Greetings from this part of the world, my name is Mistural, and I'd like to welcome you all to my blog.
Today I'll talk about Palm Kernel Oil, its origins, health benefits, and other uses.
Many people confuse palm kernel oil with palm oil, but the two are completely different. Palm kernel oil is an edible oil extracted from the palm tree's kernel, whereas Palm oil is an edible oil extracted from the palm fruit's pulp or the flesh.
ORIGIN OF PALM KERNEL
When it comes to natural resources, the oil palm tree is possibly the richest tree on the planet.
Elaeis guineensis, the oil palm tree, evolved in West Africa's tropical rainforest but swiftly migrated to Asia and America. The palm fruit and leaves are the tree's most economically valuable parts (elements). The oil palm tree is endowed with numerous valuable resources, one of which being palm kernel oil. Yeah, the palm kernel(fruit from the oil palm tree) is one of the resource of this valuable tree. The kernel oil varies from palm oil in that it is derived from the fruit's kernel via cold pressing, whereas palm oil is extracted from the fleshy section of the fruit.
It also has different physical and chemical qualities than palm oil. It has a light amber hue, a high melting point, and a fruity aroma, whereas palm oil is bright red and viscous.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF PALM KERNEL OIL
Palm kernel Oil is well-known for its healing properties in Nigeria's southern and eastern regions, and it has a long list of health benefits.
Saturated fats, particularly lauric and myristic acid, are abundant in palm kernel oil. It is free of cholesterol and trans fats.
It has a longer shelf life than other vegetable oils and remains stable at high cooking temperatures. Below are other health benefits of palm kernel oil.
Boost Hair Growth: When applied to the hair, palm kernel oil not only boosts new hair growth but also fosters thicker hair and prevents hair fall.
Furthermore, the conditioning provided by palm kernel oil nourishes the hair and makes it stronger than usual.
Soft Skin: Palm kernel oil also aids in the softening of the skin without making it appear greasy.
As a result, most soap and cream manufacturers continue to include its oil as an ingredient in their products.
Palm kernel oil helps to relieve itchy skin and ragged cuticles, and it has a long list of other advantages that are often neglected.
Remedy For Convulsion: Palm kernel oil has been shown to be an effective treatment for children's convulsions in alternative medicine. Its therapeutic powers assist in combating the effects of epilepsy attacks while also providing significant relief.
Maintaining Blood Pressure: According to studies, it also aids in the regulation of the free flow of blood from the heart to the rest of the body's organs. As a result, it assists in maintaining blood pressure under control, reducing the risk of hypertension.
African Medicine For Cold and Cough Relief: A mixture of palm kernel oil and garlic is a good cure for treating the common cold in babies and toddlers in African medicine.
To help relieve cold and minimize mucus, apply the mixture to the chest, forehead, and back. It works quickly and is quite inexpensive.
OTHER USES
Palm kernel oil is one of the ingredients used in making organic cream and soap.
Since it contains a sharp melting point and also stable in a room temperature it's used in producing margarine and ice cream.
Palm kernel oil are used to fuel lamp in the olden days.
- Palm kernel oil, with its peculiar strong odor, aids in the prevention of body odor when applied to the skin on a daily basis.
FINAL WORDS
The palm tree is arguably the richest tree on the planet, and it grows primarily in Nigeria's eastern and southern regions. The eastern (Igbos) make a tasty soup with palm kernel oil. Furthermore, the planting of this tree provided a source of passive income for many local farmers.
REFERENCES
Source 1
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_kernel_oil
Source 2
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/51851706
Thank you