R.R, Cordeiro D.P., Melo R.G., Aquino C.M.F., Silva A.A.R.E., Medeiros P.L., Silva T.G., Góes A.J.S., Maia M.B.S. (2013). Effect of semisolid formulation of persea americana mill (avocado) oil on wound healing in rats. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2013; 2013 : 472382
[3] Nayak B.S., Raju S.S., Rao A.V.C. (2008). Wound healing activity of Persea americana (avocado) fruit: a preclinical study on rats. J Wound Care 2008 Mar;17(3):123-6.
[4] Stücker, M.; U. Memmel; M. Hoffmann; J. Hartung; P. Altmeyer. Vitamin B12 cream containing avocado oil in the therapy of plaque psoriasis. Dermatology 2001, 203, 141–147.
[5] Forero-Doria, O.; Flores, M.; Vergara, C.E.; Guzman, L. Thermal analysis and antioxidant activity of oil extracted from pulp of ripe avocados. J. Therm. Anal. Calorim. 2017, 130, 959–966.
[6] Abaide, E.; Zabot, G.; Tres, M.; Martins, R.; Fagundez, J.; Nunes, L.; Druzian, S.; Soares, J.; Dal Prá, V.; Silva, J.; et al. Yield composition, and antioxidant activity of avocado pulp oil extracted by pressurized fluids. Food Bioprod. Process. 2017, 102, 289–298.
[7] Flores M., Saravia C., Vergara C.E., Avila F., Valdés H., Viedma J.O. (2019) Avocado Oil: Characteristics, Properties, and Applications. Molecules June 2019.
[8] Kritchevsky D., Tepper S. A., Wright S., Czarnecki S.K., Wilson T.A., Nicolosi R.J. (2002). Cholesterol Vehicle in Experimental Atherosclerosis 24: Avocado Oil. Journal of the American College of Nutrition Volume 22, 2003 - Issue 1, Pages 52-55.
[9] Park S., Jeong S. Y., Nam Y. H., Park J.H., Rodriguez I., Shim J.H., Yasmin T., Kwak H.J., Oh Y., Oh M., Lee K.W., Lee J.S., Kim D.H., Park Y.H., Moon I.S., Choung S.Y., Jeong K.W., Hong B.N., Kim S.H., Kang T.H. (2020). Fatty Acid Derivatives Isolated from the Oil of Persea americana (Avocado) Protects against Neomycin-Induced Hair Cell Damage. Plants 2021, 10, 171.
[10] Koh, H.H.; I.J. Murray; D. Nolan; D. Carden; J. Feather; S. Beatty. Plasma and macular response to lutein supplement in subjects with and without age-related maculopathy: a pilot study. Exp. Eye Res. 2004, 79, 21–27
[11] Richer, S.; W. Stiles; L. Statkute; J. Pulido; J. Frankowski; D. Rudy; K. Pei; M. Tsipursky; J. Nyland. Double-masked, placebo-controlled, randomized trial of lutein and antioxidant supplementation in the intervention of atrophic age-related macular degeneration: the Veterans LAST study (Lutein Antioxidant Supplementation Trial). Optometry 2004, 75, 216–229.
[12] Chandra A., Kumar A., Kumar M., Dikshit H. (2019). Beneficial role of Avocado oil orally used in Osteoarthritis: experience in a tertiary care hospital of Bihar, India. International Journal of Basic & Clinical Pharmacology | June 2019 | Vol 8 | Issue 6 Page 1167-1171.
[13] Christiansen B., Bhatti S., Goudarzi R., Emami S. (2015). Management of Osteoarthritis with Avocado/Soybean Unsaponifiables. Cartilage2015, Vol. 6(1) 30 –44.
