Almond
(Prunus Amygdalus)
Common Names: Creek nuts, Jordan almond.
Medicinal Part: Kernels.
Description: The almond tree is cultivated, especially in California, southern Europe, and the Mediterranean countries. It usually grows from 10 to 20 feet high and has lanceolate, finely serrate leaves on thorny branches. The large flowers usually occur in pairs and are soft rose to whitish in color.
Properties and Uses: Demulcent, emollient, pectoral. For a good, cleansing facial scrub, include ground almonds in your preparation. Their emollient properties also make them suitable as ingredients in cosmetics. The oil derived from a bitter variety of almond has sedative properties and is sometimes used in cough remedies. The oil from a sweet variety makes a soothing ingredient in internal medications and can also be used externally as an emollient. Almond butter makes a rich protein substitute for peanut butter, usually well tolerated by diabetics.