Sunflower oil aromatic benefits and harms. What is combined with

Sunflower oil is the main culinary vegetable oil in the CIS countries, and in the world it occupies the 4th position in terms of production volumes. In addition to the food industry, this product can be used for medicinal and cosmetic purposes. For maximum useful application you should know how to choose the best sunflower oil, the benefits and harms, how it is obtained, cleaning methods and how best to preserve its properties.

From this article you will learn:

How sunflower oil is obtained

Nowadays, sunflower is most actively grown in Russia and Ukraine, respectively, and in terms of sunflower oil production, these countries are among the leaders. Probably, the reason for this is the fact that it was in the Russian Empire that sunflower developed as an oilseed crop. The invention of the technology for obtaining oil from the seeds of this plant in 1829 is the merit of the fortress town of Aleksevka, Belgorod Region, Daniil Bokarev. Five years later, the peasant managed to open his own oil mill, and by 1860 there were already 160 factories of this kind operating in the city.

Seed processing

For the production of oil, sunflowers of oilseed varieties are used. The seeds of these plants maximum content fat - this indicator is called oil content. The grain arriving for processing will be checked in the laboratory for moisture content, oil content, weediness, and ripeness. Processing includes cleaning, drying, peeling, sorting, grain grinding and oil extraction. A by-product of sunflower oil production is meal, a valuable feed product enriched with protein. It is used to improve the diet of fish, birds, livestock. Raw proteins in the meal can take up to 41% of the composition.

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Pressing is one of two ways to extract vegetable oil from sunflower seeds. Compared to extraction, it is considered more environmentally friendly, but has a lower oil yield. This figure rarely exceeds 30%.

The mint obtained after grinding the kernels is usually heated in braziers to 100-110˚C, after which it is sent to screw presses. Depending on the thickness of the mint layer, the density and viscosity of the oil, the pressure in the press, a different volume of oil can be squeezed out of the grains relative to its actual share in the composition. Due to the heating, the oil obtained in this way is recognizable by the pronounced aroma of roasted seeds. It also contains decomposition and oxidation products, due to which the smell and color are more pronounced.

Without heating the mint, cold-pressed oil is produced. Unlike the product described above, useful substances are better preserved in it: antioxidants, enzymes, vitamins, organic and fatty acid. minerals, sunflower oil salts. The disadvantage of this type of oil is that it has a short shelf life, which makes it bitter and cloudy quickly.

Sunflower oil pressed in this way is called raw. Subsequently, it is subjected to settling and filtering. This treatment makes the liquid the most delicious and healthy. The cake remaining after pressing can be processed into a feed animal product, or it can be sent for the extraction of the remaining oils.

Extraction

Obtaining sunflower oil by extraction is carried out by immersion in an organic solvent in the extractor. As a result of this treatment, two products are obtained: a solid defatted meal and a solution of solvent and oil, called miscella. Passing through screw evaporators and distillers, the oil is separated, settled, filtered and further technological steps.

Most often, extraction gasolines are used as solvents. With their help, it is possible to extract up to 99% of the oils contained in the seeds. Such a high efficiency is beneficial for manufacturers, so a sufficiently large amount of oil is extracted by extraction.

Refining

Oil refining is the general name for a set of technological stages during which substances are removed from the oil that give it a smell, color, taste and other physical and chemical characteristics. In fact, there are no mineral and vitamin supplements in refined oil, so sometimes you can hear the definition of “impersonal”. Sunflower oil refining consists of six stages:

Removal of mechanical impurities. It is always carried out. Oil that has passed only this stage of refining is sold as unrefined. Its purification includes only settling, filtering and running through a centrifuge.
Hydration and separation of phosphatides. It is a treatment with water heated to 70˚C. Thanks to it, swelling and precipitation of mucous and protein substances occur, which contribute to the speedy deterioration of the oil.
Neutralization removes free fatty acids from the product, which smoke during frying, turn into carcinogens, and generally shorten the shelf life. This step is also necessary for the removal of pesticides and heavy metals. An oil that has passed this stage can be sold as non-deodorized refined.
Whitening with organic adsorbents, most often with clays. They draw out dye components, which also cause oxidation, and the liquid brightens. After this stage, the oil does not contain pigments and has a light straw color.
Deodorization is a vacuum treatment with dry hot steam (up to 230˚C), which removes odorous substances that also oxidize the product during storage.
Freezing to remove waxes that get into the oil from the seeds. They are especially noticeable in cloudy oil standing in the cold. After freezing, the product becomes even lighter.

Refined oil is sold not only as food product, but is widely used in the production of cooking oils, margarines, sauces, mayonnaise and other products. In this case, the absence of a strong smell or taste is a plus, as it does not affect the quality of the final product.

The use of sunflower oil is not limited to the food sector. It serves as an auxiliary raw material in the production of canned meat and fish. It can also be used in soap making, although it does not have the best soap characteristics, as well as in the production of paint and varnish products.

Unrefined vs Refined - What's the difference?

Most of the sunflower oils sold today in supermarkets and shops are refined. Advertising, basically, frightens with the presence of cholesterol in unrefined oil, as well as the release of carcinogens during frying. However, refined oil is called useless by some consumers. Say, if there are no vitamins or minerals, why is it needed.

The answer to the question of which sunflower oil is best for frying is refined. It can also burn and create smoke, but its smoke point is much higher: +232˚C versus +107˚C. That is, unrefined oil will smoke almost always, and when frying on a refined product, this can be avoided.

However, scientists say that frying with refined oil is also unsafe. It produces trans fats that are not perceived by the body and damage cell membranes. As a result, this leads to the development of coronary disease, atherosclerosis, hormonal instability and oncological formations. In addition, such oil is useless in cosmetology, because it contains much less of one of the most valuable components in this regard - tocopherol. This antioxidant helps keep you young and prevent cancer.

Unrefined oil is healthier in composition, but requires special handling. It really is better to use it in frying to a minimum. But for salad dressing, cooking homemade mayonnaise and other uses without high temperature, it is excellent. This is where the oil will show its best properties. The main thing is not to store it for future use because of the short shelf life, but to keep it cool without access to light in an airtight metal or glass container. After opening, it is best to keep the liquid in the refrigerator.

Useful properties of sunflower oil

The chemical composition of sunflower oil is as simple as that of most other vegetable fats. It is 99.9% fats and fatty acids, and the remaining 0.1% includes some water, vitamin E and phosphorus. Calorie content also corresponds to pure vegetable oils - 899 kcal per 100 g.

