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Almond: Health Benefits, Uses, Dosage and Side Effects

By NS Desk | Herbs | Posted on :   15-Dec-2020

Almond is a very nutritious nut, and two types of almonds can be found: sweet almonds and bitter almonds. Almonds are extremely healthy and are good for health. The sweet almonds are preferred for consumption over the bitter almonds because the bitter almonds have prussic acid, which may be toxic and therefore used to make cosmetics and perfumes. Since almonds are nutritious, they are known as the "king of nuts" as they have many health benefits. For example, almonds are useful for improving brain capacity as it contains a brain-enhancing property. Moreover, almonds also have an antioxidant and lipid-lowering property that helps enhance the adequate cholesterol levels, and therefore it is good to include almonds in a regular diet. Almonds can also be compressed into oil that is used for healthy skin and hair.

Properties of Almonds:

Almonds have so many beneficial properties that may help in the treatment of various health problems. Some of these properties of Almonds are as follows:

  • Antioxidant property
  • Lipid-lowering property
  • Brain enhancing property
  • Snigdha property
  • Ropan property
  • Ushna property
  • Vata balancing property
  • Rechana property

So these are some of the properties of almonds. All these properties are beneficial for the overall health of a person.

Historical Uses of Almonds: 

Almonds deliver a number of nutrients like fiber, protein, fats, vitamin E, and magnesium. These nutrients promote the overall health of an individual. For years, almonds are used for the treatment of various health problems like:

  • High blood pressure 
  • High cholesterol levels
  • Weight management 
  • Skin and hair problems 
  • Constipation 

People for years have believed the healing properties of almond oil, and the oil is used for treating skin problems like dark circles, pigmentation, dark spots, and dry skin. The oil is also useful for improving hair texture. Consuming almonds regularly can help improve your skin, hair, and the digestive system.

 

Benefits of Almonds in Ayurvedic Treatment:

Almonds are a nutritious nut and are highly valued for ayurvedic treatments. Almonds have so many health benefits and have useful healing properties. Check out all the benefits of almonds in ayurvedic medicines.

Helps in healing of skin problems like chapped and irritated skin

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Ayurveda

According to scientific studies, there is not enough evidence to support whether almonds helps in the treatment of chapped skin.

According to ayurvedic studies, almonds have Snigdha and ropan properties, which help in balancing the Vatadosha in the body. The imbalance of Vatadosha can lead to dry and chapped skin. Therefore almond oil is used for the treatment of chapped and dry skin; it helps to provide moisture and makes the skin healthy and glowing.

 

Ayurvedic tip for using almond oil for skin problems

If you are suffering from skin problems like dry skin, dark circles, pigmentation, or dark spots, then you could follow this procedure:

  1. You could take about two to three drops of almond oil in the palm of your hands and rub together.
  2. Then massage the oil on your dry skin with circular motions. Keep massaging for a good 3-4 minutes. 
  3. You can repeat this process before going to sleep to get rid of all skin problems.

 

Helps lower bad cholesterol levels

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Ayurveda

           

  According to scientific studies, almonds contain saturated fats and Vitamin E, which reduces harmful cholesterol levels (LDL) and increases good cholesterol levels (HDL). Some other almonds contents that help reduce the cholesterol levels are phytosterols, fiber, and unsaturated fatty acids.

According to ayurvedic studies, almonds have ushna and Ama reducing property that helps in the proper digestion of food and removing toxic waste from the body, which causes the levels of harmful cholesterol levels to fall. Almonds help remove all blockages from the blood vessels by getting rid of toxins and the build-up of dangerous cholesterol levels.

 

Ayurvedic tip for using almonds for high cholesterol level

If you have high cholesterol levels, you could consume almonds to bring down the harmful cholesterol levels and increase cholesterol levels. Follow these steps:

  1. You could take about four to five almonds and soak them in water.
  2. Let the almonds stay soaked in the water overnight.
  3. In the morning, you can peel off almonds' covering and consume them on an empty stomach.

