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Common almond (almond). Legends, myths, symbolism, description, cultivation, methods of application

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Content

1. Photos, basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism
2. Basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism
3. Botanical description, reference data, useful information, illustrations
4. Recipes for use in traditional medicine and cosmetology
5. Tips for growing, harvesting and storing

Common almond (almond nut), Amygdalus communis. Photos of the plant, basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism

Basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism

Sort by: Amygdalus

Family: Pink (Rosaceae)

Origin: Southwest Asia

Area: Common almond is common in Iran, Italy, Spain, the USA and other regions with a temperate and subtropical climate.

Chemical composition: Almonds contain proteins, fats, carbohydrates, minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, and vitamins B and E.

Economic value: Almond nuts are used in the food industry for the production of confectionery, chocolate, dairy products and other products. They are also used in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. In addition, almonds are very nutritious and beneficial for human health, as they contain many vitamins and minerals, and also help lower blood cholesterol levels.

Legends, myths, symbolism: In ancient Greek mythology, the almond was associated with the goddess Kirke, the goddess of the earth and fertility. It was said that the almond was a symbol of fertility and prosperity, and was used in religious ceremonies associated with the worship of the goddess Kirke. In the culture of the Middle East and North Africa, almonds are associated with the concept of wealth and prosperity. It is used as a symbol of wealth and abundance, and is often mentioned in the literature and poetry of these cultures. In the culture of Europe and North America, almonds are associated with the concept of health and longevity. Almonds are said to have health benefits such as improving memory and reducing the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Symbolically, almonds are associated with the concept of fertility, prosperity and wealth. It also symbolizes the idea that small beginnings can lead to big results, as the almond is a small nut that yields a big harvest. Almonds are also associated with the concept of longevity and health, and are often used in magic and esotericism to attract health and prosperity.

Common almond (almond nut), Amygdalus communis. Description, illustrations of the plant

Common almond, Amygdalus communis L. Botanical description, history of origin, nutritional value, cultivation, use in cooking, medicine, industry

Shrub or small tree up to 9 m high, with spreading crown. The leaves are oblong, pointed at the top, serrated along the edge, similar to cherry. The flowers are large, white or pink, located on short branches. The fruit is an oblong drupe with a thin leathery pericarp, greenish or brownish-gray, pubescent. The stone is oval, spongy. There are two types of common almonds: bitter and sweet; kernels in wild forms are bitter, in cultivated forms they are mostly sweet. Blooms in March-April.

Almonds are native to Asia Minor and North Africa. In the wild, it is distributed throughout the Mediterranean coast. Large thickets of wild-growing almonds are found in the mountains of the Kopetdag and the Western Tien Shan, in the Transcaucasus. Introduced into culture for many millennia BC. Grown in the Mediterranean. Approximately in the VIII-IX centuries, he came to Europe. Currently cultivated in many countries with a warm climate. In the middle latitudes, in addition to wild-growing bitter almonds, there are small plantings of sweet, resistant to cold.

Almond is a drought-resistant, light-loving, heat-tolerant plant. Withstands frosts down to -25 ° C, but spring frosts are often detrimental to flowers. Prefers deep, well-aerated, high-lime soils and does not tolerate wet, acidic and saline soils at all. Propagated by seeds. Biennial seedlings are grafted (budded). Seedlings of bitter or sweet almonds, sometimes peach, cherry plum or plum are used as rootstock. Grafted seedlings are planted in spring or autumn. At least three varieties are planted in the garden to ensure cross-pollination. Their care is normal. The plant begins to bear fruit in the third or fourth year after planting. Full fruiting begins at the age of 10-12 years. The fruits ripen in July. Fruits with a cracked outer shell are harvested, cleaned of the pericarp and dried for three to four days in the sun. Almond kernels can be consumed both dried and fresh.

Almond seeds contain a large amount of fatty oil, proteins and sugars; there are enzymes, vitamins of groups B, E. Amygdalin glycoside was found in bitter almonds, which gives the kernels a bitter taste and an "almond" smell.

In folk medicine, the healing properties of the almond kernel are known. Use it with sugar for anemia, anemia, insomnia, cough. The oil obtained from almond kernels, when taken orally, has a laxative effect, and in the form of an emulsion, it has an enveloping effect. It is used externally for rubbing as a cooling, soothing and analgesic agent. The oil is widely used in medicine for the preparation of injectable solutions of fat-soluble vitamins, hormonal preparations, etc.

Sweet almonds are widely used in the food industry. It is added to cakes, cookies, pastries, chocolate, sweets. Jams and candied fruits are made from the pulp of the fruit. The kernels of bitter almonds are used only after heat treatment, since the glycoside amygdalin contained in them loses its toxic properties.