According to the content of vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) in the diet, there are practically no products that interrupt sunflower oil. The benefit of this substance lies in the strongest antioxidant properties. Tocopherol prevents the destructive activity of free radicals, which increases the risk of developing cancer, and also accelerates the aging process in cells and tissues. According to the content of this substance, sunflower seed oil is ahead of olive oil.

About 60% of the oil is linoleic polyunsaturated fatty acid, about 24% - oleic monounsaturated, and another 11% saturated acids: palmitic, stearic, arachidic, behenic.

The presence of linolenic and linoleic acids is useful because the human body does not synthesize them on its own. Sometimes they are also called vitamin F, the deficiency of which is most common. Unsaturated fatty acids are essential for strengthening cell membranes and nerve fibers. In addition, they help to eliminate cholesterol and stabilize the circulatory system.

Medicinal properties

The best medicinal properties are unrefined sunflower oil of the highest grade, easily recognizable by its pleasant aroma and characteristic taste. The presence of sediment in the product does not always signal poor quality. If it is formed by phosphatides, then it is useful for the production of phosphoric acid by the body and the growth of cell membranes.

Both folk and traditional medicine recognize sunflower oil as useful, offering it for the prevention of liver and kidney diseases, digestion, thrombophlebitis, and ailments. women's health, heart and blood vessels, encephalitis and problems of the musculoskeletal system.

It is believed that the oil stimulates the intestines and to treat constipation, you need to take 2 tablespoons of liquid on an empty stomach daily in the morning. Rubbing and massage with oil are advised by traditional healers to relieve rheumatism. To enhance the healing effect, it is recommended to add garden wallflower flowers, rosemary herb or pepper tincture to vodka. Sick joints are advised to rub with a mixture of equal parts of oil and propolis, mixed in a water bath.

A burning remedy for the treatment of articular rheumatism is prepared from red pepper. It is crushed, poured with oil and kept warm for about 9 days. After shaking, the mixture can be rubbed into the joints, but one must be prepared for the fact that the skin will burn and redden.

With osteochondrosis, a remedy made from salt, sunflower oil, which are mixed in proportions of 1: 2, helps. After mixing thoroughly, they must be left to dissolve for several days, so that the liquid becomes whitish-cloudy. To speed up, you can use slightly warmed oil. This simple drug should be smeared into the diseased area of \u200b\u200bthe spine in the first days for 2-3 minutes. Further, every day the duration of the procedure should be increased by 1-2 minutes, until it reaches a third of an hour. Thanks to the salt treatment of osteochondrosis, metabolic processes are stimulated, blood flow and the removal of harmful substances are accelerated, which helps to reduce inflammation and relieve swelling.

With an old cough, it is recommended to mix a tablespoon of honey, flour, oil, mustard powder and half a spoonful of vodka. The product is heated and mixed for a couple, turning into a sticky dough. It needs to be kneaded and spread in a small layer on the chest through gauze folded four times, covered with a scarf or film on top and left overnight. You can warm up in this way a couple of times a week.

Traditional medicine recommends instilling sore ears with a mixture of sunflower and geranium oil in a ratio of 3: 1. For those suffering from sore throats, it is advised to lubricate the throat with a solution of sunflower and aloe oils. To restore the skin from cracks and diaper rash, you can make a sunflower compress applied to the problem area during sleep. Rubbing pressure sores with this oil also has a positive effect.

Despite the high calorie content, sunflower oil is not dangerous for those who are on a diet. In addition, stable functioning of the body is impossible without fats. IN large quantities you still won’t be able to use it, and a tablespoon of liquid will not only make a salad with sprouted wheat tastier, but also contribute to an efficient metabolism.

Harm and contraindications

The main danger of sunflower oil is carcinogens that appear during thermal processing. For this reason, it is better for him to choose a good alternative for frying in the form of an olive type refined or pomace. In salads, soups, pastries, dressings and sauces, sunflower oil remains harmless.

Refined sunflower oil can only be used for frying at low temperatures, up to +200˚C. At the same time, washing dishes after it must be treated very responsibly. Residual oil, when reheated, will contaminate the fresh product with harmful substances.

Due to the choleretic effect, the use of oil can adversely affect the condition of people with diseases of the biliary system and gallbladder.

Is it possible to treat burns with sunflower oil

Sunflower oil, the benefits and harms of which are wider than it seems, is mistakenly used to lubricate fresh burns. This is categorically false. The fact is that heated, burned cells need heat to escape. The oil creates an impenetrable film that prevents the tissues from cooling, in fact, clogging the cause of pain inside.

For severe burns, it is much more beneficial to wash the skin. cold water, quickly pulling out excess heat. But for the rapid healing of blisters and wounds left from burns, sunflower oil is suitable. It is necessary to mix it with wax from a ratio of 2: 1, warm it up until it is evenly mixed and apply it warmly to the wound through a napkin.

What sunflower oil is useful in cosmetics

In cosmetology, sunflower oil is rarely used. Perhaps the reason is that its availability and widespread culinary demand do not create the impression of an extremely valuable and rare oil, saturated with a huge amount of useful substances. In composition, it really loses to many vegetable oils, but this does not make it useless for personal care. Can be used quite effectively sunflower oil for hair, face and nails.

Thanks to fatty acids and tocopherol, the application of this liquid in a thin layer helps to nourish, moisturize, restore cells and enhance the immune properties of the skin. You should not be afraid of oily sheen, because sunflower oil is close in structure and composition to natural sebum. Thanks to this, by the way, it is well absorbed and accepted by the epidermis.

In general, this product can be used along with other vegetable oils in masks, hair wraps, creams and ointments. Cosmetologists note that this is an affordable basis for restorative and moisturizing preparations for hair.

Sunflower oil is suitable for removing make-up, as it perfectly dissolves cosmetical tools. Even persistent cosmetics, once in the country without special tools, can be removed with a cotton pad soaked in oil. The nourishing and moisturizing effect is an added bonus.

Sunflower oil benefits and harms For massage

In its pure form, sunflower oil is very rarely used as a massage base, as it tends to form a film on the surface of the skin. More often it is mixed in different proportions with other base and essential oils when creating complex mixtures.

However, in the absence of alternatives, you can take this oil. The main thing is that it will provide sliding of the hands, preventing damage to the skin. For massage of the back, feet, arms, shoulder and elbow joints, a mixture of 50 ml of sunflower, 4 tbsp. coconut, and 5-10 drops essential oil lavender.

