Useful properties of cottonseed oil and contraindications

The benefits of cottonseed oil are evident in the medical field and in cooking. To assess the properties of a product, you need to study its composition and main features.

How is cottonseed oil obtained

Cottonseed oil is obtained from cotton seeds. The manufacturing procedure looks like this:

• the raw material is cold pressed;
• heated and passed through a press again;
• the obtained extract is purified.

Initially, after pressing, the pomace has a dirty red tint and contains many harmful substances, therefore it is not used for food and for treatment. Refining is a rather complicated procedure and increases the consumption of raw materials during production. But at the same time, the oil remains affordable. Cotton is grown and harvested primarily for fluff, while seed treatment plays a secondary role anyway.

Light yellow refined cottonseed oil with a pleasant taste and aroma

Cottonseed oil composition

The benefits of cottonseed oil for the human body are determined by its chemical composition. The product contains:

• B vitamins;
• mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids;
• tocopherol;
• vitamin A;
• linoleic, stearic and palmitic acids.

The nutritional value of the product is about 890 calories per 100 g. However, the product is used in very small quantities, so it rarely has a strong effect on the figure and weight indicators.

Why is cottonseed oil useful?

Due to its high fat content, cottonseed oil requires careful use. But with proper use, it has a beneficial effect on the body. Namely:

• prolongs youth and slows down the aging process;
• strengthens the nervous system and prevents stress;
• has a positive effect on the state of blood vessels and on the work of the brain;
• prevents the deposition of cholesterol plaques and protects against atherosclerosis;
• regulates blood sugar levels in diabetes and normalizes metabolic processes;
• prophylactically protects against dangerous cardiovascular diseases;
• promotes healing of wounds and burns on the skin;
• reduces the risk of developing oncology;
• improves liver function and helps to remove toxins and toxins from the body;
• strengthens the immune system and increases resistance to viruses and infections.

In small quantities, cotton pomace serves as the prevention of excess weight. The product is responsible for the proper assimilation of nutrients from food and prevents excess fat deposition in the body.

Cottonseed oil reduces blood pressure and improves blood clotting

How to take cottonseed oil

Traditional medicine uses cottonseed oil to treat acute ailments and chronic ailments. The recipes are very simple and only require careful adherence to dosages.

For insomnia and stress

Cotton pomace has a calming effect, promotes the production of hormones responsible for positive emotions, and helps fight stress. With increased anxiety and insomnia, it is recommended to take 5 ml of the product in the evenings one hour before bedtime.

It is necessary to continue treatment for five days. In difficult situations, after that they take a break, and then repeat the course again.

With high cholesterol

Cottonseed oil regulates blood cholesterol levels and strengthens the vascular walls. For medicinal purposes, it is necessary to take 15 ml of the product for five days. They drink pomace on an empty stomach, but soon after taking it, they need to eat.

It is best to consume the product in the morning before breakfast. With problematic vessels, it is allowed to drink the remedy in courses, taking breaks for 3-5 days.

For insect bites

Cottonseed oil has good emollient and moisturizing properties when applied topically. With itchy insect bites, you can lubricate irritated areas with a product several times a day. Cotton plant will help remove redness and inflammation, relieve discomfort.

With a tendency to constipation

Cottonseed oil speeds up digestion, normalizes intestinal motility and prevents congestion. With frequent constipation, it is necessary to take on an empty stomach a large spoonful of the product each time before meals. Treatment is carried out for four days, in a month it is allowed to repeat the course twice.

Cottonseed oil removes toxins from the intestines and protects against the development of oncology

Slimming

When losing weight, cottonseed oil helps cleanse the body and accelerates the shedding of extra pounds. On a diet, it is recommended to add the product to a vegetable salad once a week or take it in pure form in an amount of 15 ml on an empty stomach.

For burns

The regenerating properties of cottonseed oil contribute to the restoration of the epidermis after burns. Usually this mixture is used:

• melt 30 g of wax to a liquid state;
• mixed with 200 ml of cottonseed oil;
• add egg yolk and beat slightly.

You need to lubricate the skin with the resulting product 2-3 times a day. In this case, it is allowed to use the composition only for those burns that have already passed into the healing stage. It is strictly forbidden to apply pomace to fresh lesions, it will interfere with heat removal and aggravate tissue damage.

With varicose veins

Cottonseed oil helps with varicose veins and makes the veins less visible. At the first symptoms of the disease, special baths are recommended for use. They are prepared like this:

• 5 liters of water with a temperature of about 37 ° C is poured into the basin;
• add two large spoons of cotton pomace;
• five drops of basil and 20 drops of cypress esters are added.

It takes 15-20 minutes to keep your feet in such a mixture, the procedure is repeated every evening. Healing baths relieve the feeling of heaviness and fatigue.

Cottonseed oil restores vein tone and further improves skin condition

Application in cosmetology

Cottonseed oil has valuable cosmetic properties. It is used to soften the epidermis and increase elasticity, to fight the first wrinkles and peeling of the skin. The product has a beneficial effect on curls, promotes their growth and increases volume, prevents hair loss.

