Carrier Oils For Aromatherapy

• Cherry Kernel Oil 

• Latin Name
  Prunus avium, Prunus cerasus
• Family: Rosaceae
• Etymology
  Avium is from the Latin and means 'of birds', Prunus is the Latin name for the plum tree and ceraus is the Latin name for cherry: Prunus Cerasus is the sour cherry.
• The Plant and its Environment
• 
  Cultivated cherries are derived from two species,the sour cherry Prunus cerasus (ancestor of the morello cherry) and Prunus avium, which grows wild in Britain and gives rise to the sweet cherries.
• The Oil
• Cherry kernel oil is emollient and stable.
• Persic oil is the fixed oil obtained from the kernels of various species  (ie apricots, peaches, cherries, plums) by cold expression The french pharmacopia has a monograph for refined Persic oil (Bruneton 1995).
• Method Of Extraction
  The oil is expressed from the fruit stones of varieties of Prunus cerasus.

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Principal Constituents

Physical Properties

• Cosmetic Uses
• 
  Cherry stone oil imparts a long lasting emollient effect on the skin and gives a high gloss to the hair; used in emulsified and anhydrous conditioners.
• A rich natural emollient which spreads well, although benefits and uses are not yet well understood, but its use generally is as for almond oil.
• Cautionary Notes
  Cherry stone oil under occlusive patch is reported to be non-irritating to rabbit skin.
• References: Bruneton J 1995 Pharmacognosy, phytochemistry, medicinal plants. Intercept. Andover p.126
• References: Carrier Oils for Aromatherapy Massage: Len Price with Ian Smith & Shirley Price.