Red palm oil, African oil palm, is extracted by cold pressing from the fruit of the Elais Guineensis palm tree. Not to be confused with palm kernel oil, which is extracted from the seeds. This palm can grow up to 65 feet, with leaves, dense flower clusters, and large clusters of dark, reddish-orange fruit. Each fruit is about the size of a large plum with a fleshy outer shell and a seed (palm) inside. This tree flourishes in humid tropical climates and is native to tropical West Africa.
Red palm oil has numerous health benefits! It’s a powerhouse of nutrition! Contains more nutrients than any other dietary oil. Its vibrant dark red color comes from carotenes such as: alpha-carotene, beta-carotene and lycopene. These nutrients are what give carrots, tomatoes, and other fruits and vegetables their rich colors. It also contains at least ten other carotenoids, vitamin K benefits, CoQ10, squalene, phytosterois, flavonoids, phenolic acids and glycolipids. It is rich in the benefits of vitamins A and E! For example, it contains fifteen times more provitamin A carotenes than carrots and three hundred times more than tomatoes! This oil is one of the richest sources of natural vitamin E! It also contains natural antioxidant benefits!
This oil is somewhat different from normal palm oil. It is not refined and bleached. It contains more carotenoids, tocophenols and tocotrienols, with natural non-hydrogenated saturated fats (50%) and unsaturated fats (50%). The main type of unsaturated fat in red palm oil is oleic acid, which also predominates in olive oil. Virgin red palm oil is not refined. It is 100% pure and natural. This virgin oil has no dyes or additives. Retains a high content rich in vitamins A and E! It has the fragrance of violets with an earthy aroma. It tastes similar to olive oil. It is used in various ways: to eat in food, for cooking, for cosmetics or to make homemade soap.
HEALTH BENEFITS:
It can be mixed with mayonnaise, salad oil or other foods. One tablespoon of red palm oil is a recommended dosage when used as a dietary supplement. It can improve blood circulation and protect against heart disease.
BENEFITS FOR SKIN CARE:
Red Palm Oil offers multiple skin care benefits! It has moisturizing and healing properties. It is beneficial for eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, dry, sun-damaged or prematurely aged skin. This oil is crafted into many commercial and homemade skin care products. The benefits of vitamin E and the benefits of vitamin A make this oil a popular choice for skin care!
MAKING HOME SOAP:
As a soap making oil, it makes a good hard bar of soap with a stable lather. It blends well with other oils to make soap, such as: coconut and olive oil. In your homemade soap recipes, you may want to naturally color your soap with a warm orange-yellow tint. You can achieve this by adding a small amount to your base oils or super fatting to a minimum. This oil has a shelf life of approximately eighteen months. Store it in a cool, dry, dark place. Its level of saturated fats will help resist rancidity.
