The avocado has achieved enormous popularity over the years. In the United States avocado consumption is about 2.5 lbs. yearly per capita, which translates to a robust 750 million pounds. Although Super Bowl Sunday accounts for five per cent, or 37,000,000 lbs. of America's annual consumption of avocados, it is quite fair to say, it isn't all guacamole. In fact, the uses of the avocado fruit (yes, like the tomato, it is a fruit) provide an enormous spectrum of applications. The nutrients, vitamins and other compounds that make up the avocado and its oils have long been used in a variety of ways by many cultures in the Western Hemisphere. Although the avocado is generally regarded as mostly a food and food additive, its ingredients provide healing, curative, soothing and enhancing properties that are very unique.
Avocados are chock full of nutrients. They contain large amounts of vitamin B, vitamin C and vitamin E; they are cholesterol and sodium free, and they have more potassium per ounce than bananas. Note that these are just some of the dietary properties of avocados. All parts of the avocado plant, bark, leaves, fruit and seeds are richly infused with vitamins and essential properties that have many medicinal uses.
It is generally believed the avocado tree is native to Peru and was originally cultivated in the Peruvian Andes several thousand years ago. The Mayan civilization recognized the benefits that avocados provided. Over the span of many generations the avocado plant branched out across Central America, particularly to the Incas of Guatemala and Aztecs of Mexico, and into North America. Spanish conquistadors referred to the fruit as alligator pears because of the skin color and texture. Many of them brought the fruit back to Europe and avocados are now cultivated world-wide, predominantly in Spain, Israel and South Africa.
The herbal and medicinal uses for avocados are infinite and have been developed, refined, tested and studied over many hundreds of years. They contain so many vitamins, nutrients and minerals that are used as effective remedies and cures that it would take (has taken) volumes to enumerate them all. That said, I would be remiss if I did not mention at least some of the most important properties and medicinal uses of the avocado plant.
The avocado is one of the most effective anti-oxidant fruits in the world. In particular, its high levels of oleic acid offer protection against heart disease, strokes and even cancer. Avocado oil has long been used to treat skin ailments. Recent research has revealed that avocados possess a chemical that stimulates the synthesis of collagen when applied to the skin. This treatment revitalizes the skin, giving it a young, fresh look. So it's no wonder that avocado oil is one of the most essential ingredients in producing many of our skin soaps, lotions and creams.
Craig Boggs invites you to visit http://www.henleynatural.com/ to shop for natural soap. Our soaps are made with quality natural ingredients in small batches to guarantee freshness. If you have sensitive skin and prefer unscented soaps, you will love our avocado oil soap.
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