 

Helps in the treatment of constipation

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Ayurveda

According to scientific studies, there is not enough evidence to support whether almonds can help in the treatment of constipation.

According to ayurvedic studies, almonds have Vata balancing and Rechana properties that can help in the treatment of constipation, which is the result of aggravated Vatadosha in the body. Almonds also have the ushna property that helps loosen the body waste.

 

Ayurvedic Tip for Treating Constipation Using Almond Oil

If you are suffering from constipation, then you can consume almond oil by following these steps:

  1. You could take about half or one tablespoon of almond oil in a glass.
  2. Add warm milk in the glass and mix well.
  3. Consume this at night before sleeping.  
  4. Repeat the procedure until you see results in the treatment of constipation. 

 

Dosage of Almond recommended by doctors:

The quantity of Almond recommended by doctors is as follows:

  • Almond capsule - You could take one Almond capsule two times a day.
  • Almond oil - You could take half to one tablespoon of almond oil or about 5-6 drops one time in a day.  
  • Almond powder – You could use ¼ or ½ teaspoon of Almond powder, or you can also use as per your requirement for two times a day.

 

Usage of Almonds for ayurvedic treatment:

Almond can be consumed for ayurvedic treatment; check out how you can consume this nutritious nut for your ayurvedic treatment. 

Almonds Soaked in Water

You could consume almonds by soaking them in water. The consumption of soaked almonds helps in improving memory. You can follow these steps:

 

  1. You could take about four to five almonds and soak them in water.
  2. Let the almonds stay soaked in the water overnight.
  3. In the morning, you can peel off almonds' covering and consume them on an empty stomach.
  4. You can repeat this process regularly for improving and enhancing your memory.

 

Almond Powder, Milk, and Honey

You can consume almond powder along with milk for extra nutrition. You can follow these steps:

  1. You could take about ¼ to ½ tablespoon of almond powder in a glass.
  2. Add warm milk in the glass and add about 1-2 tablespoons of honey.
  3. You can consume this after having a meal once a day. 

 

Almond Oil Capsule with Milk

You can consume an almond oil capsule two times a day, preferably one almond capsule after lunch and one after dinner. You can consume it along with milk.

Almond Oil 

Almond oil has so many health benefits, and the oil is also useful for treating skin problems. Follow these steps for consuming and using almond oil. 

For Consumption

  1. You could take about 3-5 ml of almond oil in a glass.
  2. Add lukewarm milk in the glass and mix well.
  3. Consume this at night before going to sleep. 

For Dry and Chapped Skin Problems

  1. You could take about two to three drops of almond oil in the palm of your hands and rub together.
  2. Then massage the oil on your dry skin with circular motions. Keep massaging for a good 3-4 minutes. 
  3. You can repeat this process before going to sleep to get rid of all skin problems.

 

For Dark Circles 

  1. You could take about 2-3 drops of almond oil in the palm of your hands. 
  2. Then gently massage almond oil under your eyes for a good 3-5 minutes.
  3. Let it stay and wash off your face in the morning.
  4. It is recommended to use almond oil for dark circles once before sleeping. 

 

Almond Oil as Nasal Drops

You can use almond oil as nasal drops for treating nasal congestion. You could use about 2-3 drops of almond oil in each nostril two times in a day to treat the nasal congestion. 

 

Almond Paste and Milk 

You can use an almond paste with milk to treat skin problems like hyperpigmentation. You can follow these steps to make a pack with almond paste and milk.

  1. You could take about half or one tablespoon of almond paste in a bowl.
  2. Add a sufficient amount of milk in the bowl to make a thick paste.
  3. You can then apply this pack of face and neck. 
  4. Let the pack stay for 5-10 minutes before washing it off.
  5. After keeping the pack for 5-10 minutes, wash off the pack with cold water.
  6. You can repeat this process 3-4 times in a week to treat hyperpigmentation. 

