How To Reduce Depression And Stress With The Help Of Badam Oil?
Almonds are the oldest and most widely cultivated of all nut crops in the world. They were first found in the Middle East, and people soon discovered that it was extremely beneficial to extract the oil from their seeds. Almost half of the weight of dry Almond was found to be oil, and ripe Almonds were pressed to extract the oil at minimal heat.
Almonds and almond oil are common as nutrient-rich sources. You might have come across nutritionists who advise people to add almonds with the oil to their daily diet and beauty products to feed the skin. It is also used as an ayurvedic treatment for depression and stress. Almonds provide us with what our body needs and are an essential part of our life anyway.
The almonds are packed with such nutrients as
- Unsaturated fats: monounsaturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fats, and phytosterols (the plant form of cholesterol that is close in structure but not identical)
- Vitamins B: Vitamin B2 (also called riboflavin), vitamin B3 ( niacin), and vitamin B9 (folate)
- Vitamin E, especially the α-tocopherol form.
- Minerals: Magnesium, calcium, potassium, copper, manganese, arsenic, and zinc
- Proteins: In particular, high arginine levels (an amino acid)
- Fiber
- Almonds are also high in unsaturated fat.
- In almond oil, the fatty acids are mostly oleic acid and linoleic acid, with traces of other fatty acid types. These two fatty acids are thought to be the most relevant components of the almond oil’s potential health benefits
However, the exact quantity of each component in any particular batch of almonds or almond oil may vary depending on the variety of almonds used, the year they were harvested, the location of the orchard in which they were grown, and other processing and storage differences.
Ayurvedic Badam Roghan oil is one of the versatile and pure almond oil that has amazing benefits for both internal and external usage.
Types
Almond oil has two main types: sweet and bitter almond oil. As their names signify, these two oils are derived from different almond varieties. These various types of almond oil have different uses, although the form of almond oil used in scientific studies is always sweet due to health concerns about the possible toxicity of bitter almond oil.
Bitter almond oil
Bitter almond oil is mostly used in cooking, as well as for several uses related to health. Typically, bitter almond oil is used as a flavoring syrup in baking. The taste of bitter almond oil of food-grade originates mainly from a compound called benzaldehyde, which is also present in artificial bitter almond flavorings.
Food-grade bitter almond oil is treated to extract the amygdalin (a compound in bitter almonds that is metabolized into cyanide) to avoid cyanide poisoning from being consumed. This procedure would usually not have been used for crude bitter almond oil. Therefore, we strongly advise against the use of bitter almond oil for any reason.
Sweet almond oil
Sweet almond oil is used as a carrier oil which means diluting other essential oils to make them safer for skin use. This is because sweet almond oil does not evaporate quickly, has a mild odor, and is absorbed easily by the skin. The function as a carrier oil also gives it specific properties when it is used for the delivery of other drugs and compounds. Besides, sweet almond oil is used as a flavoring in many food types, or even eaten by itself
Almond oil and stress
Almond oils offer a natural remedy for stress feelings. This can be beneficial if you feel regularly stressed and don’t want to rely on medication, or if you want short-term relief for situations such as an examination or job interview. Almond oils contain tiny molecules that the body absorbs quickly. This fast absorption ensures you can feel the oil’s benefits within 20 minutes.
- Inhalation– The inhalation of almond oils aromas stimulates the olfactory nerves inside the nose. And those nerves interact inside the brain with the limbic system. The limbic system is generally known as the emotional brain and is linked directly to other parts of the brain which regulate heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, memory, stress rates, and hormone balance. That is why our sense of smell is so closely connected with our emotional responses and mood, and why some smells remind us of past experiences.
- Through the skin, oils such as sweet almond oil or olive oil, when added to the skin, either inside a cream or with other oils. The small oil molecules quickly spread into the bloodstream and are transported throughout the body, relieving muscle tension and stress-caused general aches and pains.
Here are a few ways to get your almond oil’s calming benefits:
- Add a few drops to a tissue and breathe in the aroma for quick, soothing relief.
- For a calming spritz, mix with water in a spray bottle (try spraying a scarf and carrying it with you throughout the day)
- Put a few drops in the bath for a warm, relaxing soak.
- Sprinkle some on your bed for a good night’s sleep
- Using a diffuser in your home for long-lasting calmness
The practice of Aromatherapy also involves massaging the body with herbal oils. The only difference is the type of oil that is used. There is one carrier oil like almond oil in Aromatherapy and one essential therapeutic oil. Carrier oil has the function of diluting the essential oils and “carrying” them to your skin. Almond oil acts as a carrier oil and mixing it with or without essential oils can provide amazing benefits.
Almond oil and depression
Almond oil does not cure depression, but it is used as ayurvedic medicine for depression. However, alongside traditional therapies for depression, such as behavioral therapy and antidepressants, almond oils provide benefits as a supplementary therapy. Several studies have shown that some oils can alleviate depression-related psychological and physical symptoms.
The compounds in almond oils can communicate with the body by being absorbed into the bloodstream through the skin or by activating brain areas through inhalation. When specialized nerve cells detect smells in the upper part of the nose, they send an impulse to the brain with the olfactory nerve into an area called the olfactory bulb. The olfactory bulb detects the impulse and transmits the odor information to other nearby brain regions. Those other areas are called the limbic system. The limbic system is a set of brain structures that could play a vital role in controlling behavior, emotions, memory, and mood.
Because of their smell, the use of almond oils to help ease depression symptoms could work. The aromas are very emotional. Each responds differently to scents — how they respond to an odor depends on what they associate with that odor. They may, for instance, equate a particular fragrance with a long-forgotten memory.
Apart from this, almond oil can also be used extensively for beauty purposes. It is not only used for bright and healthy skin but also reduces dark circles and puffy eyes. It is also used to strengthen the hair.
To benefit significantly from almond oil, using Ayurvedic Badam Roghan oil will be the best option. When consumed with warm milk or applied on skin and hair, it provides the best results. It is a natural chemical and preservative-free oil, which contains no artificial color or fragrance. Due to the antioxidant-rich ingredients, it helps in delaying the signs of aging. It is also rich in vitamin E, iron, magnesium, and phosphorus.
