MEDICINAL PLANTS

The almond is a fruit tree that can reach over 10 feet high if land is in a very good, although it is normal to measure 4 to 5 meters. Its trunk is formed by a rough and cracked bark. It has many branches spread throughout the tree. The leaves are oval, smooth, and full of small glands. In fall and winter it is a deciduous tree. The flowers are white or pink and have a cup small and very open. He is originally from East and North Africa, where still in the wild. For many years, cultivated throughout the Mediterranean, notably it can find in the East, Andalusia and Mallorca.

FLOWERING

Their flowering occurs too early. The flower buds are already formed in the fall. In some areas, such as the Balearic-may come to flower in late December. In other regions they do in January and February. The fruits take a long time season, as they need about eight months for this. As they mature, the fleshy part of fruit juice and loses its hardening to terminate by unstuck. Within the fruit is commonly known as the seed kernel. The part of the almond trees are harvested its seeds, which are used in many different ways.

APPLICATIONS

The almond is widely used in medicine, cosmetics and kitchen. It works effectively against the cough. By removing the juice is a good syrup against irritations and inflammations of the stomach, intestines, kidneys and bladder. Almond oil is used in skin conditions and is very effective against sunburn. Everyone knows the nutritional properties of almonds. They are a good food after inflammation of the digestive tract and are highly prized in the preparation of various sweets such as marzipan, nougat, etc.. It is also a large nut with nutritional properties, widely used as anti-anemic as energy input. However, care must be taken with bitter almonds, because they may be toxic, even to cause death if ingested in large quantities.

ADMINISTRATION

Almond milk. Macerated for 20 to 30 grams of sweet almonds. Then ground in a mortar with 15 grams of sugar and make a fine paste. Everything is mixed with 1 quart of milk, strained and added a little orange flower water.
Beauty mask. Mix almond powder with lemon for oily skin and spread it as mask for the skin. If skin is dry, it is best to use milk to mix.
Fruit. It can be taken in several ways: tender (not dry at all), mature-but-raw or roasted and prepared as fresh in many recipes.

SUMMARY

FAMILY: Rosaceae
HABITAT: East, North Africa and Spain
FLOWERING: January and February
PART USED: Seeds
CASTILIAN: Almendrero
CATALAN: Ametller
BASQUE: Almendara
GALICIAN: Amendoeira

USES

Healing Moderate, Mild laxative, Mild inflammatory.