The almond tree in bloom, 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, very branched, with elongated leaves and beautiful and aromatic pink or white flowers.
The fruit, ovoid and velvety, contains a single seed inside: the almond The harvest It is usually done at late summer.
They eat its seeds from the almond tree, 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 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 enormous, 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 milkwith a few drops of honey, is also very nutritious. Is suitable for the growth period of children and adolescents, pregnant women, weakened and anemic people, and elderly people.
Medicinal properties of the almond tree
Internally, it appears as a excellent laxative in persistent 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 applied topically It is emollient, dermoprotective, moisturizing and anti-inflammatory. It is indicated for dry, irritated, aging skin, with stretch marks or pimples, and to relieve wounds, dermatitis, pimples, burns, scalds and scratches.
It is also useful to cleanse the skinafter hair removal or as a makeup base. AND serves as a vehicle to use essential oils in the bath or in massage.
Home remedies with almond tree
We can prepare a poultice for dermatitis and inflammation due to ichthyosis with almond leaves.
How to prepare it: They are boiled fresh leaves of almond tree, in equal parts, with thought and ponytail4 tablespoons of the mixture per half a liter of water. It is allowed to rest, strained and with the boiled plants, contained in cheesecloth, the skin is soaked repeatedly.
Precautions and contraindications
There are many types of almond treebut the main difference is 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 toxic, especially for children.
He bitter almond oilobtained by distillation, is used in minimal doses and under control.
Advisor: J Mª Teixé, herbalist from “El Manantial de Salud”