Amaranth oil, has many useful properties, it is used in cooking for the preparation of various salads, main dishes and pastries. And due to the high content of vitamins and a special substance - squalene, amaranth oil is widely used in cosmetology and medicine.
Material Content:
Amaranth oil: chemical composition
Amaranth oil is obtained from the seeds of the Amaranth plant. Due to its high content of vitamins and minerals, oil is a valuable product. In addition, 100 g of oil contains 736 kcal, which is less than other varieties.
It consists of:
- B vitamins;
- omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6, omega-9;
- retinol;
- beta carotene;
- vitamin C;
- Vitamin D
- tocopherol;
- macro- and microelements: calcium, sodium, zinc, potassium, selenium, copper, iron, manganese;
- phospholipids.
- amino acids: lysine, arginine, lecithin and others.
However, the most valuable beneficial substances that distinguish amaranth oil from other types of vegetable fats are squalene and an easily digestible form of vitamin E. Squalene is a substance synthesized by shark liver, which is also found in certain types of vegetable oils. Squalene has an antitumor, immunostimulating property, lowers cholesterol, and is an antioxidant. Vitamin E (tocopherol) - has an antioxidant effect, slows down the aging process of cells, improving their nutrition, in addition, helps to reduce blood sugar.
Amaranth oil is obtained in several ways:
- Extraction.For production, any unrefined vegetable oil is used, most often corn or sunflower is used. During extraction, part of the minerals and nutrients of amaranth seeds go into an oil base, but the beneficial properties of amaranth are reduced. The oil obtained in this way is suitable both for oral use and cosmetic procedures.
- Hoods with CO₂. The composition obtained in this way is not suitable for use in food, but is used only in cosmetology.
- Cold pressed. The oil obtained in this way is most valuable and retains all the beneficial properties of this plant.
Useful properties of amaranth oil
The benefits of amaranth oil for the body are the prevention and control of many pathological conditions.
Due to the presence of squalene, vitamins and minerals, the oil of this plant has a number of useful properties:
- has an antioxidant effect;
- boosts immunity;
- normalizes metabolism;
- It has a wound healing and antitumor effect;
- contributes to a better supply and saturation of cells with oxygen;
- possesses tonic, firming and regenerating properties;
- improves metabolism.
The use of the substance allows to solve a number of problems:
- On the part of the cardiovascular system, amaranth oil helps strengthen the walls of blood vessels, increase their permeability, dilutes blood, which leads to a decrease in cholesterol plaques and helps to reduce the risk of thrombosis. The use of the substance is effective in the fight against hypertension, varicose veins, atherosclerosis and other pathologies.
- From the gastrointestinal tract, amaranth oil promotes the healing of the mucous membrane of the esophagus and the walls of the stomach, and is used in the treatment of colitis, gastritis, gastrointestinal ulcer and other pathologies.
- In gynecology, plant oil is used in the fight against diseases such as erosion, vaginitis, colpitis and others.
- In dentistry, the composition is widely used in the treatment of various diseases of the oral cavity, in addition, it is used for gargling with various colds.
- In dermatology, oil is used for compresses. It is used to alleviate the condition of psoriasis, burns, ulcers and wounds, as well as in the fight against acne.
It is difficult to overestimate the beneficial properties of this product; oil helps in the treatment and prophylaxis of many diseases; therefore, it is widely used in folk medicine and cosmetology.
Use in medicine
Amaranth oil is one of the most common components of various recipes of traditional medicine, which has real effectiveness. The regular use of this product inside helps prevent a number of diseases, including reducing the risk of cancer. In preventive doses, oil should be taken twice a day for 1-2 tsp. on an empty stomach. Do not exceed the daily dose of the substance, which is on average 10 ml. In addition, the oil is also used for external use in the treatment of wounds, burns and other skin lesions. For this, oil is applied to the affected areas 2 times a day and left to act for 10 minutes, after which the residues are removed with a swab or napkin.
Application in cosmetology
Amaranth oil in cosmetology is used both in pure form and as a component of various cosmetics. In addition, it can be used at home, in the preparation of various masks for hair and face.
For face
The use of amaranth oil for the face promotes skin rejuvenation and nutrition due to the high content of vitamins E, B, C.It is mainly used as a component of various masks. For example, to prepare a rejuvenating nourishing mask, you will need chicken yolk, honey and oil for 1 tsp. If there is irritation on the skin, you can prepare a soothing mask based on banana, fresh cucumber and oil. In addition, amaranth oil can be used as an independent tool, it should be applied along the massage lines evenly to the cleansed face and neck with a cotton swab or spread with your fingers.
For hair
As a cosmetic product, the oil can cope with such problems of the scalp and hair as: dryness and peeling, hair loss, brittleness, dullness and damage to the hair structure due to perm. To do this, add a few drops of oil directly to a detergent, such as shampoo or hair conditioner.
In addition, you can use the oil in its pure form, for this, the heated oil should be distributed over the entire scalp and hair length, wrapped in a towel and left to work for 15-30 minutes. After the procedure, rinse with water using shampoo.
Before applying the oil, a test for sensitivity to this component should be performed, for this, the composition is applied to the elbow bend for 10 minutes. In the presence of unpleasant symptoms, the substance is contraindicated.
Also, oil is used as one of the components of home masks, for example to strengthen hair, you can mix 2 tbsp. l butter and honey, as well as flesh of avocado. And to give shine, you can prepare a mixture of yolk, 2 tbsp. l amaranth oil, ½ tbsp. lemon juice and 0.5 liters of beer. The composition should moisten the hair and hold a little for exposure, then rinse with shampoo and water.
For body
As a cosmetic product for the body, oil is mainly used in its pure form. This application contributes to a smooth and beautiful tan, while preventing the formation of burns. After sunbathing, the oil reduces redness and eliminates irritation.
In addition, this substance is highly effective in the fight against cellulite. It is used as a massage tool and is used for body wraps.
Lubricating the roughened skin on the elbows and feet, the oil softens and nourishes the damaged areas, significantly reducing dryness.
Amaranth oil in cooking
The use of oil in cooking is quite wide, it is used both for cooking and added to various sauces and dressings. Undoubtedly, the thermal treatment of the oil leads to the destruction of many vitamins contained in it, so it is preferable to use it as a dressing for salads, or as an additive in pure form to cereals. Amaranth oil obtained by direct or cold pressing has a dark shade and a mild nutty flavor. If the oil has a light shade, then most likely it was obtained by the extraction method, and accordingly has no taste and smell of a natural product. It is necessary to carefully study the composition and method of production of the product, since the oil obtained by the method of extraction using CO₂ is not suitable for oral administration.
Contraindications
Before using amaranth oil as a therapeutic agent, it is necessary to consult with your doctor, especially if there are serious chronic diseases. With various pathologies, including oncology, it is not worth using oil as the only medicine.
When using oil as a cosmetic product, a test should be carried out for possible allergic reactions, for this the mixture is applied to the elbow bend for 10-15 minutes.In the presence of itching, burning and other unpleasant symptoms, oil should not be used.
Thus, amaranth oil is an excellent and affordable source of vitamins of macro- and microelements. With it, you can not only improve the body from the inside, but also give youth and beauty to the skin and hair.