AROMATHERAPY AND ESSENTIAL OIL (APRICOT TREE/APRICOT ESSENTIAL OIL)

This article is dedicated to my botany university students.

Disclaimer:  please note that, this article is meant for informational purpose only, and not to treat or diagnose any ailment.

This article will provide introductory information for the apricot plant, history of the apricot plant, apricot essential oil and the uses of apricot essential oil.

 

APRICOT TREE (Prunus armeniaca)

Apricot tree is a small tree with dense spreading canopy, round leaves and v-shape margin, it has white flowers with pinkish petals which could be single or in a pair. Apricot tree produces small soft, round fruits with yellowish orange flesh with a stone like seed inside.

HISTORY OF APRICOT

The Latin name of apricot is prunus armeniaca or Armeniaca plum. For centuries apricot has being cultivated in Armenia and is believed by many researchers to have originated there. Archaeological finding show that, apricot cultivation in Armenia date back to the Neolithic era.

Other findings show that, early cultivation of apricot in Greece resulted ,from the conquest of Alexandra the Great, while in ancient Rome, apricot fruits where transported from it’s colonies for consumption and cultivation. In Persia, records show that apricot was extensively cultivated for commercial purposes. In the 17^th century, English settlers transported apricot seed to English colonies, such as America for cultivation.

APRICOT ESSENTAIL OIL/ USES

Apricot essential oil is obtained form the kernel of the fruit. Apricot essential oil is rich in vitamin E and carotene. This, make apricot oil an ideal ingredient in many cosmetic, facial creams and lotions products.

Apricot essential oil has medicinal properties; it’s used to cure illness such as

·         Respiratory infection

·         Asthma

·          constipation

·         Bronchitis

·         Emphysema

·         Cold and coughs

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