.

Almond and honey face pack 

You can make almond and honey face pack for healthy and glowing skin. You can follow these steps to make the face pack.

  1. You could take about half or one tablespoon of almond powder in a bowl.
  2. Mix about 2-3 tablespoon of honey and mix well.
  3. You can then apply this pack on the face and neck for a good 5-10 minutes.
  4. After some time, wash off the face pack with cold water.
  5. You can repeat this process 3-4 times in a week to get healthy and glowing skin.

 

 Precautionary guide for consuming Almonds:

Certain precautions must be considered before the consumption of Almonds. Check out certain precautions that must be followed seriously:

  • For diabetic patients:

If you have diabetes, then you must know that almonds have properties that can lower blood glucose levels. Therefore, it is advised that you check your sugar levels now and then after consuming almonds along with any anti-diabetic medicines.

  • For kidney disease patients:

Suppose you have any kidney diseases or problems like kidney stones. In that case, you must avoid almonds' consumption as they have an ingredient called oxalate, which is not beneficial for kidney diseases. 

  • For allergic patients:

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Ayurveda

According to scientific studies, almond oil must not be used by patients who have an oily skin type, and it is advised to do patch testing before using almond oil in the skin to check allergic reactions.

According to ayurvedic studies, it is advised that if you have extremely sensitive skin, then you must use almond powder with milk and honey. This way, there will be no reaction of Almond on your sensitive skin.

 

FAQ about Almond:

What are some of the best Indian almond oil brands?

You can find the following almond oil brands in the market:

  • Dabur badam tail
  • Inatur
  • HealthVit 
  • Hamdard Rogan almond hair oil
  • Morpheme almond oil
  • Pantanjalibadam hair oil 
  • Aloe Veda Distil almond oil.

What is the procedure of making milk from almonds?

Almond milk can be very nutritious and healthy as it is rich in all the essential nutrients and minerals. You can follow these steps to prepare the almond milk:

  1. You could take about two-three handful of almonds in a bowl.
  2. Soak these almonds in water overnight and remove the outer covering of all the almonds. 
  3. Then the next step is grinding the almonds and making a paste. 
  4. Take the paste in a glass and add water till the consistency becomes like milk. You could then add sugar and honey for taste.
  5. You can then drink this almond milk, or you also have the option of refrigerating it for 1-2 days. 

Why are almonds soaked in water before consumption?

According to scientific studies, the almonds' outer covering is hard to digest, and therefore by soaking the almonds in water, it becomes easier to remove the almond skin. Eating the almonds without the outer covering leads to faster digestion. However, if you are eating the almonds without removing the covering, it can lead to aggravated pitta, causing hyperacidity. Therefore, it is recommended to soak the almonds overnight and remove the covering in the morning.

What is the recommended dosage of consuming almonds?

Almonds must be eaten according to the strength of your digestive system. If your digestive system is weak, it is recommended that you take about 4-5 almonds regularly. 

Is it possible to make almond oil at home?

It is very much possible to make almond oil at home. For making almond oil at home, you can follow these steps:

  1. The first step is grinding a handful of almonds in a grinder to get a paste-like consistency.
  2. After you get a thick paste-like consistency, you can then add one to two spoons of olive oil to the paste. However, this step is optional.
  3. The next step is storing the paste in an airtight container and leaving it untouched for about two weeks. You need to make sure that you are placing the container away from heat and at room temperature. 
  4. After two weeks, you are going to notice that the oil is separating from the paste and forms a layer above the paste. 
  5. You could then separate the oil from the paste and store it in a bottle.
  6. You can now start using the almond oil for hair and skin. 

What is the right procedure for using almond oil for the face?

You can use almond oil on the face for getting rid of skin problems like dry skin, dark circles, pigmentation, and dark spots. You can follow these steps for using almond oil on the face.

