- Region
- Asia
- Origin
- Asia (West)
- Sanskrit
- Badama
- Traditions
- Ayurveda, Unani medicine, Folk magic and herbal magic
Asia · Food · № 223
Prunus dulcis
Food · Asia
Almond
Prunus dulcis
Traditionally attributed effects: sweet almond soothing, stimulating, nourishing, strengthens the nerves; bitter almond soothing, laxative, calming in cough.
Safety notes
Traditional use is no proof of effectiveness; if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult a doctor or pharmacist. Avoid bitter almond essential oil (sweet almond oil is fine): this essential oil is one of those best left out of homemade remedies entirely.
Cautions by tradition (1)
- Natural skin and hair care: Use sweet almond oil; bitter almond essential oil is one of the oils best avoided. Not with a nut allergy.
Preparation
Preserve 7–14 ml; seeds 7–10 pieces; sweet almond oil as a mild laxative; paste of bitter almond with vinegar externally; almonds in honey in the morning.
Use in traditions
Described in the Ayurvedic materia medica, natural skin and hair care and home, kitchen and folk custom. Sanskrit name: Badama. In herbal magic associated with abundance, wisdom, connection with the spirit, insight in difficult decisions (under the pillow). In Unani medicine (badam) and Ayurveda almonds are considered food for the brain and strength; in India people eat soaked, peeled almonds in the morning. Sweet almond oil is used for baby massage and dry skin. Bitter almonds contain amygdalin and are poisonous.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Ayurvedic materia medica
Attributed effects
Sweet almond soothing, stimulating, nourishing, strengthens the nerves; bitter almond soothing, laxative, calming in cough; for constipation, mental fatigue, nerve pain, liver and spleen congestion, head lice, skin rash, cough, frequent urination from kidney complaints.
Preparation and amount
Preserve 7–14 ml; seeds 7–10 pieces; sweet almond oil as a mild laxative; paste of bitter almond with vinegar externally; almonds in honey in the morning.
Natural skin and hair care
Attributed effects
Sweet almond oil is a mild, nourishing oil that keeps the skin supple and rarely irritates; ground almond scrubs gently.
Preparation and amount
External: sweet almond oil as a base oil in lip care, massage oil and bath oil; finely ground almonds in scrubs (see the recipes).
Caution: Use sweet almond oil; bitter almond essential oil is one of the oils best avoided. Not with a nut allergy.
Folklore and herbal magic
Symbolic meanings from folk use and modern herbal magic. These are handed-down associations, not effects.
Abundance, wisdom, connection with the spirit, insight in difficult decisions (under the pillow), prosperity, healing, love, money.
Herbal magic and rituals
Attributed effects
In herbal magic associated with wisdom, prosperity and new beginnings.
Preparation and amount
The almond blossoms at the end of winter and so became a symbol of new life. In the Bible Aaron's staff blossoms with almond flowers, and in southern Europe sugared almonds are handed out at weddings and christenings for luck and fertility.
Home, kitchen and folk use
Preparation and amount
Finely ground in bath salts; apple-almond curry soup.