2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29
Marula / Marula, Scelerocarya birrea / is an exotic woody plant. Lettuce is one of the botanical treasures of Africa. The fruit of the tree has been a staple in South Africa, Botswana and Namibia since ancient times. In South Africa it is protected.
Description of Marula
They are deciduous trees up to 18 m tall. They belong to the Smradlikovi family. They grow on different types of sandy, clay soils. Their bark is rough, cracked. The leaves are elliptical, medium-sized. The colors are red. The ripe fruits are yellow in color. They can be found from Ethiopia to KwaZuli-Natal. They bloom from September to November and bear fruit from January to March. The fruits are edible and very high in vitamin C. Many animals eat the fruits and leaves of the tree.
History of Marula
The history of the lettuce tree goes back thousands of years. Archaeological evidence shows that the tree was a source of nourishment for 10,000 years BC. Not only fruits but also lettuce nuts are rich in minerals and vitamins. Legends abound with many examples of the use of wood, bark, leaves, fruits and other parts of it. However, it remains best known as a fruit that drives elephants crazy.
Benefits of lettuce
The skin of the fruit can be boiled to drink as a coffee substitute. The wood is soft and is used for carving, the inner bark can be used to make ropes. Archaeological excavations have shown that lettuce fruit is used as a source of food from ancient times by the tribes of Africa.
The bark can also be used to obtain a light brown paint. There are small tasty walnut-like nuts that are rich in protein. The oil is used as a skin cosmetic.
Their green leaves are consumed to relieve heartburn and improve digestion. The bark contains antihistamines and is also used for inhalation by soaking in boiling water and inhaling the steam.
Part of the bark, mixed with cold water, helps with dysentery and diarrhea, as well as snake bites. The bark is also used as a prophylaxis against malaria. It has proven antiparasitic and antimicrobial properties. The resin can be used as an ink.
Culinary use of lettuce
The fruit of the tree is very juicy and fragrant and is the size of a small plum. It can be eaten fresh and contains a lot of vitamin C, pectin, citric acid, antioxidants. They can also be used to make jams, jellies, juices, pastries, syrups and alcoholic beverages such as Amarula. It can also be canned. The seeds are used in the preparation of various types of biscuits.
Interesting facts about Marula
The trees are dioecious, which means that they have a certain sex. This fact contributes to the belief among some communities that bark infusions can be used to determine the sex of the unborn child. If the woman wants a son, she uses parts of a man's tree, and for a daughter - of a woman's tree. If a child is born of the opposite sex, it is said that he is very special because he is able to oppose the spirits.
Lettuce oil
Have you used argan oil, coconut oil and jojoba oil, but have you never tried lettuce oil? Well, this oil has many benefits for your beauty, so it's worth a try.
Lettuce oil comes from the fruit of the African tree of the same name and is so appreciated by beauty experts because it is unrefined organic oil obtained by cold pressing, rich in antioxidants, nutrients and vitamins.
Women in some parts of Africa have learned from their mothers how to make lettuce seed oil by hand and make a living from it.
Lettuce oil is obtained from the fruits of lettuce trees in southern Africa, where only climatic conditions provide the perfect environment for this tree to produce high quality fruit. These fruits contain four times more vitamin C than oranges. For centuries, the African people uses lettuce oil to protect your skin and hair in severe weather conditions, but also during religious rituals.
Research by scientists in recent years has confirmed the benefits of lettuce oil. This oil has soothing properties on the skin, is easily absorbed and is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin. Lettuce oil also contains fatty acids that protect the skin and hair from contaminants, slow down the aging process, stimulate cellular activity and deeply moisturize tissues.
Chemical composition of lettuce oil
Lettuce oil consists mainly of monounsaturated fatty acids and natural antioxidants. Its composition consists of: oleic acid in a ratio of 70-78%, linoleic acid 4-7%, alpha linoleic acid (0, 1-0, 7%), palmitic acid (9-12%), stearic acid (5-8 %) and several other fatty acids.
Lettuce oil also contains significant amounts of flavonoids, catechins and sterols.
Why and how to use lettuce oil for the skin? Lettuce oil is suitable for all skin types, as it is easily absorbed into the skin and is not greasy at all.
Moisturizes the skin without giving a sticky or oily appearance. A few drops of lettuce oil are enough for the skin, neck and décolleté, doc.ro reports.
It softens the skin by moisturizing it and is easily absorbed, so it can be used on areas with thickened skin such as elbows, cracked heels or knees.
This oil cures acne and erases scars. The antimicrobial properties make this oil ideal for treating skin problems.
As for how you can use lettuce oil to moisturize your skin, there are several options from which you can choose the one that is right for you. First of all, you can use lettuce oil in the evening as a moisturizer for the night. You can then add a few drops of lettuce oil to the day cream or foundation for extra hydration.
Why and how to use lettuce oil for hair? This oil protects the hair from ultraviolet radiation, but also from excessive heat. Therefore, it is good to apply before sun exposure, as well as before heat aggression.
Deeply moisturizes the hair, giving a beautiful, healthy and vibrant look to your mane.
It fights the electrification of the hair and thus helps you shape it more easily.
Use a few drops lettuce oil on the hair, before sun exposure or before styling with a hair straightener or other hot air tools. Add lettuce oil to your conditioner or moisturizing hair mask that you use weekly.
Linoleic acid and oleic acid, present in high concentrations in lettuce oil, limit the loss of water from skin tissues, possessing nourishing and moisturizing properties. They make lettuce oil effective for the eye area, but also for the skin, neck and décolleté. The skin will regain its smooth, supple and velvety appearance.
For dry and chapped lips, lettuce oil can be a real balm. Easily penetrates deep layers and moisturizes.
Its antimicrobial, soothing and anti-inflammatory effect is recommended for the treatment of skin imperfections such as acne. Reduces redness, moisturizes and is an effective product against bacteria that contribute to the formation of acne, whiteheads or blackheads.
Applying lettuce oil twice a day, you can prevent stretch marks and hyperpigmentation. Properly nourished, the skin will retain its elasticity and smoothness. Used for recent stretch marks, lettuce oil helps reduce scarring and specific redness.
An effective moisturizer, lettuce oil stimulates cell regeneration and thus accelerates scar healing. It prevents the appearance of eczema, but also naturally heals the skin affected by them. Soothes inflammation, itching and redness specific to psoriasis.
Lettuce oil nourishes and moisturizes the nail plate, dry cuticles and finger skin. It is a very effective product for soft, brittle or damaged nails due to the use of various cleaners or nail polishes.
Hair mask with lettuce oil
Necessary products:
Lettuce oil - 10 ml
Fractionated coconut oil - 10 ml
Ylang-ylang essential oil - 5 drops
Massage the scalp and hair along the entire length with this mixture. Leave on for 30 minutes and then shampoo as usual.
How to use extra virgin lettuce oil for nail care?
- Apply 1-2 drops of oil directly on the nails and cuticles and massage until completely absorbed, every night before bedtime;
- Include lettuce oil in various preparations or add it to hand cream;
Homemade mask for brittle nails
Necessary products:
Lettuce oil - 10 ml
Lemon essential oil - 5 drops
In the evening, before going to bed, apply a few drops of this mixture on the cuticle of each nail and massage.
