Pracaxi oil

The women of the Amazon have been using pracaxi oil since time immemorial to fight stretch marks and prevent wrinkles. For the traditional Indian peoples, it is even an integral part of hair and scalp care, because it makes the skin supple and gives the hair shine. And not only that: Pracaxi oil has a prophylactic effect against mosquitoes and is an indispensable and reliable protection for the people of the Amazon against the mosquito “Aedes aegyptis”, which can transmit dangerous diseases such as yellow fever and dengue fever. Even today, the indigenous peoples bring the collected seeds in woven baskets by the kilo to the village, where they are painstakingly pressed by hand. Not least, however, because pracaxi-oil is indispensable in the local cuisine: the oil is very popular with the people of the Amazon as a cooking oil because it is relatively stable in terms of its fatty acid composition.

In contrast, pracaxi oil is not yet very well known here. Yet it is rich in valuable ingredients and very suitable for many applications.

The extraction and ingredients of pracaxi oil

The Pentaclethra macroloba tree thrives in the tropical regions from Nicaragua down to the Amazon basin. It can reach a height of 35 metres and a trunk diameter of 130 centimetres. The tree bears very pretty purple flowers and the heartwood has an intense reddish-brown colour. Pentaclethra macroloba forms numerous elongated pods, each containing up to eight seeds.

Pracaxi oil is obtained from the seeds of the Pentaclethra macroloba tree by cold pressing. It contains 19 percent behenic acid, 50 percent oleic acid (omega-9), linoleic acid, alpha-linolenic acid, lignoceric acid, stearic acid, lauric acid, palmitic acid and myristic acid. Hardly any other oil can demonstrate such a high concentration of fatty acids. Vitamins and minerals (especially calcium, iron, magnesium, and manganese) are also abundant in the oil.

However, the behenic acid content is particularly impressive: Pracaxi oil surpasses the well-known ‘behenic oil’ (Moringa oleifera), which “only” has a five percent behenic acid content, by almost four times! Pure pracaxi-oil has a light to yellow colour and smells pleasantly and discreetly of nuts. At lower temperatures, it solidifies like butter, but this does not reduce its quality. To produce 0.7 litres of pracaxi oil, about 35 pods of the Pentaclethra macroloba tree are needed.

Pracaxi oil in cosmetics

Pracaxi oil has caring as well as strengthening and healing effects. It is basically suitable for two areas of application: for the skin and the hair. In skin care products, it stimulates cell renewal, has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties and helps with mycosis and acne. Stretch marks and scars lighten, discolourations such as sun and age spots fade. Mature skin is optimally supplied with intensive moisture. Pracaxioil contributes to an effective stimulation of collagen and hyaluronic acid synthesis. It is also very well suited as a natural support for eczema, psoriasis, and pigment disorders.

In hair care, the oil gives softness and shine, it strengthens and nourishes the hair from root to tip, protects it from harmful influences and can even lighten it if desired. Pracaxi oil also facilitates combing after shampooing and prevents painful pulling. It can reduce hair loss, strengthens the sensitive hair roots and hair follicles and even makes hair grow faster. The condition of the scalp is visibly and noticeably improved, and the hair looks much healthier and more vibrant overall. High-quality products with pracaxi oil offer effective protection against split ends, dry and brittle hair is optimally moisturised. In addition, the oil is able to regulate the work of the sebaceous glands, so that the formation of annoying dandruff also decreases.

Pracaxioil is characterised by an extraordinarily high viscosity and is therefore an excellent basis for high-quality creams, lotions, skin care oils, massage oils, hair treatments and shampoos.

What to look for in Pracaxioil

It is important that only cold-pressed pracaxi oil is used, as it still contains all the valuable ingredients completely and unaltered. The pure oil is sensitive to light and must therefore be stored in a dark container, otherwise it could become rancid. It is not resistant to bacteria and microorganisms and should be stored in a cool place if possible.

PROFILE Pracaxi oil

INCI: Pentaclethra Macroloba Seed Oil

CAS number: 866620-18-0

Production: by cold pressing

Classification: Seed oil, vegetable

Colour: light to golden yellow

Saponification number: 150-190 mg KOH/g

Main constituents: behenic acid (about 19 percent), lignoceric acid, linoleic acid, palmitic acid

Fields of application: for skin and hair care, as massage oil, in the anti-ageing field and for moisturising the skin, against inflammations, stretch marks and acne, as a natural alternative to surfactants and cationic agents

Pracaxi oil, a natural and very effective multi-talent

Pracaxi oil from the seeds of the Pentaclethra Macroloba tree has the highest percentage of behenic acid (19 percent) and is an equally gentle and effective ingredient for sophisticated formulations in skin and hair care. Whether skin care oil, cream, shampoo or hair treatment, Pracaxi oil offers very versatile and flexible applications. If you are interested in a high-quality formulation with Pracaxi oil, Cosmacon will of course be happy to advise you!

Literature:

Antimicrobial activity of amazonian medicinal plants.

Oliveira AA, Segovia JF, Sousa VY, Mata EC, Gonçalves MC, Bezerra RM, Junior PO, Kanzaki LI.Springerplus. 2013 Aug 5;2:371