Some ways to use oil in everyday life

A mixture of equal parts alcohol and sunflower oil helps to remove stains from lacquered furniture, giving a second life to solid chests of drawers, tables, chairs and other interior items.
Sunflower oil can be used to remove fresh paint stains on clothes. Here it serves as a solvent - you need to apply the oil for 5-10 minutes, and then wash it with dishwashing detergent.
Rubbing with sunflower oil will help remove bad smell in the refrigerator, or remove the onion flavor from a cutting board or knife.
Dachas and private houses are sometimes attacked by ants who want something to eat. Oil helps to scare them away - they need to coat the edges of containers with cereals or packages with products of interest to insects. This is useful to know when preparing for a picnic.
By mixing 30 g of oil with 90 g of melted rosin and 1 tsp. syrup or honey, you can get a mixture for homemade duct tape against insects. It is necessary to anoint thick paper with it, and Velcro for the same ants is ready.
Sunflower oil can temporarily lubricate the hinges of doors and furniture. But you need to lubricate them with a more suitable agent as soon as possible. Oil, by the way, helps from jamming locks on clothes and bags.
Oil can restore the shine of kitchen utensils and cutlery.
For situations with a power outage in the country or just to create a special atmosphere, oil lamps are used. And yes, in a critical situation, you can replace the special oil mixture with ordinary sunflower oil.

How to choose the best sunflower oil

About how to choose an oil based on the purpose of its use, it was said above. Summarizing, we can say that unrefined is for cold use, and refined is for not too hot frying and dishes in which the aroma and taste of oil should not be felt.

Sunflower oil benefits and harms

How to choose quality oil from sunflower seeds of one type or another on the store shelf. You need to be guided by the following signs:

The liquid should be clear, but not necessarily colorless. A dark yellow color is acceptable, especially for an unrefined product. It may also have a weak sediment. But refined oil with sediment is a fake or a spoiled product.
The unrefined liquid has a clear sunflower aroma and taste. In refined oil, they are either less pronounced or completely absent (in deodorized oil). Any type of product should not taste bitter.
The label of a good product contains information about the name, nature of cleaning, composition, available additives, GOST, place and date of production, as well as the expiration date of the product. In the Russian Federation, since July 1, 2014, the national standard GOST 1129-2013 “Sunflower oil. Specifications".
Naturally, the “younger” the oil by the date of production, the more willingly it should be taken.
Sunflower oil stored in the light oxidizes, so it is better to take bottles from the depths of the shelves, where the lighting is poor.
"Sunflower oil" - pure product from sunflower seeds. A trade item called "vegetable oil" may include admixtures of other oils.
Manufacturers that emphasize the presence of vitamin E often add it as a vitamin supplement. Although, there is nothing frankly bad in this, of course.

In 2014, the publication Roskontrol conducted an examination of 22 copies of refined sunflower oil sold in retail chains in the Russian Federation. The most consistent with the declared characteristics was shown by the popular Oleina brand and oil from the economy segment Every Day. With weaker performance, but compliance with the standards, the tests were also carried out by the brands "Anninskoe", "Zlato", IDEAL. The highest content of unsaturated fatty acids was noted in Every Day oil - 64.2%, and IDEAL and Anninskoye became the leaders in terms of the amount of vitamin E - 45.65 mg and 45.52 mg per 100 g.

Storage

Contrary to the opinion of many consumers, sunflower oil does not have a very long shelf life. This is especially true for an unrefined product, which already oxidizes under the influence of light, and after opening the package, the spoilage process is accelerated several times. Therefore, with rare use, it is better to buy small amounts of oil that will not have time to deteriorate while standing on the kitchen shelf.

Before plastic bottle with oil will be opened, it should be stored in a cool and cool place (from + 5˚C to + 20˚C). The expiration date, which is indicated on the bottle, is relevant only under these conditions and until it is opened.

After depressurization, unrefined oil packed in plastic containers can be stored for no longer than 2 months. After pouring into a glass bottle (preferably tinted glass) and placing in a dark place, this period may increase to 3-4 months, but it is still better to consume the product within 60 days. Popularly to extend the shelf life to the bottom glass jar put a spoonful of salt or a few dry beans.

For long term storage, freezing may be considered. In fact, the liquid does not freeze, but retains beneficial features much longer. After one freeze-thaw cycle, food and medicinal value the product does not change.

How to clean oil at home

Sunflower oil can be obtained not only industrially, but also at home. To do this, the grain is moved, crushed, separated from the husk with water. After that, you can squeeze out the oil. In everyday life, for this, you can use a special nozzle to separate the juice from the cake. Some home-grown butter makers equip presses for this purpose. grape juice. One way or another, after obtaining coarse oil, it becomes necessary to clean it.

First you need to drive the resulting liquid through a funnel-shaped filter made of paper or non-woven fabric. As an alternative, a cloth that allows oil to pass through is suitable, because at this stage the main thing is the mechanical cleaning of oil from cake, pieces of husk, etc. You can take repeatedly folded gauze. Paper oil filters are rare, but are found in specialized stores. The product should be filtered immediately after squeezing, as the oxidation of the components begins immediately after squeezing.

Instead of straining, you can try to defend the oil. To do this, it is poured into an opaque container made of mild steel, glass or plastic, closed with a lid and left alone for about a day. This is enough to move light inclusions to the surface, and heavy inclusions to the bottom. For better purification, the liquid can be filtered after this stage, after which unrefined home-made sunflower oil will be obtained.

At home, the possibilities of oil purification end there. Yes, alkaline neutralization and hot steam deodorization are possible at home, but this, firstly, costs time and money, and secondly, requires a good understanding of the process from a chemical point of view. In general, homemade unrefined oil is more than suitable and healthy for eating. It is not inferior to the purchased one in its characteristics and is kept in excellent condition provided suitable storage conditions are provided.

Crude sunflower seed oil is one of the most popular types of vegetable fats, characterized by aroma and amazing properties. To get the most out of it, it is important to know how to handle it in the kitchen and the details of its composition.

How the benefits of unrefined sunflower oil are revealed through manufacturing technology and composition

In a sunny, luxurious sunflower, which arrived in the Old World from America, remained an ornamental plant for a long time, then its seeds were tasted.

But only in the first half of the 19th century in Russia, the plant was first appreciated as a source of oil, and after some half a century it thoroughly entered the world cuisine.

Unrefined sunflower oil has a characteristic taste, but most importantly - a bright, rich aroma that perfectly sets off everything it is added to - warm and cold (including a lot of salads!) Snacks, sauces, pastas and cereals (as well as other main dishes), some pastries .

Like most other vegetable oils, it is produced using one of three technologies (however, the first two are usually combined into one):

The pressing method, in which oil is literally squeezed out of crushed raw materials at a temperature not exceeding 40 degrees (cold method) or from raw materials heated to 100-120 degrees (hot method). According to scientists, in the first case, it retains a maximum of useful substances, but it costs more and is stored less. But what is made according to the second option - the smell clearly reminds of roasted sunflower seeds;

The extraction method consists in extracting fats from raw materials by exposing them to special chemicals, after which the liquid result is separated into spent solvents and, in fact, edible oil. This method increases the yield of finished products and reduces its cost, but significantly reduces the quality of the oil.

