Top 5 Uses of Pecan Oil [List]
Pecans are buttery and delicious tree nuts native to North America. They’re popular in well-loved family recipes, favorite treats, salads or all on their own, raw or roasted. There can’t be many people who wouldn’t recognize these healthy, satisfying and nutritious nuts. But did you know that pecan oil can be pressed from the nuts… and that it’s incredibly good for you?
Before Europeans set foot in the New World, pecans were used and enjoyed by Native American tribes of the central and southern regions of what is now the United States. Early Native American tribes used pecans and pecan oil in natural remedies to help prevent and treat illnesses. Pecan oil is also a natural skin remedy used traditionally in ancient Mexican and Native American cultures.
Pecan oil is becoming more and more popular every year; with its vast health benefits and the long list of nutrients found in it, this oil boasts a wide range of uses. The fact that it’s delicious doesn’t hurt either!
These are some of the health benefits of pecan oil:
- Digestive health: Pecan oil promotes colon health and helps regulate bowel movements.
- Bone and tooth health: Pecans are rich in phosphorus, which is one of the most ample minerals in the body. Phosphorus, along with calcium and magnesium, promotes healthy bones and teeth.
- Skin health and repair: Pecans contain zinc and vitamins A and E, which play an important role in maintaining healthy skin. The zinc helps keep skin healthy by guarding against infections, while the vitamins, which are antioxidants, give you a clear complexion.
- Preventing iron deficiency: Pecans are high in iron which can help prevent conditions such as anemia.
- Blood pressure regulation: The high magnesium levels in pecans help to lower blood pressure, plus pecans also have anti-inflammatory properties.
- Cardiovascular health: Pecans are a rich source of fiber, which reduces the risk of disease, especially of the heart. Monounsaturated fats, like oleic acid, are also found in pecans and pecan oil. These are excellent for the health of coronary arteries and for the prevention of strokes.
- Immune system support: Pecans contain manganese, which is a very powerful antioxidant and is great for enhancing your immune system. This antioxidant is also effective for protecting your nerve cells from free radical damage.
For such small nuts, they sure pack a healthy punch!
So, what can we do with the oil from these nutritious nuts? There are actually a surprising number of uses.
Here are the top 5 uses of pecan oil:
1. Eat it!
Pecan oil is not only very beneficial, it’s also very tasty. With its nutty flavor, it adds a rich and satisfying layer to salad dressings and dips. You can make your own dressing by using pecan oil as a base and adding things like balsamic vinegar, honey, maple syrup, herbs and seasonings to create unique vinaigrettes. Or, you can add the oil to your salad on its own and really savor the decadent flavor.
Pecan oil can replace butter or olive oil. We don’t normally recommend that you cook with our oils, as the heat can damage the precious nutrients, however pecan oil is a delightful exception. Pecan oil’s ‘smoke point’ is 470°F, which means that as long as it stays below that temperature, it won’t oxidize. Feel free to sub it in for any other cooking oil you use.
Pecans are a very popular and traditional dessert ingredient. Given the high smoke point of the oil, it’s great to use in baking. You can also add it to sweet treats just before serving. Try it on ice cream or a brownie!
2. Slather it on your skin!
With nutrients like zinc, folate, phosphorus and vitamins A and E, this oil is a warrior for your skin. The zinc helps keep skin healthy by guarding against infections, while vitamin A helps maintain a clear complexion. Antioxidants in the oil, such as ellagic acid and vitamins A and E work to eliminate free radicals that cause signs of premature skin aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles.
Pecans are rich in various nutrients that are essential for the skin and really help you to achieve the healthy glow your skin is capable of. Your skin’s appearance really depends on what you consume… as they say, you are what you eat. Getting a balanced and nutritious diet is key to having healthy skin without any problems. If your internal organs aren’t functioning at their peak, your skin will suffer. Signs of an unhealthy system can include dull and oily skin, acne, pimples or other skin irritations, like eczema. Pecan oil supports healthy organ function, which allows for the removal of toxins and wastes from the body, leaving you with healthy, glowing skin.
You can add pecan oil to your face or body lotion and massage it into your skin. Add a drop or two to your face cream and then mix them in the palm of your hand. With body lotion, you may want to use as much as a teaspoon (or more) of oil, so I’d recommend mixing them in a small bowl. If you want to, you can put the oil right on your skin, straight (I find using wet hands makes it go a little farther). It can also be used as a massage oil.
Remember, even if you aren’t eating it, you need to make sure that you aren’t allergic. Especially if you haven’t eaten pecans or pecan oil before, spot test before putting it on your skin. If you have a tree nut allergy, it is safe to assume that you are probably allergic to pecan oil.
3. Care for your hair!
Nutrients in pecan oil strengthen the hair, helping each strand to grow smoother and thicker. In just 3 to 6 months you can greatly improve the density of your hair by incorporating pecan oil into your hair routine, turning thin and flat looking hair into a thicker and healthier looking ‘do.
Pecan oil is an excellent source of the amino acid L-arginine and iron, which are both known to help treat male pattern baldness and encourage the growth of healthy hair. Hair follicles need proper nutrient intake in order for strong and healthy hair to grow. Plus, for a healthy scalp and hair growth, proper blood circulation is essential. L-arginine makes artery walls flexible and works to prevent blood clots; that can resolve issues that may be preventing hair growth.
Use pecan oil as a hair treatment by rubbing it into scalp and roots and leaving it for a few hours or even overnight. You can also add it to coconut oil for a hair treatment that will include the benefits of both oils. After leaving it to soak into your hair and scalp, shampoo and condition as usual. You may find that you need to shampoo more than once in order to get all of the oil out, especially if your hair is thick.
You can also add a few drops of pecan oil to your shampoo or conditioner to incorporate it into your daily cleansing routine.
4. Soak it in!
Here’s one use for pecan oil that you may not have thought of: you can use it in a diffuser to infuse a room with its warm, intoxicating scent. While the smell will be lovely, you won’t get much of anything in the way of nutrition from it this way though.
If you’d like to enjoy the smell and get more of the health benefits, try this instead: add it to your bath or foot soak to reap the nutritional rewards through your skin, while the hot water relaxes your muscles after a long day. Plus, as with any bath oil, it can prevent and treat chapped, dry skin. With its pleasant aroma, you won’t even need to add essential oils to create a luxurious spa experience in your own bathroom!
5. Au naturel
You don’t need to add it to anything to experience the vast benefits of pecan oil; you can simply swallow it straight off the spoon or mix it with a little water. I recommend a teaspoon a day as part of your daily supplement routine.
Resources:
http://www.nuthealth.org/pecans/
http://www.stylishwalks.com/benefits-uses-pecan-nuts-skin-hair-health/
http://www.naturaloilsforhair.net/2014/11/improve-your-hair-density-with-pecan-oil-treatments.html
http://www.royaltypecans.com/using-pecan-oil-outside-the-kitchen/
http://healthybenefits.info/what-is-pecan-oil%E2%80%8F/
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