Organic Virgin Avocado

This month we are focusing on Organic Unrefined Virgin Avocado Oil, presenting information you may not have known regarding its use in massage/bodywork. We will also share with you the essential oils that are of the same family as Avocado. When a carrier oil and essential are from the same family, the healing nature of both oils vastly increase as each contains the inherent qualities the same plant family.

ANATOMY of VIRGIN CARRIER OIL

Our skin is the largest of our organs. It not only breathes and excretes waste; it also absorbs light and nutrients. Yes, skin is water resistant, however, most important is that skin is oil loving. Whatever we use on our skin is absorbed and ingested through our pores and directly into the blood stream. 25-60% of an oil applied to the skin is absorbed, especially when friction, heat and or steam are applied as in massage and deep tissue work. So, for the massage therapist who uses large amounts of oil each month, perhaps the quality of that oil should be the very best food grade quality for the sake of our health and our clients.

One of the key chemical elements in all carrier oil is the abundant presence of oleic acid, a natural component present in all oils. It is this acid that allows an oil to be absorbed. For example, hormone and nicotine patches are plied with concentrated oleic acid. This causes the skin to more readily absorb the drug. Labeling someday will naturally include the amount of oleic acid in all oils we use for food and for bodywork.

Using the purest organic oils that are virgin or unrefined can clearly make a difference in the quality of our health and our clients. It is just as important to feed the skin healthy organic food as it is to feed our stomachs healthy food.

Seed and nut oils when freshly pressed (unrefined and no preservatives) are living, healthy, rich sources of nourishment for our body, mind and spirit, feeding important nutrients to our skin, vital organs, nervous system and brain. This is not so when an oil has been processed or partially processed. So, how can we tell if an oil is truly pure? Part of the telling is in its rich color and unique fragrance.

Color and fragrance are the chemical signatures of an oil. If there is no smell, the oil has been processed, refined or partially refined.

Did you know that all carrier oils naturally contain essential oils, essential fatty acids, phenols, terpenes and many other chemicals for healing our body and minds? It seems for the last 25 years that essential oil usage is the only major focus rather than the condition of the carrier oil that contains it! The carrier oil, which is 95% of the oil application, should be the most important aspect when combining carrier and essentials as the carrier is the matrix.

Partially refined oil means that the oil has been, at the least, deodorized, a process of heating and evaporating away the essentials, phytols and color aspects of an oil. This requires a half hour process in a heated chamber at 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Chamber trays, like tilted cookie trays, pour from one to another and so on, to expose as much of the oil as possible to the heat/evaporation method. Manufactures do this to an oil to render it neutral and extend its self-life. This partial processing is even done to many organic oils. Manufacturers used this process to eliminate odors and colors that may conflict with the manufacturers needs. (cosmetics, beauty aids, cereals, breads, massage oils) The danger of deodorization is that it takes place at 430-500 degrees Fahrenheit.

What actually happens to oil at 430 degrees? There are two major problems with processed or refined oil. First, there are the acryl imides! This dangerous chemical naturally begins to form when oil is heated above 350 degrees. Simply, this means that the oil is turning into plastic or acrylic! (FDA Paper issued May 2004) Second, the manufacturer doesn’t need to add trans-fatty acids into the oils they manufacture, because heating the oils above 350 degrees Fahrenheit automatically begins the process! The heat actually irons or flattens the molecular chain turning healthy cis-fatty acid into toxic trans-fatty acid, damaging the DNA.

Olive oil is more tolerant of middle range heat (350 degrees) but also succumbs to higher heat alterations. It seems that oils having at least some saturated fat, like olive oil, can tolerate heat better as the saturated fat content buffers and offers some protection. The less saturated fat in an oil, the higher the damage when heat is applied. Polyunsaturated oils cannot tolerate any heat over 115 degrees without degradation. Some of these heat-intolerant oils are grape-seed, hazelnut, sunflower, safflower and canola.

