Latin (Botanical) Name: Corylus avellana
Plant Family: Betulaceae
Common Extraction Method: Cold press
Typically Used Plant Part: Kernel
Color: Light yellow
Aromatic Characteristic: Light, nutty, sweet aroma
Hazelnut has a very ancient and fascinating history. Many writers, naturalists and historians have put forward different views about his homeland. Archaeological excavations prove that hazelnuts were part of the mesolithic diets around 10000 BC. Pieces of charred hazelnut shells were found at most of the excavation sites (8000-2700 BC). In Chinese written sources, it is stated that hazelnut, which is stated to be cultivated in China in 2838 BC, is one of the five sacred fruits that God bestowed on people.
The great historian of antiquity, Herodotus (490-425 BC), in his work called The History of Herodotus, writes that hazelnuts were grown in the east of the Black Sea, and also describes how hazelnut oil was extracted in ancient times. Obtaining hazelnut oil by placing the hazelnut kernels in a bag and squeezing them is similar to the methods used in obtaining oil from olives and hazelnuts in rural areas today.
The word hazelnut comes from the word "pontik", which is derived from "Pont Exinus", which was the name of the Black Sea in ancient times. Plinus also recorded that the hazelnut was called "Pontos walnut" because it was brought from the shores of Pontos. Hazelnut has spread to Mediterranean, Middle East and European countries by bringing its name together from the Eastern Black Sea.
It has been a good source of food and healing for humans since prehistoric times. The great Turkish scholar İbn-i Sina (930-1037) mentions hazelnut as a medicine used in various diseases in his work called El Kanun Fi't-Tıbb.
The nut comes from the Corylus tree. It is mostly grown in Turkey, Italy, Spain and the United States. It is mostly produced in Giresun, Ordu and Trabzon provinces in Turkey. It likes moist and humus soils. It has a sweet taste and can be eaten raw, roasted or mashed. Like other nuts, hazelnuts are rich in nutrients. In the composition of hazelnut fruit there are 55-60% oil, 14-16% protein, 11-12% carbohydrates, 4.5-5% water, 2% ash, minerals such as phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, manganese, zinc, iron, sodium and vitamins B1, B2 and E [1] [2] [3] [4].
Hazelnut oil is produced by cold pressing hazelnuts. Due to its many beneficial properties, it is used in personal care and cosmetic products as well as in food preparations and in the pharmaceutical industry.
Since it is absorbed quickly, it does not leave a greasy feeling, it is often used by massage therapists.
It offers many benefits thanks to the fatty acids it contains.
KEY COMPONENTS / ACTIVE INGREDIENTS
BENEFITS
Hazelnut oil helps the skin to moisturize, refresh and maintain its natural shine. With its high content of vitamin E and fatty acids, it helps to increase hydration in the outermost layer of the skin. Vitamin E in hazelnut oil helps to increase the elasticity of the skin and make the skin look tight and supple by keeping the skin moist. While hazelnut oil helps tighten the skin, unlike other alcohol-based firming products, it does not dry the skin and does not cause irritation. Therefore, it is also safe for sensitive skin [1] [2] [3] [4].
Collagen is the protein found in the skin, hair, nails, teeth, bones, muscles, joints and tissues that forms the structural skeleton of the body. It is the most abundant protein in the body and makes up one-third of all body proteins. Its main task is to strengthen connective tissues and give elasticity to the skin. With the natural cycle of life and aging, the skin's collagen production decreases. With a lack of collagen, the skin and hair lose their elasticity and become vulnerable to damage. Wrinkles begin to appear on the skin that loses its elasticity and breakage in the hair. Hazelnut oil helps increase collagen production by reducing an enzyme that destroys collagen [2] [4] [5].
Hazelnut oil contains tannins, which are powerful antioxidants [6]. The tannins in hazelnut oil help dry oily skin, clean and shrink pores, and destroy bacteria [4] [7].
Hazelnut oil contains oleic and linoleic fatty acids to help reduce the appearance of fine lines or wrinkles caused by sun exposure [4] [8].
Sunlight creates free radicals that damage cells and lead to signs of skin aging. Vitamin E helps protect the body by neutralizing free radicals and protecting cell membranes from sun damage [2] [4].
WARNINGS
ACADEMIC STUDIES
[1] R. Ganceviciene, A. I. Liakou, A. Theodoridis, E. Makrantonaki, C. C. Zouboulis (2012). Skin anti-aging strategies. Dermatoendocrinol. 2012 Jul 1; 4(3): 308–319.
[2] R. R. Korać, K. M. Khambholja (2011). Potential of herbs in skin protection from ultraviolet radiation. Pharmacogn Rev. 2011 Jul-Dec; 5(10): 164–173.
[3] Bensouilah J, Buck P, Tisserand R, Avis A. Aromadermatology: Aromatherapy in the Treatment and Care of Common Skin Conditions. Abingdon: Radcliffe Publishing Ltd; 2006.
[4] M. Michalak, A. K. Dadasiewic (2019). Nut Oils and their Dietetic and Cosmetic Significance: a Review. J. Oleo Sci. 68, (2) 111-120 (2019)
[5] L. Bolke, G. Schlippe, J. Gerß, W. Voss (2019). A Collagen Supplement Improves Skin Hydration, Elasticity, Roughness, and Density: Results of a Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Blind Study. Nutrients 2019, 11, 2494; doi:10.3390/nu11102494.
[6] K. M. Riedl, S. Carando, H. M. Alessio, M. McCarthy, A. E. Hagerman (2002). Antioxidant Activity of Tannins and Tannin-Protein Complexes: Assessment In Vitro and In Vivo. Free Radicals in Food, Chapter 14pp 188-200.
[7] Yalçın H. (2011). Antioxidative effects of some phenolic compounds and carotenoids on refined hazelnut oil. Journal für Verbraucherschutz und Lebensmittelsicherheit 6(3):353-358.
[8] M B Purba 1, A Kouris-Blazos, N Wattanapenpaiboon, W Lukito, E M Rothenberg, B C Steen, M L Wahlqvist. Skin wrinkling: can food make a difference? J Am Coll Nutr. 2001 Feb;20(1):71-80.