For face and body skin

Most often, cottonseed oil is used to moisturize overly dry skin. For example, the following mixture is popular:

• a large spoonful of cotton is combined with an equal amount of liquid honey;
• add egg yolk;
• stir the product until smooth;
• spread over the face for 15 minutes.

Over time, the mask is washed off using soap and the skin is treated with a moisturizer.

Another recipe suggests preparing an anti-cellulite mixture based on cottonseed oil. Required:

• add 5 ml of grapefruit oil to 15 ml of cotton;
• add the same amount of lemon ether;
• slightly heat the mixture until warm.

The finished composition is applied with massage movements to problem areas and rubbed in for several minutes. You can also wrap your body with cling film for an hour to create a greenhouse effect and stimulate metabolic processes under the skin.

For hair

Cottonseed oil is a part of many commercial hair cosmetics - masks, balms, rinses. It makes the curls heavier, gives them additional volume and strength, and protects against excessive dryness. It is especially useful for frequent staining and using hair dryers and irons.

The easiest way is to add a few drops of cotton to your regular shampoo or conditioner. Also, if you wish, you can make restorative masks. For example, for weakened and brittle hair, the following composition will benefit:

• cottonseed oil is mixed with olive and peach oil, 10 ml each;
• add 2-3 drops of eucalyptus or mint ether;
• spreads the mixture over the entire length of the hair, paying particular attention to the roots and ends.

The mask is left for an hour, wrapping the head with a film and a warm towel. After the expiration date, the product is washed off and the hair is allowed to dry naturally.

It is recommended to use cotton for hair at least twice a week.

The use of cottonseed oil in cooking

Cotton pomace is used not only in medicine and beauty care, but also in cooking. It has a pleasant taste and smell, thanks to which it successfully replaces more familiar varieties.

Especially often, a cotton-based product is used:

• for cooking pilaf - the classic recipe recommends taking just this kind of oil;
• for dressing salads;
• for adding to pickled vegetables and sauerkraut;
• for cooking lecho and eggplant caviar.

Cotton gives a very interesting nutty flavor to the dough for pies and buns. Also, pomace goes well with radishes, cucumbers, beets and apples.

Contraindications

The beneficial properties and contraindications of cottonseed oil depend on the state of the body. In some conditions, it is better to refuse the product. It is not recommended to use it:

• with individual intolerance;
• with acute pancreatitis and stomach ulcer;
• with obesity;
• with severe hypotension;
• during breastfeeding.

If you are pregnant, consult your doctor before using cottonseed oil.

Before using the product externally, you need to apply a small amount of squeeze to the crook of the elbow and see if redness appears. Inside, cotton is also taken first in a volume of no more than 1/2 of a small spoon, and only in the absence of a negative reaction, the dosage is increased.

How to choose and store

You should buy cottonseed oil at a store or privately from a trusted supplier. You should not purchase a product from an unknown manufacturer, in containers without a label and date of manufacture:

1. Good quality cottonseed oil should be light yellow in color and clear. If the pomace is brown or brown, cloudy in appearance, then either the product has long ago deteriorated, or has not gone through the cleaning procedure and, in principle, is not suitable for food use.
2. Good cottonseed oil has a neutral taste and pleasant aroma with light nutty notes. The pungent smell and noticeable bitterness of the purchased pomace indicate that it has deteriorated.
3. There should be no white sediment on the bottom of the container with fresh cotton oil. It is not dangerous, since it consists of solid fats, but it speaks of a long-term storage of the product.
4. When buying cottonseed oil, pay attention to the production date. A high-quality product retains its useful properties for only a year, therefore, it is undesirable to acquire pomace with an expiring shelf life.

You can store cottonseed oil at temperatures up to 25 ° C in a dark place away from sunlight. A dry cabinet with cereals and spices is best suited for the product, but if desired, it is allowed to remove the container in the refrigerator.

You need to keep oil in a glass or plastic container; it is not stored in metal containers.

During storage, the lid on the container with squeeze must be tightly closed. Otherwise, the oil will oxidize from contact with air and the shelf life will be significantly reduced.

Which is healthier - cottonseed or sunflower oil

Cottonseed oil is considered more useful than sunflower oil, although it is less common on store shelves. It contains a huge amount of tocopherol and polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are important for the healthy functioning of the body and for the beauty of the skin. When frying, the pomace of cotton does not emit toxic substances and does not smoke.

At the same time, the advantages of sunflower oil include the fact that it can be used unrefined. Only refined cotton pomace is used.

Conclusion

The benefits of cottonseed oil are very diverse, the product is used in cooking, for beauty care, for the treatment of diseases. There are few contraindications for pomace, although it must be used with caution, not forgetting about the increased calorie content and fat content of the product.

Reviews of the benefits and dangers of cottonseed oil