  1. You could take about 3-4 drops of almond oil on the palm pf your hands.
  2. Massage the almond oil on your face using circular motions. Massaging using circular motion will also help in blood circulation. 
  3. You can repeat this procedure daily to get rid of skin problems. 
  4. It is preferred to use almond oil on the face before sleeping. 

Can a diabetic person eat almonds?

A diabetic person can consume about 43 grams of almonds once a day. Excess consumption of almonds can lower the blood glucose levels of a diabetic patient. Therefore, a diabetic patient needs to take proper precautions. 

Can almonds help in weight loss?

Almonds can help in weight loss by curbing hunger and making you feel full for a longer time. This is because of the ingredients like fiber, protein, unsaturated fatty acids, Vitamin E, and A, which are beneficial for weight loss. Therefore, if you want to lose weight, you could consume soaked almonds without their coverings regularly. 

What are the benefits of almonds on the skin?

There are two views to this question. Check out the scientific view and ayurvedic view of consuming almonds for healthy skin.

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Ayurveda

According to scientific studies, almonds have antioxidant properties and are rich in vitamin E, which are beneficial for the skin when consumed daily. Almonds help protect the cells from damage and can prevent fast aging and helps promote healthy skin. Moreover, almonds also have alpha-tocopherol and polyphenols, which protect the skin from harmful UV rays.

According to ayurvedic studies, almonds have Snigdha property, which provides nourishment to the skin and prevents drying skin. Since almonds are also a rich source of Vata balancing and Kapha properties, it helps keep the skin healthy and glowing.

 

Ayurvedic tip of consuming almonds for healthy skin:

You could consume almonds regularly if you want healthy and glowing looking skin. You can follow these steps:

  1. You could take about 5-6 almonds in a bowl and add water.
  2. Let the almonds soak in the water overnight.
  3. The next day peel off the covering and consume them on an empty stomach.
  4. You can follow this process regularly for glowing and healthy skin. 

Can you reduce belly fat by consuming almonds?

There are two views to this question. Check out the scientific view and ayurvedic view of consuming almonds for losing belly fat.

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Ayurveda

According to scientific studies, almonds are rich in protein and fiber and can help curb hunger. Almonds can make you feel full and prevent overeating. Therefore, consuming almonds can help to manage the belly fat.

According to ayurvedic studies, almonds have the ushna property, which removes the toxic waste from the body and can help reduce the belly fat or the overall body weight. Almonds help remove the Ama from the body and therefore manages the body weight. Consuming almonds can give you a feeling of fullness and prevents overeating.

 

Ayurvedic tip for consuming almonds for losing belly fat

You can reduce your belly fat by consuming almonds in the following way:

  1. You could take about 5-6 almonds in a bowl and add water.
  2. Let the almonds soak in the water overnight.
  3. The next day peel off the covering and consume them on an empty stomach.
  4. You can follow this process regularly for managing your weight and reducing your belly fat. 

Can you grow hair by consuming almonds regularly?

There are two views to this question. Check out the scientific view and ayurvedic view of consuming almonds for hair growth.

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Ayurveda

According to scientific studies, almonds are rich in essential nutrients that are beneficial for hair growth like magnesium and vitamin E, which also protect the hair from damage. Regular consumption of almonds can help you to grow hair and protect them from sun damage.

According to ayurvedic studies, almonds have Vata balancing property, which helps control hair fall as the reason for hair fall is the aggravated Vatadosha. However, consuming almonds regularly can help prevent hair fall and promote hair growth.

Ayurvedic tip for consuming almonds for hair growth

You can consume almonds for promoting hair growth. You can follow this procedure for growing your hair:

  1. You could take about half of one tablespoon of almond oil in a glass. 
  2. Add warm milk in the glass and mix well.
  3. Consume this in the morning after having your breakfast.
  4. Repeat this regularly for healthy hair. 

 

Can almonds help in fast digestion?

There are two views to this question. Check out the scientific view and ayurvedic view of consuming almonds for digestion.