UNIQUE HEALING CHEMICALS IN CARRIER OILS: The Gift of Naturally Unrefined Oils

All carrier oils are made up of combinations of natural chemicals that have a specific healing purpose and nutrient value. Knowing which oils have which chemicals can help you figure out which oil would be indicated for your clientele, and or more importantly, what oils have a contra-indication! For example, Avocado contains elastin, a chemical that aids cardiac muscle. Grape-seed oil (polyunsaturated) thins the blood and is good for reducing cholesterol. However, grape-seed oil would be dangerous for a hemophiliac, as thinning the blood could cause bleeding. Hemp oil contains phenols and terpenes, natural pain relievers reducing swelling and soothing overworked muscles.

THE CHEMICALS IN YOUR OIL

Two of the most common parts of an oil are the Oleic acid and Linoleic acid content. Oleic acid is the absorptive quality of an oil. Linoleic acid is the kind of vitamin E. There are dozens of chemicals that make up the base of every oil. These ingredients let us know what kind of nutritional support or pain relief an oil will offer.

Here is a list of the inherent healing chemicals present in a healthy, unrefined, organic, first pressing oil and a description of it’s true color and fragrance. Prominent chemicals and percentages of that chemical are listed below. (Next month we feature Organic Unrefined Virgin Sunflower Oil)

AVOCADO SEED OIL

This oil has a pure deep rich green color and smells exactly like the raw fruit. Avocado uniquely contains a chemical called elastin which supports the cardiac muscle function of the heart.

Just as Olive oil is pressed from the olive fruit and its seed, so is Avocado pressed with its fruit and seed to gain the purest and best from the avocado’s nutrient base. All of these amazing nutrient chemicals listed below are just part of the intense healing energy contained within unrefined virgin Avocado oil. You may never look at Avocado oil the same way! Each chemical is followed by the word fruit which indicates fruit and seed.
Key essential fatty acids are highlighted in red.

Essential oils from the same Lauraceae family are: cinnamon, cassia, bay laurel, laurel seed oil. Using these essentials in a base of Avocado will prevent the powerful essentials of cinnamon, laurel and cassia from burning or stinging the skin. Avocado will rather buffer and augment the essentials giving them a fuller healing expression.

Chemicals and Actions of Virgin/Unrefined Avocado Oil: (ppm=parts per million)
Persea americana from the Lauraceae family

ALANINE Fruit 960 - 4,625 ppm/ Anti-oxidant; Cancer-Preventive
ALPHA-CAROTENE Fruit Anti-cancer; Anti-cancer (Liver); Anti-cancer (Lung); Anti-cancer (Skin);
ALPHA-TOCOPHEROL Fruit 13-49 ppm (part of vitamin E complex)/ Anti-cancer; Anti-oxidant; Anti-tumor; Cancer-Preventive
ARGININE Fruit 470 - 2,293 ppm/ Anti-diabetic; Anti-encephalopathic; Anti-hepatitic; Anti-hypertensive; Anti-oxidant; Aphrodisiac; Diuretic; Pituitary-Stimulant; Vasodilator
ASCORBIC-ACID Fruit 65 - 994 ppm (vitamin C)

BETA-CAROTENE Fruit 0.3 - 27 ppm (Vitamin A)/Antic-ancer; Anti-carcinomic; Anti-coronary; Anti-lupus; Anti-oxidant; Anti-photophobic; Anti-psoriac; Anti-stress; Anti-tumor; Antitumor (Breast); Anti-tumor (CNS); Anti-tumor (Colon); Anti-tumor (Lung); Anti-tumor (Stomach); Anti-ulcer; Cancer -Preventive; Immuno-stimulant
BIOTIN Fruit 0.1 - 0.4 ppm/ Anti-dermatitic; Anti-neuralgic
BORON Fruit 5 - 13 ppm/ Androgenic; Anti-osteoarthritic; Anti-osteoporotic; Estrogenic

