Avocado oil is one of the richest, most highly nourishing skin and hair conditioning oils available.   Wonderful for any skin that is dry or damaged.  A great oil to use for any dry, rough patches of skin, particularly troublesome areas like cracked heels or rough elbows.  Avocado might be an excellent oil to add to your carrier for Pretty Summer Feet.

Name (Latin Name) Avocado Carrier Oil  Persea Americana 

Family Lauraceae

Description:  Avocado is a large tree growing up to 20 meters high.  The fruit is 5 – 20 cm long and fleshy.  The fruit pulp contains between 4 – 40% fatty oil. The avocado tree originates from the tropical and sub-tropical areas of the Americas.  Discovered by the Spaniards in the 15th century and introduced into Europe.  Today it flourishes in many countries.

History Folklore: In traditional medicine pulp has been used as a hair pomade to stimulate hair growth, to hasten suppuration of wounds, and as an aphrodisiac and emmenagogue.  Commercial preparations are prepared from the Fruit and pulp oil.

Carrier Oil

Extraction: The oil is obtained from the flesh of the fruit of the avocado tree and not its seed.  Mechanical cold pressing and centrifuge extraction of the pulp is used to extract the oil.  The unfiltered oil is thick and dark green in colour.  This can go brown on exposure to sunlight.  The refined or filtered oil has a finer texture and is a greenish-yellow colour with a less pungent scent.

Shelf Life: 12 months

Cautions: Avoid contact with eyes.

Actions: It has anti-aging, anti-dandruff, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, antiseptic, wound-healing, emollient and nourishing properties. It has a natural SPF of 8.

Uses: Can be used for all skin types but particularly good for mature, dry, climate damaged and undernourished skin.  It can be helpful for general skin inflammations (eczema and psoriasis) and has moisturizing, softening and anti-wrinkle properties. It can also be helpful for stretch marks and for use in hair care.

References
Bartram’s Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, Thomas Bartram, 1995,1998
Stacey Dugliss-Wesselman, The Home Apothecary, 2013
Jan Kusmirek, Liquid Sunshine, Vegetable Oils for Aromatherapy, 2002
Julia Lawless, The Complete Aromatherapy & Essential Oils Sourcebook, 2017
Leung and Foster, Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics, 1996
Susan M Parker, Power of the Seed, Your guide to oils for health & beauty, 2014
Len Price, Carrier Oils for Aromatherapy and Massage, 1999
Danielle Sage, the Aromatherapy Beauty Guide, 2017