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Ayurveda

According to scientific studies, almonds are known for increasing the activity of good bacteria in the body and prevents the growth of bad bacteria from the digestive system. Therefore, it can be said that almonds are good for digestion as it helps in keeping the gut system healthy. 

According to ayurvedic studies, almonds have ushna property, which helps in improving the pachak Agni which is the digestive fire. Almonds help in digestion and keep the gut healthy and also treats constipation as it contains Snigdha property. 

Ayurvedic tip for consuming almonds for easy digestion of food.

Almonds are nutritious and therefore helps to keep the digestive system healthy. Follow these tips to make your digestive system healthy:

  1. You could take about 5-6 almonds and soak them in water.
  2. Let the almonds soak in water overnight.
  3. In the morning, peel off the covering of the almonds and consume on an empty stomach. 
  4. Repeat this process regularly for improving your digestive system.

 

Do almonds help in the treatment of anemia?

There are two views to this question. Check out the scientific view and ayurvedic view of consuming almonds for the treatment of anemia.

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Ayurveda

According to scientific studies, there is not enough evidence to support whether almonds can cure anemia or not. But almonds are a rich source of copper and iron, which may help synthesize hemoglobin in the blood.

According to ayurvedic studies, almonds have a balya property that is beneficial for improving the blood's hemoglobin levels. Therefore it may help in the treatment of anemia by taking care of body functions.

 

Ayurvedic tip for consuming almonds for the treatment of anemia

Almonds can help treat the problem of anemia to an extent. You can follow these steps:

  1. You could take about half or one tablespoon of almond oil in a glass.
  2. Add warm milk in the glass and mix well.
  3. You could then consume milk and Almond oil regularly before sleeping.
  4. This will help in increasing the hemoglobin levels in the body. 

Do almonds help in the treatment of PCOS?

The full form of PCOS is a polycystic ovarian syndrome, which is a hormonal disorder in the body. Almonds contain Phytic acid, which may help in the treatment of polycystic ovarian syndrome. Therefore, if you are suffering from PCOS, you could regularly consume almonds to improve it. 

Is it okay to consume almonds during pregnancy and breastfeeding?

Almond is a nutritious nut with all the essential vitamins and minerals necessary for a pregnant or a breastfeeding woman. Almonds have an essential nutrient called folate, which is beneficial for pregnant women. Therefore, consuming almonds during pregnancy or lactation is recommended.

What are the benefits of eating almonds on an empty stomach?

When almonds are eaten on an empty stomach, you can get the maximum benefits as the body can absorb the almonds' maximum nutrients when consumed on an empty stomach. However, if you have a weak digestive system, it is recommended that you consume the almonds along with a meal.

Is skin whitening one of the benefits of almond oil?

There are two views to this question. Check out the scientific view and ayurvedic view of consuming almonds for skin whitening.

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Ayurveda

According to scientific studies, almond oil has vitamins and minerals, which can help in clearing the skin of spots and dark pigmentation. Almond oil, when applied on the skin, can lead to skin whitening and clearing the skin complexion. The oil also protects the skin from harmful UV rays of the sun.

According to ayurvedic studies, almond oil has so many healing properties beneficial for treating damaged skin. The skin gets damaged because of the harmful UV rays that can cause the skin to become dull and dry. Almond oil helps in provide nourishment and glow to the skin. Therefore, the application of almond oil on the skin can lead to skin whitening.  

 

Is it okay to take almonds if you are taking any medicines?

According to scientific studies, there is not enough evidence to support whether almonds can be taken with medicines or not.

Is it okay to consume almond oil orally?

You could find two types of almond oil in the sweet almond oil market, and the other one is the bitter almond oil. According to the doctor's advice, it is recommended to consume only the sweet almond oil orally. You must not consume the bitter almond oil orally.

NS Desk

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Disclaimer - The aim of the article is just to convey information to you. Use any medicine, therapy, herb or fruit please do it under the guidance of a qualified Ayurveda doctor.