Avocado (Persea americana) Research

Latin Name: Persea americana

Family: Lauraceae

Avocados are high in monounsaturated fat, and good for cholesterol levels.  Avocado oil is super nourishing for skin, especially dry skin and psoriasis.

RESEARCH

SKIN HEALING

• In a randomized study of 49 patients, avocado oil combined with vitamin b12 was effective against atopic dermatitis.  From:  Stücker, M., Pieck, C., Stoerb, C., Niedner, R., Hartung, J., & Altmeyer, P. (2004). Topical vitamin B12—a new therapeutic approach in atopic dermatitis—evaluation of efficacy and tolerability in a randomized placebo‐controlled multicentre clinical trial. British Journal of Dermatology, 150(5), 977-983.
• A cream containing vitamin B12 and avocado oil was effective in treating psoriasis.   From:  Stücker, M., Memmel, U., Hoffmann, M., Hartung, J., & Altmeyer, P. (2001). Vitamin B12 cream containing avocado oil in the therapy of plaque psoriasis. Dermatology, 203(2), 141-147.
• A cream with vitamin b12 and avocado oil helped reduce plaque psoriasis and was safe for long term use in 13 patients.  From:  Stücker, M., Memmel, U., Hoffmann, M., