Do you like eating some almonds for a snack? Are you aware its health benefits? How about some beauty recipes or skin recipes using almond as one of its ingredients?
For a start, almond is a highly nutritious, effective health-building food both for the body and mind. It is also a valuable food remedy for common ailments.
More people are calling almonds their favorite nut-and they are putting their almonds where their mouths are.
From roasted and seasoned almonds in creative, portable packaging to almond granola bars, energy bars and breakfast bars to entrees and vegetable dishes, almonds are found in a variety of new food products.
One reason for their popularity may be their health benefits. Studies have shown that almonds as part of a balanced eating plan can lower LDL, or “bad,” cholesterol and can help promote a healthy weight.
In addition, almonds are packed with the antioxidant vitamin E, magnesium, protein and fiber. They also contain calcium. So, it’s no coincidence almonds have become a favorite ingredient and the healthy snack of choice.
If you are looking for the best variety, then choose the thin-skinned sweet variety. This almond is best for used and one of the best nut and seed to consume. Eating without skin is the best way to eat it.
The distinctive flavor and satisfying crunch of almonds make this nut a prime ingredient in candies, pies, cakes, treats for salting, toasting, and dipping in various kinds of icings.
Marketable products of almonds are almond butter, which tastes like and resembles peanut butter, almond flour, almond extract, an oil extracted from the nuts that is used as a potent flavoring, almond flour – used like flour in cakes and pastries, and almond paste – used in the preparation of confections and candies.
Did you know that you can have a milk alternative using almond? To do this, simply grind the blanched almonds to a smooth paste, add sugar according to your taste and boil in water.
This almond milk preparation gives the consistency of milk, a healthy alternative drink, full of vitamins and nutrition.
Take note, almond milk is more digestible than cow’s milk. Therefore, if you are lactose intolerant, then this is your best bet.
Likewise, this nutritious drink is good for children. What are you waiting for, try this alternative and replace your ordinary dairy with a more healthy option.
Aside from almond milk, there’s also an almond butter, another variation out of almonds.
This is advantageous to the elderly for them to have the right amount of proteins needed in their diet.
As previously mentioned, almonds are easy to digest even if it is high in calorie content and its other ingredients.
Almonds are used as a health benefit due to the cholesterol free fatty acids that reduce the risks of heart disease.
Vitamin E is beneficially concentrated in almonds, which reduces the accumulation of plaque in the arteries, acting as an antioxidant—further reducing inflammation.
We suggest growing your own almond trees for enjoyment, entertainment, and health benefits from eating the almonds, as well as the exercise that is spent in growing your own trees.
Check these health benefits of almond:
- A useful food remedy for anemia as it contains copper, iron, and vitamins.
- It helps you to have healthy heart and lowers cholesterol.
- Useful in preserving the vitality of the brain.
- It strengthens your bone health.
- It strengthens the muscles and prolongs life.
- It lowers the risk of weight gain.
- It protects you from diabetes and heart disease.
- A handful of almonds, approximately 7 to 10 taken at nighttime with or without hot milk are beneficial in the treatment of constipation.
- Eating almonds regularly will strengthen sexual power and restore sexual vigor.
- To those with skin diseases, pulverize few leaves of wild almond with water and cream and apply to affected parts.
- External application of almond oil in case of irritation and itching will ease the pain.
- A teaspoon of almond oil, with few drops of fresh white onion juice, ginger juice, taken thrice daily for a fortnight is useful in whooping cough, bronchitis and asthma.
Isn’t almond amazing?
If almond is good for the body, then it is also good for your skin, right?
Therefore, here are other ways almond can be beneficial for you skin:
- Face pack made from almond paste mixed with milk cream and rose bud paste is an effective beauty aid.
- Prevents premature appearance of wrinkles, black heads, pimples and dry skin.
- Massage the scalp with a teaspoon of almond oil mixed with Amla juice and massage over the scalp for remedy for falling hair, thinness of hair, dandruff and avoids untimely graying of hair.
In addition, have a treat for your skin using almond or almond oil as one of the ingredients in the skin care, beauty recipes you will find below.
Almond Oil Wrinkle Cream
You will need:
1 tbsp. of an infusion of comfrey leaves OR 1 tbs. of a decoction of comfrey roots
1 tbsp. lanolin
2 tsp. sweet almond oil
2 tsp. water
2 tsp. cod liver oil
You have to:
Melt lanolin and almond oil in a double boiler. Add water and allow it to cool.
Mix in cod liver oil and comfrey.
Apply gently to face and rinse off after 5 to 10 minutes.
This is a rich moisturizer that boosts the water-holding capacity of your skin and helps plump out wrinkled areas.
Infusion: This is a beverage made like tea, by pouring boiled water over plants and steeping to extract the active ingredients.
The normal amounts are about 1/2 to 1 ounce of plant to one pint of boiled water. You should let the mixture steep for 5 to 10 minutes, covered, and strain the infusion into a cup.
Decoction:
This preparation allows you to extract primarily the mineral salts and bitter principles rather than vitamins and volatile ingredients.
The normal amounts are about 1/2 ounce plant to 1 cup water.
Bring ingredients to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for up to 4 minutes.
Remove from heat and steep the mixture with the cover on the pot for a few minutes.
Almond Rosewater Body Lotion
You will need:
¼ cup rosewater
¼ cup glycerin
2 tbsp. witch hazel
1 tbsp. almond oil
You have to:
Mix together rosewater and glycerin.
Add witch hazel and almond oil.
Stir completely to dissolve.
Pour into a pretty bottle.
Note: Rosewater can be purchased at some health food stores or pharmacies, also carried at most middle-eastern or Indian specialty groceries or specialty cooking stores OR… you can try your hand at making your own rosewater)
Almond Salt Scrub
You will need:
1/4 cup almond oil
1/2 cup salt
1/4 cup almond milk
Approx. 1 1/2 oz. melted glycerin soap
Almond fragrance oil
You have to:
Stir well. Place in clean dry container.
To use, place approximately 1 tablespoon of scrub in palm and add enough water to make a soft paste.
Massage into skin. Rinse well.
Almond-Honey Scrub
You will need:
2 tbsp. crushed almonds
1 tbsp. honey
You have to:
Mix the ingredients.
Leave on the face for 5 minutes.
Rub in well, and then rinse.
Almond-Mayonnaise Scrub
(For Very Dry Skin)
You will need:
1/4 cup almonds
1/8 tsp. mayonnaise
You have to:
Grind almonds in blender until they form a meal.
Whirl in mayonnaise.
Vinegar-Rinse your skin
Rub or scrub gently and thoroughly.
Leave on skin for about 10 minutes.
Rinse off and follow with a Vinegar Rinse.
Oatmeal and Almond Scrub
You will need:
¼ cup finely ground oatmeal
¼ cup finely ground almonds
You have to:
Stir well. Place in clean dry container.
To use, place approximately 1 tablespoon of scrub in palm and add enough water to make a soft paste.
Massage into skin. Rinse well.
Almond-Butter Hand Softener
You will need:
1 tbsp. almond oil
1 cup butter
You have to:
Mix the ingredients well.
Before bed, massage the mixture into your hands, and then cover with white cotton gloves.
Wear all night while sleeping.
Almond Cleanser
Grind almonds to a fine powder in a blender.
Wet face and then rub on almond powder.
Rinse well.
Store the powder in a tightly sealed container.
Beeswax-Almond Hand Cream
You will need:
¼ cup beeswax
½ cup almond oil
½ cup coconut oil
¼ cup rosewater
You have to:
Melt the beeswax and coconut oil over a double boiler.
Add the remaining ingredients and heat until well mixed, several minutes.
Pour into a container while still hot since it does harden as it cools.
This makes about 1½ cups.
Vanilla And Almond Soap
You will need:
1/3 cup whole almonds
¼ ounce bar Castile soap
¼ cup distilled water
1 tablespoon almond oil
1/8 teaspoon vanilla fragrance oil
You have to:
Grind the almonds to a fine powder in a food processor or coffee grinder and set aside.
Shred the soap and set aside.
In a heavy saucepan, bring the water to a boil; then reduce heat to a simmer.
Remove the pan from the heat and add the almond powder, almond oil, and vanilla fragrance oil, stirring until well blended.
Spoon the soap into a mold and let set for five hours or until hardened.
Lotion Bar
You will need:
2 oz. Olive Oil
2 oz. Sweet Almond Oil
6 oz. Beeswax
Essential Oil or Fragrant Oil of your choice (optional)
You have to:
Just melt the wax and oils in a double boiler
Scent if you wish and pour into whatever small mold you like.
Allow to harden.
Almond Orange Body Lotion
You will need:
1/8 tsp. borax powder
1/2 cup almond oil
1 tsp. coconut oil
1 tsp. grated beeswax
2 tbsp. honey.
3-4 drops essential orange oil
You have to:
Make as for Mint Body Lotion
There you have it! Indeed, almond is valuable for your health and your skin. You can consume it just as it is, as a milk or butter, use for cooking, baking, as a home remedy or even as an ingredient for some beauty skin recipes.
