Macadamia oil

Macadamia is originally an Australian plant from which the nut is derived for extracting oil. This nut oil is natural and has plenty of benefits in every drop. It has enormous utilities in daily lives where it is preferred over any other cooking oil. It has diverse therapeutic uses in maintaining good health. A huge range of skincare and hair care products are made from it.

Macadamia oil

Table of Contents

Table Of Content

Table of Contents

Macadamia Oil Description

Oil extracted from Macadamia nuts have a pleasant aroma and color, its detailed attributes are:

Color: It has a warm golden hue.

Taste: It has a sweet butter like taste.

Flavor: It has a mild nutty fragrance.

Macadamia Oil Properties

Major properties of this oil are:

Smoke Point: 410 °F (210 °C)

Specific Gravity: 0.92

Macadamia Oil Distribution

Macadamia nuts are a native of Australia but they are also grown in many other American states like Florida and California apart from central Africa.

Commercial industry of these nuts began in Hawaii, during the 1900s. However, in Australia, this nut has been commercially grown throughout New South Wales extending up to the north of Queensland.

Picture 1 – Macadamia oil

Macadamia Oil Composition

100 gm of oil contains energy, protein, fat (natural oils) and some traces of sodium. It has no carbohydrates, sugar, cholesterol or potassium.

Macadamia Oil Extraction Process

For its extraction, no heat or chemical is required. It can be done using the cold press extraction method. This process keeps the oil’s fragrance and color intact, making hundred percent organic. But getting it in pure form is difficult.

Macadamia Oil Nutritional Value

Fatty Acids	Range
Myristic	0.6-1.6 %
Palmitic	7.0 – 11.0 %
Palmitoleic	18.0 -25.0 %
Stearic	2.0 – 4.0 %
Oleic	55.0 – 62.0 %
Linoleic	1.0 -4.0 %
Arachidic	2.0 – 4.0 %
Eicosenoic	2.0 – 4.0 %

100 gm of macadamia nut oil contains the following:

Energy
Protein
Fat Monounsaturated Polyunsaturated Saturated	100 g 80.5 g 2.5 g 16.6 g
Carbohydrates	Nil
Cholesterol	Nil
Potassium	Nil
Sugars	Nil
Sodium	Trace

Macadamia Oil Health Benefits

Macadamia is stuffed with natural nutrients that offer an array of health benefits for healthy living.

The oil keeps heart happy as it doesn’t have trans- fats and has high concentration of mono-unsaturated fats unlike many ordinary oils.
Mono-unsaturated fats are good for health as they reduce cholesterol levels and risks of breast cancer.
Macadamia natural oil is laced with properties that help in controlling diabetes.
It has a very high smoke point so it doesn’t alter its composition at extremely high temperatures.
High concentration of antioxidants and vitamin E help maintain overall health of the skin by reducing effect of free radicals.
It is even healthier than vegetable oil or any other type of oil.
Fatty acids like Omega 3 and 6 that are present in the oil are very effective in keeping cell walls in good shape. They regulate metabolism and keep the reproductive system in good shape.
The oil supplies the regular dose of fiber to the body which helps in digestion thereby reducing problems associated with bowels.
It has a number of other nutrients essential for keeping the body healthy.
This oil is used as a preventive measure for ageing.

Macadamia Oil Uses

Macadamia natural oil has varied usages owing to its excellent composition for which it is often used as a substitute to olive oil.

Picture 2 – Macadamia oil Image

Edible Uses

This oil can be used in cooking in a number of ways, as it has a nice taste and retains its aroma even at high temperatures unlike olive oil.

As a substitute: This oil can be used in a number of cuisines as a substitute of margarine and butter because it has very less saturated fat. It also can make up for olive oil in salads dressings. It can be had with bread and crackers instead of butter as it is way healthier.

Frying oil: This serves as deep frying oil as it won’t harm your health like other oils which changes chemically at higher temperatures.

Baking: For baking cakes and cookies this oil is favored over butter as it is healthier and can be used in less quantity.

Different recipes: This oil can be used for making innovative fish and chicken recipes like Thai Chicken and Basil stir-fry or broiled white fish with rosemary.

Before serving risotto try adding this oil to the dish and see it transform itself into a delectable item. A dash of macadamia nut oil on steamed fish and vegetables makes it aromatic and visually appealing.

Medicinal Uses

This oil is an effective remedy for healing scars and minor wounds as it can be readily absorbed into the skin.
It can also be applied on the skin for treating sun burns.

Other uses

The oil is used in aromatherapy treatments for sensitive/normal/oily skin as the oil blends well with other carrier oils and seeps into the skin texture making it soft from within.

Macadamia Oil Cosmetic Uses

This oil has splendid nutrients that can tone and hydrate skin.

Oil extracted from macadamia has magical properties that can enliven dry scalp by nourishing it with its nutrients. It has a high content of Palmitoleic acid which is rich in Omega 7 that is similar to sebum secreted by the hair follicles.

It doesn’t coat the strands of hair with oil but penetrates deep into the scalp, moisturizing dry and damaged hair from the roots to the tips, making it shine with health.

Intense Repair Hair mask: The oil is a highly preferred ingredient for a hair mask, opted for its ability to replenish the lost nutrients from the scalp. For treating hair loss and dry split ends, a deep hair mask can be prepared by blending essential oils like tea tree oil, aloe, chamomile and argan oil with it, in balanced quantities. Follow these steps to rebuild your hair:

Apply the oil on you scalp after shampooing and towel drying your hair.
After gently massaging through the hair, comb your hair to spread it evenly.
Leave on for 10 to 15 minutes and follow it up with a wash using lukewarm water.

Oil for Skin: This oil is not greasy, which makes it suitable for nourishing skin without appearing shiny.

Cosmetic products: Macadamia oil is used to make a number of therapeutic products like facial creams, lip balms, soaps, body scrubs, bath oils, lotions and shampoos.

Using Macadamia Oil during Pregnancy

There are no known complications of using this oil during pregnancy or breast-feeding but it is generally advised to avoid excess intake of this oil. It can however be used in the prevention of stretch marks during pregnancy, by massaging the abdomen with the oil in light strokes.

Macadamia Oil Side Effects

Although there are plenty of health benefits of this nut oil, there might not be many known cases of side effects associated with it. This nut oil may not be suitable for those allergic to nuts. Excess intake of the oil may also lead to accumulation of fat in the body.

Macadamia Oil Availability

This natural oil can be purchased from any local grocery store or online stores that offer some of the best prices.

Macadamia Oil Storage

The oil retains its liquid form in room temperature. It is stable as it has very less polyunsaturated fat. Its shelf life is long, about 2 years even if it is not refrigerated and this makes it more viable commercially. In sealed condition you can keep it away from heat and direct light to maintain its freshness.

Macadamia oil, extracted out of the nuts is the storehouse of nutrients more than any other nuts. There is almost no known toxicity of this oil but health benefits are indeed multiple.