CALCIUM Fruit 60 - 964 ppm
CHLOROGENIC-ACID Fruit/ Analgesic; Anti-bacterial; Anti-cancer (Colon); Anti-cancer (Forestomach); Anti-cancer (Liver); Anti-cancer (Skin); Anti-diabetic; Anti-septic; Anti-thyroid; Anti-tumor; Anti-tumor (Colon); Anti-tumor (Fore-stomach); Anti-tumor (Liver); Anti-tumor (Skin); Anti-tumor-Promoter; Anti-ulcer; Anti-viral; Cancer-Preventive; Cardio-protective; Chemo-preventive; CNS-Stimulant; Diuretic; Fungicide; Hepato-protective; Histamine-Inhibitor; Immuno-stimulant; Sunscreen
COPPER Fruit 2 - 11 ppm:/ Anti-arthritic; Anti-diabetic; Anti-inflammatory; Contraceptive

DOPAMINE Fruit/ Anti-neurogenic; Anti-parkinsonian; Cardiotonic; Diuretic; Neuro-transmitter; Vaso-constrictor; Vaso-dilator
ELASTIN Fruit
FOLACIN Fruit 0.3 - 2.8 ppm/ Anti-anemic; Anti-depressant; Anti-neuropathic; Anti-periodontitic; Anti-plaque; Anti-psychotic

GLUTAMIC-ACID Fruit 1,660 - 8,045 pp/: Anti-epileptic
GLYCEROL Fruit/ Anti-cataract; Anti-Meniere's; Anti-neuralgic
GLYCINE Fruit 660 - 3,226 ppm: Anti-acid; Anti-encephalopathic; Anti-gastritic; Anti-ulcer; Cancer-Preventive; Neuro-inhibitor

HISTIDINE Fruit 230 - 1,127 ppm/ Anti-oxidant; Anti-ulcer
IRON Fruit 6 -71 ppm/ Anti-anemic
ISOLEUCINE Fruit 570-2,759 ppm-.27%/ Anti-encephalopathic

LECITHIN Fruit: (emulsifies)/Anti-alzheimeran; Anti-dementia; Anti-eczemic; Anti-manic; Anti-oxidant; Anti-psoriac
LEUCINE Fruit 990 - 4,780 ppm/ Anti-encephalopathic; Essential
LINOLEIC-ACID Fruit 24,340 - 505,440 ppm-50%/ (Vitamin E) Anti-acne; Anti-arteriosclerotic; Anti-arthritic; Anti-coronary; Anti-eczemic; Anti-fibrinolytic; Antihistaminic; Antiinflammatory Anti-MS; Cancer-Preventive ; Hepato-protective; Immuno-modulator
LINOLENIC-ACID Fruit 245 - 28,510 ppm 2.8%/ (vitamin E)
LUTEIN Fruit 3.2 - 16 ppm/ Anti-cancer (Breast); Anti-oxidant; Anti-tumor (Breast); Anti-tumor (Colon); Retino-protectant
LYSINE Fruit 750 - 3,653 ppm/ Anti-herpetic

MAGNESIUM Fruit 370 - 1,740 ppm/; Anti-anxiety; Anti-arthritic; Anti-asthmatic; Anti-atherosclerotic; Anti-convulsant; Anti-coronary; Anti-depressant; Anti-diabetic; Anti-epileptic; Anti-inflammatory; Anti-insomniac; Anti-migraine; Anti-neurotic; Anti-osteoporotic; Anti-PMS; Anti-spasmophilic; Diuretic; Hypo-tensive; Myorelaxant; Utero-relaxant; Vasodilator
MANGANESE Fruit 2 - 10 ppm/ Anti-anemic; Anti-diabetic; Anti-epileptic; Hypoglycemic
MTHIONINE Fruit 290 - 1,438 ppm/ Anti-cataract; Anti-oxidant; Anti-parkinsonian; Cancer-Preventive; Hepato-protective
MONO UNSATURATED FATTY ACID Fruit 96,080-373,400 ppm-37%
Anti-inflammatory; Cancer-Preventive

