The health benefits of bitter almond essential oil : can be attributed to its properties as a vermifuge, febrifuge, bactericidal, germicidal, fungicidal, sedative, anesthetic, aperient, diuretic, anti-intoxicating, anti-carcinogenic, and antispasmodic susbstance.

Fifty percent of the oil obtained from bitter almond (scientifically known as amygdalus communis var. amara) contains three basic components, namely, benzaldehyde, glycoside amygdalin and hydrogen cyanide (also known as hydrocyanic acid or prussic acid) while the other fifty percent contains mono-unsaturated fatty acids and other components similar to those in sweet almonds. It is very difficult to distinguish bitter almonds from their sweet counterparts just by appearance, except that the bitter almonds are broader and shorter in shape than sweet almonds.

Bitter almond oil contains some deadly poisons and should therefore be used with the utmost care. Most of its medicinal uses are restricted to external applications and internal applications, when needed, are done in very low doses. A slightly excessive amount can be fatal. This oil cannot be called nutritious to health.

Health Benefits of Bitter Almond Essential Oil

Bitter almond oil has various health benefits. Some of these are explained in greater detail below.

Febrifuge:

 Since ancient times, the bitter elements (e.g. quinine) have always been used as febrifuges. The reason behind it might be that all bitter elements contain alkaline compounds and are more or less toxic in nature. This toxicity and bitterness effectively inhibits the growth of infections from bacteria, protozoa, or viruses in the body, thereby reducing fever. For the same reason, bitter almond oil in very low doses has also been in use as a febrifuge for chronic fevers. Such applications, although beneficial from the point of view of lessening fever, can have their own adverse and toxic effects on the body.

Vermifuge: The acute bitterness and the poisonous nature of bitter almond oil are very effective in killing intestinal worms, but again, it should be administered in very low potency.

Antispasmodic: Bitter almond oil is also said to possess antispasmodic properties.

Bactericidal, Germicidal, Fungicidal and Antiviral: The two components of bitter almond oil, hydrogen cyanide and benzaldehyde, are extremely toxic to animal life as well as to bacteria, germs, fungi and viruses. Therefore, it can be efficiently employed as a bactericide, antiviral and fungicidal substance. It can be used in curing ailments associated with infections from virus, germs and fungus.