Candlenut oil is now widely packaged into over-the-counter products with various claims. Starting from nourishing the hair to enlarge the penis. But the truth about the actual benefits of hazelnut oil needs to be reviewed further.
The height of the candlenut tree which is also called hard fruit in Malaysia is on average 15-25 m. Candlenut oil itself is in a very hard skin which is as the name implies (candlenuts) It can be used as a base for making candles.
In Indonesia and Malaysia, candlenut is often used as part of cooking spices. Among Javanese people, candlenut is one of the basic ingredients for making peanut sauce as a vegetable companion. While in Hawaii, candlenut is used as fuel to power electricity.
Today, candlenut plantations are generally used to supply the candlenut oil industry. Each tree will produce at least 30-80 kilograms of candlenut which can produce oil with a volume of 15-20 percent of the weight of the hazelnut.
If unprocessed, raw candlenut can contain saponins and phorbol which are somewhat toxic. But on the other hand, candlenut oil itself generally does not cause irritation, even if it gets in the eyes. The oil is extracted from the hazelnut seed extract which in Hawaii is also called kukui (Aleurites molluccanus). This bright yellow oil is now sold freely in bottles and can be stored at room temperature for up to 6-8 months.
In the industrial sector, after modification, candlenut oil can be used as diesel fuel. In wood processing plants, candlenut oil can also act as a varnish or wood preservative, a mixture of paints, waterproof paper, heat-inhibiting materials, and a substitute for rubber. Meanwhile, for Hawaii residents, the benefits of candlenut oil are as fuel for oil lamps called hele po kukui, the axis is made of tapa cloth.
The Benefits of Candlenut for Health and Beauty
Before drawing conclusions about the benefits of candlenut oil for beauty and human health, let's first review its content. According to a study, hazelnut oil contains:
- Oleic acid (15%): is a fatty acid that is naturally found in animals and plants. Oleic acid is a major component of the emulsifying agent in soaps, softeners, and also a solvent in aerosol products. Oleic acid is a monounsaturated fat that is associated with the ability to reduce bad cholesterol in the body.
- Linoleic acid (40%): an omega-6 unsaturated fatty acid that is widely used as an ingredient in beauty products because it is believed to be anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, and reduce the risk of acne.
- Linolenic acid (less than 30%): which is one of the omega-3 fatty acids that the body needs to support growth and development.
No wonder many beauty and health products based on candlenut oil claim to provide various benefits. Here are some claims of the benefits of candlenut oil that are often mentioned.
- As a basic ingredient for making shampoo and soap.
- Candlenut oil can be applied to the skin with a combination of various aromas.
- Like castor oil, the benefits of hazelnut oil are also similar, which can be used as a conditioner hair.
- After processing, this hazelnut oil is also the main ingredient in commercial beauty products.
- Can be applied to the scalp as a hair growth and fertilizer.
- In some places, candlenut is also used as an ingredient in laxatives, drugs to treat bloody diarrhea, headaches, fever, and swollen joints.
The medical world is trying to prove the use of candlenut and candlenut oil, among others, in asthma, diarrhea, constipation, and baldness. However, these studies are still so few that they cannot be used as a benchmark for use in humans. Until now, candlenut or candlenut oil still requires further research on its benefits in humans to treat these diseases.
Candlenut oil used in industries other than beauty and health may have proven benefits so that it continues to be used. But the benefits of hazelnut oil in beauty generally have not been medically verified, so its use needs to be consulted with a doctor first, especially if you have certain health conditions.