Apricot oil is extracted from the seeds of the Apricot plant, scientifically known as Prunus armeniaca. The oil is derived through a process of cold compression. They are indigenous to Armenia, but it is believed to have originated in China. However, they are now cultivated mostly in the Mediterranean and Central Asia.

The use of apricot kernel and its oil have a long history. Since the 17th century onwards, apricots have spread in England and used for treating various ailments and illnesses, such as tumors and ulcers. It is even widely used in traditional Chinese medicine for this very purpose.

Apricot oil is great to be used as a massage oil as it is a very mild oil, able to penetrate deep within the skin’s layers and known to make the skin very soft, as such most sources deem it to be suitable as a carrier oil for essential oils to be diluted with. However, apricot oil also contains health benefits on its own, so read on to find out what they are!

Health Benefits of Apricot Oil:

1. Great for the Skin

One of the best benefits of apricot oil is that it is great for those with sensitive skin. Its mild formula makes it a non-irritant and soothing oil for those who experience sensitivity and irritation due to other harsh products. It makes the skin smooth and it seeks to moisturize the skin, while soothing irritation and redness. Thus, it is also a great oil to have if you have dry and damaged skin.

The oil’s fine texture allows for rapid penetration beneath your skin, thus facilitating enhanced nourishment of chapped skin from within. Yet, even though it seeks to moisturize, it does not leave an oily residue on your face due to its light nature.

The antioxidants present in apricot oil is also great for improving skin tone and reducing the appearance of ageing signs such as fine lines, wrinkles and even sagging skin because it helps fight off free radical damage.

As such, the oil is great to be combined with other essential oils, like rosemary essential oil or tea tree essential oil, for this very purpose.

2. Great for Treating Dark Eye Circles

Apricot oil is also great for treating dark eye circles and reducing the appearance of it. Since the oil is able to penetrate deep within your skin’s layers, it helps to facilitate the healing process of the dark lines and wrinkles around the eyes. You can even combine it with almond oil for an even more optimal result and apply it regularly under the eyes for the dark eye circles to fade away.

3. Great for the Hair

Apricot oil is also a great agent to promote the health of your hair. It boasts a number of benefits to your hair, such as being able to facilitate hair growth and mitigating hair loss in both men and women. Its rich vitamin E and K content nourishes the hair and strengthens the hair roots and the hair follicles, which hence prevents the excessive hair loss.

It also acts as a natural moisturizer for dry and damaged hair, thus helping you to achieve the radiant and lustre hair without having any greasiness. Not only that, it reduces dry scalp problems and softens the hair, thus making it less brittle or less tangled. Ultimately, it seeks to soothe an irritable scalp and removes harmful chemical agents that might linger on your scalp, therefore preventing hair damage.

You can even use it as a hot oil treatment to allow the nutrients from the oil to go deeper into your scalp and penetrate your follicles. This will allow for a more effective conditioning of the hair and ultimately seeks to nourish the hair.

To do a hot oil treatment, you can mix about 6-8 drops of apricot oil with equal amounts of almond oil and heat this mixture up in low heat. Stir the mix and then allow the oil to cool. It should not be too hot as to burn you, but it should be warm.

Massage the oil onto your scalp in circular motions, slowly working down to the ends of your hair. After that, wrap your hair with a plastic cover and a towel and allow the oil to sit for at least 30 minutes. Once done, rinse the oil out and wash as per normal. You can repeat this process for about 3-4 times per week.

4. Great for Relieving Constipation

As has been mentioned above, apricot oil has been widely used in the traditional Chinese medicine world, for the purposes of treating constipation and inducing a more active bowel system.

This is because not only can the oil be used for treating skin and hair problems, but it is also a wonderful natural laxative that helps to facilitate easy bowel movements and to remove the toxic deposits out from the body. What’s even great is that it will not contain harmful chemical agents and unnecessary side effects that comes with drug prescription laxatives.

As it is a very good carrier oil agent to be blended with for a massage oil, simply mix 6 drops of apricot oil with 2 drops of peppermint oil and massage over the abdominal area to stimulate bowel movements.

5. Great for Respiratory Ailments

Chinese medicine has also used the oil to treat a variety of respiratory conditions like asthma, emphysema, cold and bronchitis. This is because apricot oil also contains much antitussive, expectorant and antiasthmatic qualities that can help dispel out excess phlegm and mucus in the respiratory tracts and to provide unobstructed and freer breathing.

This hence helps to alleviate colds, cough and lung congestion. Simply add 4 drops of apricot oil with 2 drops of peppermint and 2 drops of black pepper essential oils into steam inhalation. Alternatively, you can use this mix to massage your back, temples, chest and throat areas, owing to apricot oil’s nature as a good massage blend.

Safety Precautions:

• Apricot oil is safe to be used topically, and it is generally regarded as a good carrier oil for other essential oils to be blended with so as to form a promising massage blend.

• There is not much research done on the safety of taking apricot oil internally, so it is wise to avoid taking it internally or consult with your doctor first before using this oil internally.

• This is because apricot kernels contain amygdalin and this is converted into cyanide by the body, which is ultimately poisonous and harmful. While the amygdalin is usually removed from the oil, it is wise to always be absolutely sure that the oil has been fully processed and removed of this poisonous substance.