Oil or seeds ground in water are used to make almond milk, which has an anti-inflammatory and refreshing effect on the skin. Bitter almond oil is used to make the finest soaps.

Cake after oil extraction is used as animal feed, shell - for the production of activated carbon; dense and strong wood is valued in carpentry and turning.

The almond tree is very decorative. Long before the leaves appear, it is covered with beautiful white-pink flowers with a pleasant aroma. Almonds are also known as an early honey plant.

Authors: Kretsu L.G., Domashenko L.G., Sokolov M.D.

Common almond (almond nut), Amygdalus communis L. Botanical description, distribution, chemical composition, features of use

The rose family is Rosaceae.

Shrub (rarely a small tree) 4-6 m tall, very branched. Shoots of two types: elongated vegetative and shortened generative.

Leaves are lanceolate. Flowers solitary with white or light pink petals, numerous stamens and one pistil.

The fruit is a dry, velvety-pubescent oval single-drupe, the dry pericarp easily separates from the stone when ripe. Bones ("nuts") of the same shape as the fruits themselves, covered with small dimples, sometimes with grooves, 2,5-3,5 cm long, weighing 1-5 g.

In the wild, it is found in Central Asia, Afghanistan, Iran, South Transcaucasia, Asia Minor.

Industrial culture is most developed in Italy, Spain, USA, Israel, to a lesser extent in Iran, Turkey, Indonesia, France, Greece.

The kernels of the seeds of cultural sweet almonds contain up to 40-60% fatty oil, about 30% proteins, mucus, vitamins - riboflavin, ascorbic acid, dyes - carotene, carotenoids, lycopene, etc., as well as essential oil (0,5- 0,8%), which determines their smell, and traces of amygdalin glycoside.

Fatty oil contains glycerides of oleic (80%) and linoleic (15%) acids. The oil obtained from unshelled sweet almond seeds contains small amounts of linolenic and myristic acids, which are not present in the oil obtained from the shelled seeds.

Seeds of wild-growing bitter almonds are poisonous, which is due to the presence of amygdalin glycoside, during the splitting of which hydrocyanic acid, benzaldehyde and glucose are released.

Whole almond kernels do not smell. When cut, they acquire a specific almond flavor.

Sweet almond seeds are used for food fresh, roasted, salted, and also as a spice in the preparation of various dough products, sweets, chocolate, liqueurs, giving them a delicate taste. It occupies a special place in Chinese and Indonesian cuisine, in which nuts, almonds and citruses are added to a large number of dishes, especially rice, fried poultry, various types of meat, etc.

Roasted salted almonds are a good addition to drinks.

Oil is obtained from almond seeds by cold or hot pressing. In medicine, oil extracted by cold pressing is used.

Almond oil is used in the food, perfumery, and pharmaceutical industries. It serves as a solvent for injections of camphor, the basis for therapeutic and cosmetic ointments (softens the skin and has an anti-inflammatory effect), it is prescribed orally, especially for children, as a laxative, and in the form of emulsions - as an enveloping and emollient.

Sweet almond kernels were used in folk medicine for anemia (mixed with sugar), diabetes mellitus, bronchial asthma, insomnia, migraine, as an antitussive, for convulsions; almond oil was used internally as a sedative for heart diseases, as an anti-inflammatory for pneumonia and throat diseases, for flatulence, as a means of increasing appetite; externally - from bedsores.

The kernels of bitter almonds are inedible, fatty oil is obtained from them. Oil purified from the poisonous amygdalin glycoside is used to make the best varieties of soap.

Cake is poisonous, in the past it was used to prepare medicinal bitter-almond water, prescribed as a sedative, tonic and analgesic. Essential oil is distilled from it for fragrance of perfumery products.

Almond shells are used to flavor and improve the color of cognacs, liqueurs, wines, and activated charcoal is made from it.

Valuable early spring honey plant, gives nectar and a lot of pollen. Used as a drought-resistant rootstock for peaches and apricots.

Almonds can be planted as an ornamental soil protection plant.

Authors: Dudchenko L.G., Kozyakov A.S., Krivenko V.V.

Almond ordinary. Botanical description of the plant, areas of growth and ecology, economic importance, applications

A small tree or bush up to 8 m high of the rose family. The fruit is a drupe with a dry pericarp that usually falls off when ripe. Already in ancient times, almonds were cultivated in the Mediterranean countries. According to the taste of the kernels, sweet and bitter forms of the plant are distinguished. The bitter form predominates among wild plants. Bitter almond grows wild in Turkestan (in the Kopetdag mountains), in southern Armenia, in the Western Tien Shan; sweet almonds are not found in the wild. Almonds are successfully cultivated mainly in Central Asia, in the Crimea, in the Transcaucasus.

