Botanical Name: Prunus armeniaca L.

Process: Hydrodistilled Essential Oil, FFPA (Free from Prussic Acid)

Plant Part: Nut/Kernel

Cultivation: Conventional

Use: Natural Perfumery. Always dilute.

Note: Top to Middle Note

Aroma: Sweet, nutty, intense aroma of almonds reminiscent of marzipan and almond extract, with strong notes of cherry.

Contraindications: NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION; please see Safety Considerations below. 


Overview

Bitter Almond Oil - Prussic Acid-Free

Nutty-sweet with notes of cherry, our Bitter Almond essential oil is a delightful addition to any perfumer’s aromatic palette. Unlike its cousin the Sweet Almond and the extract of almonds, Bitter Almonds naturally contain traces of prussic acid (also known as hydrogen cyanide) making them ultimately lethal to ingest and a good thing to avoid. Our Bitter Almond essential oil is steam distilled from the crushed and pressed kernels of the apricot fruit1 (it can also be extracted from the kernels of cherries, plums and peaches2), then rectified to remove the toxic prussic acid. However, this oil is still NOT SUITABLE FOR INGESTION in any way, and must be used with caution as it can cause severe skin irritation in sensitive individuals.


Benzaldehyde, the primary constituent in Bitter Almond essential oil, has a long history of commercial use in flavors and fragrances. In 1832, the early days of aroma chemistry, enterprising chemical companies sought cheaper imitations of plant-derived molecules. Soon after, benzaldehyde was synthesized in a series of fairly sophisticated and creative ways in repeated attempts to avoid detection, leading one chemist to observe, "…the crooks are encouraging the advancement of science."!3 True Bitter Almond essential oil oxidizes very rapidly upon exposure to air and will form crystals of benzoic acid right before your eyes, therefore we recommend keeping this oil refrigerated and tightly capped.


One of the classic gourmand aromas, Bitter Almond oil smells like marzipan (almond paste) heaven - rich, intense and very food-like. It lends a sweet, nutty, cherry-like top note to natural perfumes, and a seductive and alluring nuance to men’s colognes.4 And although it smells like something you’d like to include in your cake batter recipe, this oil is for perfumery only and not for consumption. If fact, we strongly suggest that you keep Bitter Almond essential oil well out of the reach of children who may mistake it for something edible and try to eat it. It smells that good!


For information regarding the use of Bitter Almond in perfumery, please see:


"Almonds for TuBishvat," Ayala Moriel, February 2015, http://ayalasmellyblog.blogspot.com/2015/02/almonds-for-tubishvat.html 

"An Aroma Chemical Profile - Benzaldehyde," G S Clark, Perfumer & Flavorist, May/June 1995, 20: 53-60, http://media.allured.com/documents/9523.pdf 

Aromatic Profile: Sweet, nutty, intense aroma of almonds reminiscent of marzipan and almond extract, with strong notes of cherry.


Appearance: Pale, transparent, mobile liquid.


Use: Natural Perfumery.


Blending Suggestions: Dilute and add drop by drop to your blends until the desired affect is achieved.


Blends Well With: Amyris, Balsam of Peru, Butter, Cocao, Coffee, Jasmine, Osmanthus, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Tonka Bean, Vanilla, Ylang Ylang. Bitter Almond essential oil blends well "with anisic-balsamic types of odor, for example in lilac and other sweet florals."5 This oil has no fixative value because it is highly volatile6 thus the aroma fades very quickly, but the addition of vanillin [as found in Vanilla Absolute and Vanilla CO2] "may greatly improve the tenacity and stability of the oil."7


Safety Considerations: None known. Old or oxidized oil should be avoided, therefore refrigeration is highly recommended. PLEASE NOTE: this product is FFPA (Free from Prussic Acid) for your safety; has GRAS status (Generally Recognized as Safe).8 NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. Dilute before using. A patch test should be performed before use for those with sensitive skin.


1 Industry communication.


2 Arctander, Steffen.  Perfume and Flavor Materials of Natural Origin, 1960, p. 51.


3 http://media.allured.com/documents/9523.pdf 


4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XF_KCTYkoPg 


5 Arctander, Steffen. Perfume and Flavor Materials of Natural Origin, 1960, p. 53.


6 Tisserand, Robert and Rodney Young. Essential Oil Safety, 2nd ed., 2014, pp. 191-2.


About Our Products:

All our products are 100% natural artisanal grade Pure Oils

No Additive, No Fillers, just pure Oils. 

All oils are subjected to rigorous quality control standards and are not tested on animals.

An unwavering commitment to the highest quality products and a deep connection to our Indian heritage, has allowed us to bring you artisanal High-grade essential oils at amazing prices.

We are a small family run business and essential oil distillation has been in our family for generations.  

Unlike others, we have painstaking taken and provided actual pictures of all of our products so you can see exactly what you are buying, although it may differ slightly due to monitor and browser settings.

We will be listing many thousands of items over the coming months.   If you would like something and we do not have it listed then please do not hesitate to contact us.

How Best To Use These Oils:

There are many, many ways to use Essential Oils, here are just a few...

Oil Burners - One of the most popular ways is using them with an oil burner. Adding a few drops to your oil burner will create a lasting beautiful aroma, you can also mix oils to create your own smell.

Bath - Adding a few drops of our oils to your bath creates a heavenly, natural and pure aroma, and is proven to be a highly effective way get the most our of essential oils.

Massage - Our oils are strong, so please do not use them directly on your skin. Adding a few drops to a carrier oils (such as Grapeseed oil), and then massaging it on to your forehead, palms, neck, back, feet or other affected areas work wonders.

Making your own products - Many of you like create your own soaps, candles and beauty products, and these oils are perfect for that. They are of therapeutic grade, natural, pure and all hand bottled in the UK, making them ideal for you creative souls out there who make your own products.

Others - Other popular ways apart from the above include, de-humidifiers, diffusers, on your pillow at night, meditation, car air fresheners and in steam / saunas.

Warning:

* For external us only. Do not use essential oils internally. 
* Do not apply directly to skin (sensitive skin); always dilute with carrier oil. Do a small test first.
* Keep out of reach of children.
* Avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes.
* Avoid pro-longed exposure to direct sunlight.
* Use only pure essential oils
* Store essential oils and carrier oils properly to avoid degradation and rancidity. 
* Do not use on children, or when pregnant or while using medication.
* An essential oil should not be used instead of seeing a doctor for medical advice.
* Never self-prescribe and if in doubt please ask your doctor. 
* If an allergic reaction occurs or you get the oil in your eyes then wash away the oil with water and then seek medical attention straight away. 

Use by:  We suggest using your oil within 12 months of purchase. Some will last longer and some scents mature with age.

Please note: Eden Essential Oil accepts no liability for misuse of any of our products.