NIACIN Fruit 14-101 ppm/ Anti-anginal; Anti-convulsant; Anti-dermatitic; Anti-epileptic; Anti-histaminic ; Anti-insomnic; Anti-Meniere's; Anti-neuralgic; Anti-parkinsonian; Anti-spasmodic; Anti-vertigo; Cancer-Preventive; Hepato-protective; Hypoglycemic; Sedative; Vasodilatorgn
NONACOSANE Fruit/ Antiviral

OLEIC-ACID Fruit 27,450-691,200-ppm-69% (absorbability)/Anti-inflammatory; Cancer-Preventive

P-COUMARIC-ACID Fruit/Anti-bacterial; Anti-hepatotoxic; Anti-leukemic; Anti-oxidant; Anti-septic; Anti-spasmodic; Anti-tumor; Cancer-Preventive; Chemo-preventive; Fungicide;
PALMITIC-ACID Fruit 4,270-266,000 ppm-26% (thins the blood)/ Anti-fibrinolytic ; Antioxidant
PALMITOLEIC-ACID Fruit 6,430-25,000 ppm-2.5% (mimics sebum)
PANTOTHENIC-ACID Fruit 8 - 37.7 ppm/Anti-allergic; Anti-arthritic ; Anti-dermatitic; Anti-fatigue; Anti-insomniac; Anti-rheumatitic; Cancer-Preventive
PHENYLALANINE Fruit 540 - 2,643 ppm/ Anti-depressant; Anti-parkinsonian;
PHOSPHORUS Cr 260-3,030 ppm/Immuno-stimulant
PHYTOSTEROLS Fruit: (pain relievers, anti-bacterials and anti-septics)
POTASSIUM Fruit 2,780 - 27,470 ppm
Anti-depressant; Anti-fatigue; Anti-hypertensive; Beta-Blocker; Diuretic; Vasodilator
PROLINE Fruit 62-2,993 ppm
POLY UNSATURATED FATTY ACID Fruit 19,550-76,000 ppm-7.6%/ (omega acid component)
Anti-acne; Anti-eczemic; Anti-MS; Anti-polyneuritic
PYRIDOXINE Fruit 6-23 ppm
Analgesic; Anti-acne; Anti-anemic; Anti-asthmatic; Anti-atherosclerotic; Anti-autistic; Anti-carpal-Tunnel; Anti-depressant; Anti-dermatitic; Anti-diabetic; Anti-epileptic; Anti-parkinsonian; Anti-PMS; Anti-radiation; Anti-schizophrenic; Anti-TMJ; Anti-ulcer; Anti-vertigo

RIBOFLAVIN Fruit 1 - 7.7 ppm/Anti-cataract; Anti-migraine; Cancer-Preventive
SERINE Fruit 810-3,148 ppm/Cancer-Preventive
SEROTONIN Fruit/Analgesic; Anti-alzheimeran; Anti-convulsant Anti-depressant; Coagulant; Euphoriant; Myo-relaxant; Neuro-transmitter
SATURATED FATTY ACID Fruit 24,370 - 94,700 ppm/9.47%

THIAMIN Fruit 0.5 - 4.2 ppm/ Analgesic; Anti-alcoholic; Anti-alzheimeran; Antic-ardiospasmic; Anti-fatigue; Anti-gastritic; Anti-heartburn; Anti-herpetic; Anti-migraine; Anti-myocarditic
THREONINE Fruit 530 - 2,565 ppm/ Anti-oxidant; Antiulcer

TRYPTOPHAN Fruit 170 - 816 ppm/Analgesic; Anti-anxiety; Anti-depressant; Anti-hypertensive; Anti-insomniac; Anti-menopausal; Anti-migraine; Anti-oxidant
VIT-D Fruit: trace
ZINC Fruit 4 - 16 ppm

Knowing the chemical make-up of an unrefined virgin carrier oil, and how those chemicals can best be used in our work is important and vital information. The oils we use each day can help strengthen and heal our clients as well as ourselves. Knowing all we can know about the tool of our trade, our oils, can make us better practitioners, more conscious and able to choose carefully the healing mediums best suited for our clients needs.

Next month we will be featuring Organic, Unrefined, Virgin Pumpkin Seed Oil .

We wish you well,

Reign Dance

 

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