The kernels of cultivated sweet almonds are a valuable food product. They are eaten fresh, fried, salted, used in the manufacture of confectionery, chocolate. The kernels of the seeds contain up to 40-60% fatty oil, about 30% proteins, mucus, vitamin B2, sugars, 0,5-0,8% essential oil, amygdalin glycoside.

Oil is obtained from almond seeds by cold or hot pressing. For medical needs, oil extracted by cold pressing is used. Almond oil is used in the food, perfumery, and pharmaceutical industries. It serves as a solvent for injections of camphor, the basis for therapeutic and cosmetic ointments (softens the skin and has an anti-inflammatory effect), it is prescribed orally, especially for children, as a laxative, and in the form of emulsions - as an enveloping and emollient.

Sweet almond kernels were used in folk medicine for anemia (mixed with sugar), diabetes mellitus, bronchial asthma, insomnia, migraine, as an antitussive, for convulsions; almond oil was used internally as a sedative for heart disease, earache, as an anti-inflammatory for pneumonia and throat diseases, flatulence, as a means of increasing appetite, externally - for bedsores.

The kernels of bitter almonds are inedible, fatty oil is obtained from them. Oil purified from the poisonous amygdalin glycoside is used to make the best varieties of soap. The cake is poisonous, in the past it was used to prepare medicinal bitter-almond water, prescribed as a sedative and analgesic. Essential oil is distilled from it, suitable for fragrance of perfumery products.

In case of poisoning with amygdalin hydrolysis products (benzaldehyde, hydrocyanic acid), slowing of the pulse, general weakness, vomiting, headache, shortness of breath are observed, convulsions may occur, in severe cases, paralysis of the respiratory center with a fatal outcome.

Authors: Dudnichenko L.G., Krivenko V.V.

Common almond, Amygdalus communis. Methods of application, origin of the plant, range, botanical description, cultivation

The genus Almonds (Amygdalus L), Rosaceae family (Rosaceae Juss.), includes 40 species. In industrial production, one species is common - the common almond (Amygdalus communis L).

Almond fruits are used mainly in the food industry, green - in salted and candied form for jam, a mature kernel - in the confectionery industry. From the cake left after squeezing the oil from the kernel, flour is made, which is used for the manufacture of medicines and in confectionery. The cake is also used to feed animals.

The almond culture has become widespread in the subtropical and mountainous regions of the tropical zone and is the main nut-bearing species, which ranks first in terms of area and gross harvest of fruits. Leading countries for the production of almonds: USA, Spain, Italy, China, Iran, Tunisia, Greece.

The primary focus of morphogenesis is located in Western Asia and adjacent areas, including the Mediterranean and Central Asia. In the same areas, the culture of almonds arose many centuries before our era.

Tree or shrub up to 10 m high, durability up to 100 years. The root system of almonds is deep, drought-resistant and salt-tolerant.

Among fruit crops, almonds are one of the most demanding for light. Enters fruiting on the 3rd-4th year after planting, the productive life span of trees is 30-50 years, the yield is 1-2,5 t/ha.

The seed is a kernel, sweet, with traces of bitterness or bitter, covered with a skin. The nut kernel contains up to 50% fat used in the pharmaceutical industry.

In Central Asia and the Caucasus, in addition to the common almond, Bukhara almond and Vavilov almond are cultivated on a limited scale.

Authors: Baranov V.D., Ustimenko G.V.

So few almonds. Featured article

Indians have long believed in almonds. It's not that they really cared about its nutritional value. They are attracted to the other side. It is believed that the almond kernel carries the secret of unfading youth, saves from diseases, and the most unpleasant ones. As we will see below, they had some reasons for this.

And although the almond tree is not a local breed, but brought from our south, the Indians are trying to breed it throughout the country and wherever possible. Alas, luck very rarely accompanies gardeners. Sometimes success is only partial. And only in a few cases the labor of the farmer is rewarded.

This is not to say that this unpretentious plant completely refuses to grow on Indian soil.

Grow grows, but bears well in rare places. Even in "almond" areas, you need to choose special, favorable places. The best lands - the upper valleys of Balochistan - went to Pakistan in 1947. Remained only in Kashmir. In general, the kingdom of almonds is a narrow strip between 30 and 40 degrees north latitude, but even here dry air and a frost-free spring are needed.

Wild almonds, however, in nature choose the right places for themselves. It also protects the fruits well from encroachments by running and flying animals. Anyone who wants to eat his fatty bone (in the core - 60 percent of the oil) must remember that it contains the poisonous glucoside amygdalin. Once in the stomach, amygdalin decomposes into essential oil and the terrible poison hydrocyanic acid. A warning is the bitter taste of almonds (bitter). It is difficult to say whether bitter almonds are dangerous for all animals.

