The Palm oil is a vegetable oil obtained from the fruit of the palm. Despite its bad reputation due to its refined oil, this oil is the second oil that has the highest production worldwide, just behind soybean oil.
The bad reputation that haunts this oil in recent years does not do it justice, if it were so bad it would not be one of the most produced and consumed worldwide. The problem with this African oil comes when it is refined to make certain products.
In short, this oil has great properties and health benefits, but you must always use its pure and 100% natural version.
What is the palm?
The oil palm, known by the scientific name « Elaeis guineensis «, is a tree of the family of Arecaceae. There are 3 subspecies of this plant; the African that is known as oil palm, the American, which is known as noli, and the red corozo that is also American.
The one that interests us most is the African one, which is what palm oil is made with. It is originally from Guinea, from there it was distributed to other continents such as Asia and America until it became one of the plants with the highest production worldwide.
The palm fruit is between brown and reddish, like its 100% pure and natural oil. When it is refined it changes its appearance completely.
Benefits and Properties of Palm Oil
The bad reputation of this oil is intake, it is not as bad as we want to paint. Heating more than 200 ° can indeed oxidize and release harmful components, but this is not the use that will be given. Natural palm oil has great benefits and health properties, among which we can highlight the following:
- Regenerates the skin.
- Protect from the sun.
- Antirust.
- Vitamin E and K richness.
- Hydrating.
- Good base oil for essential oils.
Is palm oil Cancerous? Is it carcinogenic?
No, palm oil is not bad, as long as we talk about its pure and natural version. This oil is reddish and can become solid at room temperature due to its richness in saturated fats. The same goes for coconut oil.
We must not forget that it is a fat, so it is high in calories and this product cannot be abused, especially in weight-loss diets, if we add its richness in saturated fatty acids, we must limit its consumption even more.
As for cancer, it has been shown that the use and consumption of this fat do not cause cancer. The problem comes when it is refined by exceeding 200º of temperature, the fat becomes unstable, you lose properties and free radicals, and these can cause cellular oxidation in the body, and consequently cause cancer and other diseases. For this reason, industrial products such as biscuits or pastries are in the spotlight, using a large part of the refined palm fat.
Applications and uses of Palm Oil what are they for?
This oil has many applications and uses, it is used in cooking, fuel manufacturing, food industry, manufacturing of cosmetic and cleaning products, and for a good number of body treatments.
Preparation of soaps and creams, often with certain essential oils.
Sunscreen: its richness in carotenes makes it a good sunscreen.
Manufacture of biodiesel fuel.
Lipstick production: its texture and hydration power makes it an ideal product for this purpose.
Toothpaste.
Cooking fat, being a good substitute for hydrogenated fats such as margarine.
Palm oil for hair
This oil is used to treat hair, helping to improve the appearance of hair. It is indicated for:
- Dandruff problems
- Dry hair.
- Split ends.
- Give shine and naturalness.
It warms a little so that it goes into a liquid state and is applied with a gentle massage on the hair, it must be left on for 20 minutes and then rinse with plenty of water.
It can be used in combination with essential oils for best results, apply 3 drops and the most recommended hair oils would be the essential oil of rosemary and eucalyptus essential oil.
Palm oil for the skin
This fat has several uses to treat the skin:
Acne and pimples: we mix 1 tablespoon of palm, with 1 of olive oil and 3 drops of essential oil of lime. We apply with a gentle massage on the face, leave on for 10 minutes and rinse with warm water.
Hydrates and gives skin elasticity. It can be applied mixed with almond oil and rosemary essential oil.
Cracked heels: apply palm oil with 3 drops of calendula essential oil.
Improves the appearance of stretch marks.
Palm oil for lips
Do you have dry and chapped lips? Do you get small wounds? Apply this home remedy with palm fat and solve your problem:
We need natural palm fat and cinnamon essential oil, in addition to virgin olive oil.
Mix: 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 palm oil and 4 drops cinnamon essential oil
How to use: all mixed we store in a small boat, spread your finger in the mixture and apply directly on the lips as if it were cocoa.
