Almonds belong to that very interesting group
of plants that provide us with medicinal relief
of some common ailments and they are delicious
to eat, even without thinking about the good things
they do for us.
Of all the nuts we could choose
to eat, almonds have the lowest oil content, meaning
they are the least fattening. The oils they do
contain are good for us inside and out.
Almonds are one of the many,
many members of the rose family of plants. The
almond tree is native to the Middle East and is
mentioned in the oldest books of the Bible
In Genesis, Joseph (of the amazingly
technicolored dream coat) is offered almonds while
in captivity. Aaron, said to be Moses’ brother
and present with him in Egypt before the exile
of the Israelites, carried a rod made from an
almond branch, according to the book of Exodus.
Foods containing almonds are
both sweet and savory traditions. Anything on
a menu identified as “amandine” means
it is cooked with almonds – flounder amandine,
green beans amandine. For sweet confections, nougat
is a common and much loved component and Jordan
almonds are traditional wedding fare.
Internally, almond oil works
as a mild but effective laxative.
Almond oil is scentless so it
mixes well with fragrant essential oils to make
soothing massage oils that are excellent for softening
and nourishing the skin. Many oil-based scents
used for aromatherapy start with an almond oil
base because it doesn’t compete with other
scents.
The light, easily absorbed oil
from the almond can quell the agonizing itch of
eczema.
When coarsely ground, almonds
provide both oil and texture to make an excellent
facial scrub that cleanses and moisturizes delicate
skin.
So go a little nuts and enjoy
almonds inside and out. What other moisturizer
tastes so good?
Reference
Kruger, Anna; An Illustrated Guide to Herbs: Their
Medicine and Magic; A Dragon’s World Book;
Limpsfield and London; 1993
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