The resulting oil is purified, that is, it is mechanically filtered from impurities, and such, as much as possible preserved unchanged, it is called unrefined.

It is the fact that the product (unlike the refined one) is not subjected to a multi-stage purification system, which allows preserving the taste and aroma, as well as all the benefits of unrefined sunflower oil.

But for a number of reasons, it is not intended for cooking food with it, through exposure to high temperatures:

When frying, it smokes and foams strongly;

specific taste is enhanced and, like the smell, is transferred to the prepared dishes;

heat treatment is capable of releasing carcinogens from the oil;

It also destroys useful components, including vitamins and amino acids.

The energy value of sunflower oil is amazingly high - about 900 kcal per 100 g, that is, 1 tablespoon containing about 15 ml contains about 130 kcal.

daily rate 2-4 tablespoons of vegetable oils are considered, and it doesn’t matter whether the salad is dressed or the cutlets are fried, the only thing that matters is how much oil has entered the body.

When following a diet to reduce body weight, it is usually not necessary to exclude vegetable oil - the main thing is to be content with a reduced portion of 1-2 tablespoons.

Almost 100% of sunflower oil is fat, but it does not contain any proteins or carbohydrates.

It is also important to note that although sunflower oil can affect cholesterol already in the body, it actually does not contain cholesterol.

The unrefined oil contains a high content of the most important vitamins:

· A often enters the body with vegetables and fruits, but sometimes it is initially - only a provitamin - it is the reaction with sunflower oil that helps it to become vitamin A. This vitamin is essential for good vision, cell division and the production of blood cells;

E in sunflower oil contains no less than in olive oil. It is necessary for the synthesis of hormones, metabolism, and without it, vitamin A cannot be fully absorbed;

· F is required for the creation of cell membranes, and at higher levels of exposure - lowers cholesterol, resists the flow of inflammatory processes and is important for the prevention of diseases of the musculoskeletal system;

· Important for the prevention of vitamin deficiency - if at least there is no lack of it, the deficiency of other vitamins is not so critical. It is responsible for the accumulation of calcium in the bones and mineral metabolism in general, and has a positive effect on the functioning of the kidneys.

Note that in sunflower oil there is practically no such element as Omega-3, for this - you need to take olive or linseed oils.

In what cases will benefit from unrefined sunflower oil

Regular use of unrefined sunflower oil contributes to the overall strengthening of the body and a surge of vitality, strengthens the immune system and increases endurance to both physical and psycho-emotional stress.

The oil delicately solves such a digestive problem as constipation, supports the treatment of gastritis and stomach ulcers.

In it, as already mentioned, there is no cholesterol, but not only that - it somewhat reduces its level in the human body.

Unrefined sunflower oil is rightly recommended for the following purposes:

optimization and acceleration of metabolic processes;

prevention of cardiovascular diseases;

setting up the functioning genitourinary system;

cleansing the body of toxic substances and toxins;

Prevention of demi-season colds and relief of such symptoms of SARS as a painful reaction to bright light and sore throat.

It is well known how this oil is valued in the care of appearance, for example, in hair masks. But a similar effect will soon be observed when it is included in the diet.

This is largely explained high content vitamin "beauty" E, which rejuvenates and cleanses the skin, makes hair thick and silky, and nails strong and shiny.

Unrefined oil as part of vegetable salads is very useful for expectant and nursing mothers - it contributes to the formation of a healthy fetus, strengthens the baby's immunity and supports the metabolism in his body.

Rules for the selection and storage while maintaining the benefits of unrefined sunflower oil

Unrefined sunflower oil should not be too pale or too dark, good oil almost transparent, but there may be sediment at the bottom of the container - this is a normal indicator of the organic phospholipids contained in it.

You should not buy oil from unverified hands on the market - there is a chance to try out a fake diluted with a cheap surrogate, for example, soybean oil.

As for the oil with official labels, the most delicious and healthy one is the one made from October to December, that is, from fresh, not last year's seeds.

Compared to refined oil, unrefined oil has a shorter shelf life and requires special storage conditions:

at a temperature of 5 to 20 degrees, but optimally - on the shelf of the refrigerator;

away from direct sunlight;

Under a tightly closed lid

If it is in plastic, it is better to pour it into a glass container.

Oil that is not quite fresh, or if it is stored in inappropriate conditions, quickly deteriorates, which can be determined by the shades of taste and smell that have changed in an unpleasant direction with a hint of rancidity and clouding of the oil.

Can there be harm from unrefined sunflower oil

The harm of unrefined sunflower oil with an overdose of 80 ml per day is manifested by unpleasant impressions - nausea, heartburn, diarrhea, but after a day or two the condition returns to normal. If there are no alarming symptoms, and the oil in the diet is almost like a river, you can expect more impressive harm from unrefined sunflower oil, including weight gain, obesity and disorders in the functioning of the cardiovascular system.

It is worth using with caution, so that there is no harm, unrefined sunflower oil (or, on the recommendation of a doctor, refuse altogether) when following conditions:

diseases of the biliary tract;

serious disorders in the work of the pancreas;

a weakened or diseased liver, since all the fats are a big burden for it;

taking medications that reduce blood clotting;

Disorders in the work of the gastrointestinal tract, requiring a special diet and / or periodic medical supervision.

Sunflower oil is the most demanded, popular and affordable product among similar ones. Since it has a natural plant origin, it undoubtedly has beneficial and harmful properties. What are the benefits and harms of sunflower oil, how to take it for recovery? It turns out that the answer to this question depends on what kind of oil we use.

Useful and harmful properties sunflower oil depends on whether it is refined or not

Types of sunflower oil

The product is of two types: unrefined and refined.

Unrefined. Obtained by pressing (cold or preheated raw materials). It is considered the most beneficial for the body, as it retains all the beneficial compounds in an active form. It is characterized by a specific smell and taste, dark color, precipitation in containers during storage. This oil is suitable for use as an addition to salads or for treatment. Heating leads to a change in the chemical composition of the active components and their transformation into toxic compounds. Therefore, frying in unrefined oil is not recommended.
Refined. After pressing, it undergoes a number of successive processing processes. The result is a light yellowish transparent product, odorless and tasteless (negligible), which does not form a precipitate. In this oil, there are no longer substances that smoke during frying, but there is also no initial amount of vitamins and useful compounds. It is more suitable for frying, but when eaten raw, it brings nothing but calories.