For humans, the limits of danger are known. 10 nucleoli are fatal for a child, 60 for an adult.

A risky experiment was undertaken during the war by the livestock breeders of Uzbekistan. When there was nothing to feed the cattle, they mixed bitter almond cake into the swill, which was considered completely unsuitable because of hydrocyanic acid. And nothing. Not a single cow was poisoned. And recently, doctors are beginning to look more closely at amygdalin.

This glucoside, as experts think, can help in the fight against malignant tumors. Perhaps its action is explained precisely by hydrocyanic acid? After all, many poisons, lethal in large doses, are useful in small ones. We are treated with strychnine. But before they poisoned wolves and rats.

Well, as for other healing, then from what only bitter almonds were not used! The ancient Ibn Sina treated them with blockage of veins and kidney stones. Almond milk relieved joint pain and cured cough. To this day, freckles are expelled with a decoction of the roots.

Of course, they plant more often not bitter, but sweet almonds. This one may not be as useful, but it is safe.

There are 100 million of its trees in the world (we also count in pieces). The first violin is played by the countries of ten-degree almond latitude - Italy and Spain. Each has 40 million trunks. What is left for the rest of the world?

France used to have a lot. But the almond is a resident of the mountains. And the French were drawn from the mountains to the warm lowlands. The almonds were out of work. They began to uproot and plant a vine. The harvest has decreased several times. I had to take emergency rescue measures.

While almonds are also not so much. Connoisseurs have calculated that the number of trunks should be increased thirty times! True, to plant them, you need a lot of free land. And there are not so many of those in our south.

It helps that it is the land that is good for nothing else that is suitable for almonds. Bare mountain slopes. In Uzbekistan, three-quarters of the mountains are like that. This is where the almonds will take root.

True, sweet-fruited will not grow on every mountain (as in India). But you can also plant wild, Bukhara. It is local, and the oil from the nucleoli can be knocked out in the same way as from the cultivated one.

Author: Smirnov A.

Common almond (almond nut), Amygdalus communis. Recipes for use in traditional medicine and cosmetology

Ethnoscience:

• From cough: mix 10-15 grams of powdered almonds with 2 tablespoons of honey and take 1 teaspoon 3-4 times a day.
• From the foreclosure: pour 10-15 grams of powdered almonds with a glass of boiling water for 10-15 minutes. Strain and drink the resulting infusion once a day.
• For insomnia: Before going to bed, drink a glass of warm milk with powdered almonds and honey.
• For skin problems: mix almond oil with honey and apply on the skin. Leave on for 20-30 minutes, then rinse with warm water.
• Dandruff: Apply almond oil to your scalp and massage for a few minutes, then leave on for 30 minutes and rinse with shampoo.

Cosmetology:

• Mask for the face: mix almond oil with honey and aloe vera gel. Apply to face for 15-20 minutes, then rinse with warm water.
• Facial scrub: mix almond flour with honey and a little milk to make a thick paste. Apply to face and massage in circular motions, then rinse with warm water.
• Hair Mask: mix almond oil with burdock oil and apply to hair for 30 minutes, then rinse with shampoo.
• To strengthen nails: mix almond oil with vitamin E and massage your nails several times a week.
• Massage Oil: mix almond oil with essential oils (such as lavender or rosemary) and use for body massage.

Attention! Before use, consult with a specialist!

Common almond (almond nut), Amygdalus communis. Tips for growing, harvesting and storing

The common almond (Amygdalus communis) is a tall tree that is grown in the Mediterranean region and other temperate regions of the world.

Tips for growing, harvesting and storing almonds:

Cultivation:

• Almonds grow best in a sunny location in well-drained soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH.
• The best time to plant almonds is autumn or early spring. Plants should be planted at a depth of about 5 cm and at a distance of 4-6 meters from each other.
• Almonds prefer moderate watering, so they should be watered regularly, but not overwatered.
• In addition, plants need fertilizer. It is recommended to use organic fertilizers such as compost or humus.
• After planting and throughout the first year, prune almond trees regularly to ensure they develop properly and have a strong crown shape.
• Remove weeds regularly and provide good ventilation around the plant to avoid diseases and pests.
• Protect almond trees from frost, especially during the winter months.

Workpiece:

• Almond kernels can be eaten fresh or used in various dishes.
• To remove the husk from the kernels, you can use boiling water or roast the nuts in the oven.
• The kernels can be crushed and used as an ingredient in cakes, pies, candies and other foods.

Storage:

• Fresh almonds can be stored in plastic containers or bags in the refrigerator for several weeks.
• Toasted almonds can also be stored in plastic containers or bags in a cool, dry place for several months.

Almonds have many health benefits, including a high content of vitamins and minerals, as well as protein and fatty acids. It is used in cooking to create various dishes and confectionery.

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