Bitter Almond Essential Oil
The Almond is a small deciduous tree, native to central Asia and perhaps the Mediterranean, is now cultivated principally in the Middle East, Italy, Spain, and in California. It closely resembles the peach, of which it may be an ancestor, except that the fruit is fleshless. In the Middle East the tree breaks into sudden bloom in January, and in Syria and Palestine it has come to symbolize beauty and revival. The rod of Aaron in the Bible bore almonds.
| Adulteration: | Bitter almond oil (Prunus amygdalus var. dulcis) the addition of, or passing off benzaldehyde, as the bitter almond. |
| GRAS Status: | Bitter almond essential oil (free of Prussic acid) has GRAS status. (49) |
Properties, Indications
and Uses: | |
| Toxicity: | Free from Prussic acid
LD50 - (oral) rat >0.96g/kg; (dermal) rabbit >10.6mg/kg.
Irritation/Sensitisation - not known
Phototoxicity - Nil reported |
| Perfumery Uses: | |
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