Features of the chemical composition

Sunflower oil is rich not only in saturated, but also in unsaturated fatty acids, including OMEGA-3 and 6. They are responsible for the state of the nervous, immune, endocrine systems. Fatty acids are components of the shell of every cell in the body. They normalize the composition of the blood, prevent the deposition of cholesterol plaques and have many other important properties for the body.

In addition, sunflower oil (unrefined) is rich in vitamin E. 100 grams of the product contains 300% of the daily requirement for this important compound. That is, to provide cells with tocopherol, only 30 g (two tablespoons) of sunflower oil is required.

Useful and harmful properties of sunflower oil

In order to accurately determine for yourself whether it is possible to drink sunflower oil or choose another recovery option, you need to know what beneficial properties it has and what harm it can cause. The benefits of the product are as follows:

prevents the occurrence of atherosclerosis;
eliminates violations of cognitive processes (improves memory, stress resistance, speed of mental reactions, attention and concentration);
promotes cell rejuvenation;
improves immunity;
improves the condition of the skin and its derivatives;
prevents the development of cancer;
lowers cholesterol levels, preventing heart and vascular diseases;
normalizes the hormonal background;
has a positive effect on the formation and maturation of germ cells;
prevents the development of obesity;
normalizes blood pressure;
eliminates congestion in the gallbladder;
promotes the removal of toxins and toxins;
has a regenerative effect.

Attention! The listed properties refer to unrefined sunflower oil, which is widely used not only in traditional medicine, but also official, as well as in cosmetology. For medicinal purposes, the product is used internally and externally.

Despite the abundance of beneficial properties for the body, sunflower oil, with an inattentive approach, can also cause serious harm to health. First of all, this refers to the way cooking. As already mentioned, the unrefined product is not recommended to be heated at all. It contains a large amount of free fatty acids and other organic compounds that can turn into toxic substances for organs, causing cancer. Refined oil should only be used once for frying. Reheating it also contributes to the formation and accumulation of carcinogens.

Advice! There will be more benefits if vegetables or meat are first stewed in water, and sunflower oil is added at the end.

If you plan to drink oil on an empty stomach, then you need to keep in mind that it has contraindications:

in the acute stage;
individual intolerance.

It is best to consult a doctor before using a sunflower product for medicinal purposes. This article, like other informational materials on the network, is not a guide to self-treatment.

Who can drink sunflower oil and when?

As a rule, with therapeutic purpose The product is taken on an empty stomach. What are the benefits of sunflower oil drunk on an empty stomach? Several options for this approach are possible.

For the treatment and prevention of diseases

Sunflower oil inside can be used as a preventive measure or for the treatment of the following disorders in the body.

Regular intake of sunflower oil on an empty stomach contributes to the prevention of diseases of the heart and blood vessels

. To get rid of this disorder, it is enough to drink about 20 g (tablespoon) of oil on an empty stomach every morning. Gradually, the feces will become soft, and defecation will occur without difficulty. In the process of such treatment, it is recommended to drink a large amount of plain water.
Diseases of the anus (). As with constipation, taking the product on an empty stomach in the morning helps to soften the stool. This, in turn, will make defecation less traumatic and painful, and will allow the damage to heal faster.
Atherosclerosis. In vascular diseases associated with cholesterol deposits, it is recommended to drink oil on an empty stomach twice a day for 10 g. It improves blood properties and helps to cleanse the vascular walls from atherosclerotic deposits.

Cleansing the body

Sunflower oil is used to cleanse the body of toxins and toxins. This Indian method does not consist in the use of oil inside, but in a kind of rinsing of the mouth with it. It is believed that in this way the product absorbs toxic substances, "collects" pathogenic microorganisms and saves a person from many diseases, since the blood supply to the oral cavity is activated in the process of sucking and chewing.

The cleansing procedure is simple: you need to chew and suck one tablespoon of sunflower oil on an empty stomach in the morning and at night. The duration is about 20-25 minutes. During this time, the oil in the mouth should first become thick and then very thin. You can not swallow it, after the required time the oil is spit out. However, it should be white.

For weight loss

Despite the fact that the calorie content of sunflower oil is 900 kcal, it is also successfully used for weight loss. The fat-burning effect is due to the presence of unsaturated fatty acids in the product, which normalize metabolic processes and promote the breakdown and removal of fat.

For weight loss, you need to take sunflower oil on an empty stomach before breakfast and after dinner (before going to bed) in a teaspoon. The course of admission is 60-90 days. According to reviews, this approach makes it possible to reduce body weight by 5-10 kg.

How to drink sunflower oil during pregnancy

During the bearing of a child, the benefits of sunflower oil drunk on an empty stomach are to prevent constipation and eliminate heartburn.

During pregnancy, sunflower oil taken orally will prevent constipation and heartburn.

If a natural unrefined product in its pure form causes a gag reflex, then it is enough to add it to salads or seize, for example, with lemon. A pregnant woman is recommended up to 3 tablespoons of oil per day. To get rid of heartburn, one tablespoon is enough.

Child use

If the child has frequent problems with bowel movements, then taking the oil on an empty stomach will gradually eliminate this disorder for a long period of time. Since not all children will be able to drink it in its pure form, you can add a sunflower product to a finished dish, for example, to soup. Per day, depending on how strongly the violation is developed, from 1 to 3 tablespoons is enough.

Use by the elderly

The use of sunflower oil on an empty stomach will have invaluable benefits for the elderly and senile. It slows down the aging process in the body, prevents the occurrence of diseases of the central nervous system (for example, Alzheimer's), and is the prevention of cancerous tumors. In addition, constipation is often observed in old age due to developing intestinal hypotension. Reception oil product normalizes digestion and peristalsis, facilitates defecation.

Refined vegetable oil is a product obtained as a result of various purification operations from pressed plant materials. Moreover, any oil can be used: obtained both from seeds and from leaves, roots and nuts. The very word "refining" came to us from the French language, in which "raffine" means "refined, processed."

Refined oil is plain language, processed and refined vegetable oil. The refining process consists in removing a wide variety of impurities and substances from unrefined raw materials. Refining is actually a rather complicated operation. It consists of several stages, each of which can be either the only refining method or used in combination with the others.

How are they refined?

Vegetable oil is refined in the following ways:

Beneficial features

Despite the fact that opponents of refined oil use the fact that refining completely deprives the oil of useful substances and vitamins as an argument for their position, this opinion is still somewhat erroneous, since it is worth paying attention to the heat treatment that you will carry out with this type of product. The fact is that unrefined little, when heated, forms the most harmful carcinogens. That is why for frying and other types of culinary operations directly related to high temperatures, only refined oil should be used. In addition, refined oil is unable to act as an allergen, which means that for people suffering from various types allergies, it will be safe.

