The evergreen avocado tree can grow to a height of up to 20 m and is common in North and South America as well as from the Indian-Malaysian subcontinent to Japan. The leaves of the tree are green all year round, up to 45 cm long, and change color over time from light green to a shiny dark green. The avocado tree usually only forms flowers after 10 or more years, but some varieties form flowers and fruits after 2 years. The panicle-like inflorescence consists of small yellowish to greenish flowers. The fruit is an oval-shaped berry with an easily peelable, dark green to brown skin. The color of the soft flesh ranges from white to green. The core of the fruit is roundish and can account for up to a quarter of the weight of the fruit.
The yellowish-green to green avocado oil is mainly obtained by cold pressing the flesh of very ripe fruits. It can also be obtained from the flesh ground into mush by centrifugation (separation) under heat or without heat or it is flushed up with a neutral material such as diatomaceous earth and then drawn off with petroleum ether.
Avocado oil is very suitable as an ointment base for creams and emulsions. Due to the high content of phytosterols, it has good spreading behavior and is quickly and well absorbed by the skin (also by the horny layer of the skin). Due to the high content of palmitoleic acid, avocado oil has regenerative properties and is well tolerated. Chapped and dry skin benefits especially from the refattening effect on the skin. The oil is therefore frequently used in nurturing formulas for oil-deficient and dehydrated skin as well as for treating brittle hair. Avocado oil also has a natural sun protection factor.
Avocado oil is a good source of vitamins with an extra portion of vitamin A, D and E. It consists of many unsaturated fatty acids that have a cholesterol-lowering effect and is therefore used in treatments for high cholesterol. Further it has also a positive effect on heart and vessels due to its high content of Omega – 3 – fatty acids. These are important to protect the arteries and normalize the heart rhythm. The linoleic acid additionally ensures that the heart and the entire circulatory system is strengthened and is assumed to lower blood pressure. Avocado oil is also said to help prevent diabetes and overweight.
It is best to use native, cold-pressed avocado oils, since this way they retain most of their positive ingredients. Regardless of the intended use, you should also make sure that the avocado oil is of organic quality to ensure that it does not contain any pesticide residues. These oil are regularly tested for purity and the risk of unpleasant components is very low.
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