And, of course, one should not be so categorical about the “emptiness” regarding the presence of useful substances in the composition of refined vegetable oil. The fact is that, indeed, various stages of refining remove some types of vitamins from the oil. But fatty acids, such as Omega-3 and Omega-6, which are necessary cardiovascular system of our body, they save us from the development of atherosclerosis and prevent thrombosis. The absence of these acids in hedgehog daily diet can contribute to slowing down the growth and development of the body, worsening blood clotting and suppressing the reproductive system.

Application in cooking

The use of refined vegetable oil in cooking is very widespread. Most often, of course, our compatriots use refined sunflower oil for culinary purposes. But do not discount many other types of oils, each of which has its own inherent taste and the presence of a variety of useful components:

In almost every recipe, we can find such an ingredient as vegetable oil. Attention should be paid to the method of processing the products included in its composition. Remember that unrefined vegetable oil is only allowed in recipes that are completely absent. heat treatment, for example, in salads and dressings already ready meals, because when heated and reaching the smoke point, it forms great amount harmful substances.

Another positive quality refined product is that it does not have a specific taste and smell inherent in unrefined oil. After all, if you are preparing a salad, then the rich aroma of olive, sunflower or sesame oil will be appropriate, but when roasting juicy steak it doesn't fit at all. In addition, unrefined butter will foam when frying and will not give the golden crust that we would like to get.

The benefits of refined vegetable oil and treatment

The benefit of refined oil is the absence of an allergic reaction during its use. That is why it is recommended for small children. After all, vegetable oil is an indispensable component of a child’s nutrition literally from the first year of his life. Besides, while caring for the baby's delicate skin, you should also use refined versions of various oils that are unable to cause allergic itching, rashes and irritation on the baby's delicate skin.

In addition, it is also preferable for adults to use refined oil for medical purposes.

Regular consumption of refined corn oil or sunflower oil in moderation will help lower blood cholesterol levels, and their gentle enveloping effect will help relieve coughs and cope with dry skin.

For cosmetic purposes, refined oil will become your faithful assistant. After all, oil masks will return your hair strength, shine and beauty. Your nails, thanks to warm oil baths, will get stronger and grow better. The oil will also help with rough heels and chapped lips.

Harm of refined vegetable oil and contraindications

The harm of refined oil lies mainly only in its calorie content, because it is quite high and amounts to 899 kcal per 100 g. That is why you should carefully monitor the amount of product consumed.

Vegetable oil has been used for food, beauty and health for many centuries. Depending on the geographical location, each people had their own familiar oils. In Rus' it was hemp, in the Mediterranean - olive, in Asia - palm and coconut. An imperial delicacy, a cure for a hundred diseases, a natural pharmacy - as soon as vegetable oil was not called at different times. What are the benefits of vegetable fats and how are they used today?

The huge energy potential of vegetable fats is explained by their purpose. They are found in seeds and other parts of the plant and represent a building reserve for the plant. The amount of fat in oilseeds depends on the geographic area and its climatic conditions.

Sunflower oil is one of the varieties of vegetable and purely Russian product. It began to be obtained from sunflower seeds at the beginning of the 19th century, when the plant was brought to our country. Today the Russian Federation is the world's largest supplier of this product. Vegetable oils are divided into two categories - base and essential. They differ in purpose, raw material and method of obtaining.

Table: differences between base and essential oils

	vegetable	Essential
Class	fats	ethers
Feedstock	kernels; seeds; fruit;	leaves; stems; rhizomes;
Organoleptic properties	do not have a pronounced odor; oily heavy base; pale colors - from light yellow to greenish	have a rich aroma; flowing oily liquids; the color depends on the raw material and may be dark or bright
How to obtain	pressing; extraction	distillation; cold pressing; extraction
Scope of use	cooking; pharmacology; cosmetology; industrial production	aromatherapy; pharmacology; perfume industry
Method of application in cosmetology	transport oil; base for the preparation of oil mixtures; as an independent agent in undiluted form	only in combination with base oils

According to the consistency, vegetable oils are of two types - liquid and solid. Liquids make up the vast majority.

Solid or butter oils include oils that retain liquid consistency only at temperatures above 30°C. Butters of natural origin - coconut, mango, shea, cocoa and palm oil.

How to get

Vegetable oils differ in the technology of their extraction from plants. Cold pressing is the most gentle way of processing raw materials (it must be of the highest quality). The seeds are placed under a press and squeezed at high pressure. Further, the resulting oily liquid is settled, filtered and bottled. At the output of raw materials, no more than 27% of the fats contained in it are obtained. This is the healthiest product called cold pressed oil.

Pressing after heat treatment allows the use of seeds of any quality. They are preheated in a brazier, then squeezed. Yield - 43%. In this case, some of the useful properties of the oil are lost.

Extraction is the most productive and cheapest way to obtain organic oil. It is used to work with low-oil raw materials. The extraction method uses the ability of vegetable fats to dissolve under the influence of chemicals. Oil products (gasoline fractions) are used as a solvent. Then they are evaporated, and the residues are removed with alkali. It is impossible to obtain harmless vegetable oil in this way; some of the chemicals remain in it even after the most thorough cleaning.

Photo gallery: types of vegetable oils

The frozen butter is used for children and diet food Refined oil is widely used in cooking Unrefined oil can only be consumed cold

The extracted oil is converted into refined oil by several stages of purification:

hydration is a way to remove from crude oil phospholipids, which long-term storage and transportation precipitate and make the oil cloudy;
alkaline neutralization is used to remove free fatty acids (soaps);
waxes are removed by freezing;
physical refining finally removes acids, removes odor and color.

The freezing method is used not only for refined oils.

Vegetable fats obtained by pressing and then purified by freezing are used in baby and diet food.

The best frozen vegetable oils are sunflower and olive. Olive contains monounsaturated fatty acids that do not lose their beneficial properties when heated.

What are the benefits of vegetable oils

The biological value of vegetable oils is determined by their fatty acid composition and the amount of related substances:

Saturated fatty acids predominate in butter, sesame, soybean and cottonseed oils. They give the product antiseptic properties, inhibit the growth of fungi and pathogenic microflora, promote the synthesis of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid. Some of them are used as an emulsifier in skin care cosmetics and medicinal ointments and creams.
Monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) - oleic, palmitoleic (omega 7). Oleic acid is found in large quantities in olive, grape, rapeseed and rapeseed oils. The main function of MUFA is to stimulate metabolism. They prevent cholesterol from sticking to the walls of blood vessels, normalize the permeability of cell membranes, and have hepatoprotective properties.
Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) - linoleic (essential PUFA), alpha-linoleic (omega 3) and gamma-linoleic (omega 6). Contained in linseed, sunflower, olive, soybean, rapeseed, corn, mustard, sesame, pumpkin, cedar oil. PUFAs improve the structure of the vascular walls, participate in the synthesis of hormones, and prevent atherosclerosis.
Concomitant substances in vegetable oils are vitamins A, D, E, K, B1, B2 and nicotinic acid (PP). An obligatory component of vegetable fats is phospholipids. Most often they are found in the form of phosphatidylcholine (formerly called lecithin). The substance promotes the digestion of food and the absorption of nutrients, normalizes cholesterol metabolism, and prevents the accumulation of fats in the liver.

In Russia, as an edible oil, sunflower and olive oil are the most popular. In addition to them, there are more than a dozen vegetable fats that have excellent taste and beneficial properties.

Table: useful properties of vegetable oils

Name	Benefit
olive	prevents cardiovascular diseases; contains antioxidants; has a laxative effect; promotes healing of ulcerative lesions of the stomach; reduces appetite
Sunflower	prevents the development of atherosclerosis; strengthens blood vessels; stimulates brain activity; normalizes the digestive system; strengthens bones and is used in the treatment of joints
Linen	thins the blood; protects blood vessels; improves the conduction of nerve impulses; has antitumor properties; helps with skin diseases (acne, psoriasis, eczema)
Sesame	increases resistance to viral and infectious diseases; treats cough; strengthens the gums; has antifungal and wound-healing effect
soybean	reduces the risk of myocardial infarction; improves liver function; normalizes the functioning of the nervous system; restores working capacity
Cedar	reduces the consequences of exposure to harmful environmental and production factors; improves immunity; improves eyesight; increases the level of hemoglobin; treats skin diseases; slows down aging; saturates the body with vitamins
mustard	used to treat anemia; useful in obesity and diabetes; normalizes digestion, eliminates constipation; promotes wound healing; improves brain activity
Palm	has a powerful antioxidant effect; useful for people who monitor their weight; lowers cholesterol levels; promotes the reproduction of the visual pigment of the retina

Rating of usefulness of vegetable oils

Nutritionists advise expanding the range of vegetable oils and keeping 4-5 types on the kitchen shelf, alternating their use.

olive

The leader among edible vegetable oils is olive oil. In composition, it competes with sunflower, but it has one indisputable advantage. Olive oil is the only vegetable fat that can be used for frying. Oleic acid - its main component - does not oxidize when heated and does not form harmful substances. Olive oil has fewer vitamins than sunflower oil, but its fat composition is better balanced.

Sunflower

Next to olive oil, the place on the podium is deservedly occupied by unrefined sunflower oil. Nutritionists consider it necessary product in the diet. Sunflower oil is the leader in the content of vitamins, especially tocopherol (one of the most powerful antioxidants).

Linen

Flaxseed oil is the lowest calorie, it is equally useful for women and men. It is recommended for use in breast and prostate cancer, it is good for skin and hair. The oil is taken as medicine, dressed with salads and used externally.

mustard

Mustard oil is a home doctor and a natural preservative. It contains bactericidal esters, which gives it the properties of a natural antibiotic. Products seasoned with mustard oil stay fresh longer. Heating does not deprive the product of useful qualities. Mustard oil baked goods stay fresh longer and do not go stale.

Sesame

Sesame seed oil is the leader in calcium content. It is useful to use it for gout - it removes from the joints harmful salts. Dark-colored oil is used only cold, light-colored is suitable for frying.

Benefits of vegetable oils for women and men

Cedar and mustard oil in the diet of a woman is not only "food" for the mind and beauty. They are good for women's health. Substances in their composition help:

normalize the balance of hormones, especially in the premenstrual and menopause;
reduce the risk of infertility;
prevent the formation of fibroids;
improve the course of pregnancy;
increase the number breast milk and improve its quality.

For men, mustard oil will help protect against prostate diseases, increase fertility (the ability to fertilize).

Photo gallery: oils for women's and men's health

Mustard oil normalizes hormonal balance in women Cedar oil improves reproductive function Linseed oil increases potency

Flaxseed oil is another product for maintaining beauty, youth and women's health. Its constant use helps to push back the period of withering thanks to phytoestrogens. It has a beneficial effect on the condition of a woman during pregnancy, improves the condition of blood vessels, preventing the development of varicose veins.

Flaxseed oil is a “male” product that allows you to achieve a stable increase in potency. Erection improvement is achieved by beneficial influence on the elasticity of the vessels of the penis and their blood supply. In addition, flaxseed oil promotes increased testosterone production, improving the male reproductive function. Pine nuts, black cumin, pumpkin and olive oils have a similar effect.

Vegetable oils for children

A child needs vegetable fats no less than adults. They are added to the first complementary foods in homemade vegetable purees (in vegetable mixes industrial production it has already been added). Start with 1-2 drops of oil per serving. A one-year-old child is given at least 5 g, distributing this amount in the daily diet. Oils useful for children:

sesame is ideal for baby food due to the easily digestible form of calcium;
cedar is recommended by pediatricians to prevent rickets and iodine deficiency;
olive has the most balanced composition for baby food;
unrefined sunflower is rich in vitamins;
flaxseed contributes to the proper formation of brain tissue;
mustard - the champion in the content of vitamin D;
oil walnut has a rich mineral composition, suitable for weakened children and during the recovery period after an illness.

Saturated with fragrances and dyes, children's creams are replaced with vegetable oil.

To care for diaper rash and folds, sunflower oil boiled in a water bath is used. Coconut, corn, peach and almond are allowed to massage babies.

Consumption rates

On average, an adult man needs from 80 to 150 g of fat per day, a woman - 65–100 g. A third of this amount should be vegetable fats (1.5–2 tablespoons), and for older people - 50% of the total consumed fat (2-3 tablespoons). The calculation of the total amount is based on the need for 0.8 g per 1 kg of weight. The daily requirement of the child:

from 1 to 3 years - 6-9 g;
from 3 to 8 years - 10–13 g;
from 8 to 10 years - 15 g;
over 10 years old - 18–20

One tablespoon is 17 g of vegetable oil.

The use of vegetable oils

In addition to cooking, vegetable oils are used for medicinal, cosmetic purposes and for weight loss.

Treatment and recovery

In order for the oil to benefit health, it is taken on an empty stomach:

any edible vegetable oil taken in the morning relieves constipation (use no more than three days in a row);
with gastritis, colitis, biliary stagnation and stomach ulcers, it is recommended to drink 1 teaspoon of oil before meals two to three times a day;
relieves hemorrhoids by taking one teaspoon of oil 3 times a day an hour before meals.

Oil from pumpkin seeds take a tablespoon before meals three times a day for two weeks.
Flaxseed oil is taken orally three times a day for a teaspoon before meals. Another teaspoon can be added to the salad. Additionally, the oil is used in microclysters - a tablespoon of the product is added per 100 ml. An enema is done at night, while it is advisable not to empty the intestines until morning.
Castor oil combined with cognac is considered effective tool against helminths. The same amount of cognac is added to the oil heated to body temperature (50–80 g). The time of taking the mixture is morning or evening. Treatment is continued until the feces are cleared of worms.
Unrefined olive oil (1/2 liter) is infused for three days in a cool place with 500 g of garlic. Then 300 g intervenes there rye flour. The course of treatment - 30 days on a teaspoon three times a day.

Why is it good to rinse your mouth with vegetable oil?

Healing oil rinses were practiced several centuries ago in India. In the last century, doctors recognized this method of cleaning the oral cavity. Pathogenic microbes have a fatty membrane that dissolves upon contact with vegetable oils. Thus, the oral cavity is disinfected, inflammation of the gums is reduced and the risk of caries is reduced.

Rinsing is done with sunflower, olive, sesame and linseed oil. To do this, take two teaspoons of the product and roll it in your mouth for 20 minutes. The oil mixes with saliva, increases in volume and becomes thick. Then they spit it out, rinse their mouth with warm water and only then brush their teeth. You need to start the procedure from 5 minutes. Linseed oil is enough to rinse your mouth for 10 minutes.

Rinsing helps not only to preserve the health of teeth and gums, they make breathing easier and relieve sore throats.

Using olive oil in this way, you can cure a sore throat. Coconut oil additionally whitens teeth.

Video: how to be treated with vegetable oil: grandmother's recipes

Vegetable oils for weight loss

The effect of losing weight with the help of vegetable oils is achieved by gently cleansing the body, saturating it beneficial substances and increase their absorption from other foods. In addition, oils have the ability to reduce appetite. For weight loss, olive, linseed, castor and milk thistle oils are used.

Flaxseed oil is drunk on an empty stomach in a teaspoon. For the first week, its volume is gradually brought to 1 tablespoon. The course is two months. One teaspoon of olive oil in the morning on an empty stomach will additionally increase the body's defenses and heal the skin.

Castor oil is good for colon cleansing. You can take it for no more than a week, 1 tablespoon half an hour before breakfast. A week later, the course can be repeated. Milk thistle oil is also taken on an empty stomach, 1 teaspoon, washed down with cold water.

The use of oils in cosmetology

Except edible oils, there are many vegetable fats used exclusively in cosmetology. They successfully replace creams, ready-made masks and other skin and hair care products.

Skin care

avocado oil, macadamia, grape seeds, olive restores and moisturizes dry flaky skin. Corn and cedar oil gives elasticity to aging skin. Jojoba oil nourishes and smoothes the epidermis. They can be used in their pure form or prepare masks based on them.

Nourishing and moisturizing mask for aging skin includes heated cocoa butter (1 tbsp), rosehip and sea buckthorn (1 teaspoon each) and vitamins A and E (4 drops each) added to 1 tbsp. cream spoon. Step-by-step care will help to cheer up tired skin:

wash your face with water mixed with corn oil (for 1 liter of water - 1 teaspoon);
make a compress with a weak solution of soda;
apply cabbage leaf gruel to the skin;
wash off the cabbage mask with warm water.

Hair care

Oil masks are especially useful for dry and weakened hair. They eliminate dandruff, restore the hair shaft, nourish the scalp and hair follicles. For oily hair, grape seed and almond oil is suitable. Dry hair prefers burdock, coconut and olive oil. From dandruff helps jojoba, burdock, grape seed oil and castor oil.

If taken in the morning on an empty stomach, a tablespoon linseed oil hair will become lush and shiny.

Damaged hair is treated with a cottonseed oil mask. It is rubbed into the scalp, hair is wrapped in a towel and kept for an hour. Then the hair is rinsed with warm water. Heated olive oil (2 tablespoons) in combination with 1 tbsp will relieve split ends. a spoonful of vinegar and chicken egg. The mixture is applied to the ends of the strands and aged for 30 minutes, then washed off with water.

Care for nails, eyelashes and eyebrows

Oils are an excellent care for nail platinum, they prevent delamination, strengthen and make it less brittle:

to strengthen the nails, prepare a mixture of 2 tablespoons of almond oil, 3 drops of bergamot ether and 2 drops of myrrh;
a mask of olive oil (2 tablespoons), lemon esters (3 drops), eucalyptus (2 drops) and vitamins A and E (2 drops each) will accelerate the growth of the nail plate;
Jojoba oil (2 tablespoons), eucalyptus ether (2 drops), lemon and rose esters (3 drops each) will add shine to the nails.

For various reasons, eyelashes can fall out, and areas of alopecia appear on the eyebrows. Three "magic" oils will save the situation - olive, castor and almond. They will provide nutrition to the hair follicles, enrich the skin with vitamins. Daily massage of the brow arches with one of the oils will make hair growth thicker. Oil is applied to the eyelashes with a thoroughly washed mascara brush.

Herbal oils for massage

For massage, vegetable oils are suitable, which do not thicken when heated and do not leave a greasy film on the body. You can use one oil or prepare a mixture, but no more than 4-5 components. The most useful are those obtained by cold pressing. They are rich in vitamins that are beneficial for the skin.

Oil from flax seeds and wheat germ soothes the skin and heals wounds, carrot oil is suitable for aging skin. Cocoa, jojoba, peach, palm and safflower oils can be used for all skin types.

Contraindications and possible harm

Unrefined vegetable oils are harmful if used for frying. The compounds contained in them are oxidized and turn into carcinogens. The exception is olive oil. Vegetable fats are a high-calorie product, they should not be abused by people with obesity and a tendency to it. Medical contraindications:

acute pancreatitis;
cholelithiasis (you can not use the oil in its pure form);
thrombophlebitis and heart disease (sesame oil is not allowed);
allergy (peanut butter).

Harm causes oil with improper storage and exceeding the expiration date. Nutritionists advise not to abuse rapeseed and soybean oil, since GMOs can be raw materials.

Video: vegetable oil - the choice of a nutritionist

There is a heated debate around the benefits and harms of vegetable oils. One thing is obvious - they are necessary for our body, but in moderation. And they will only be useful if proper storage and use.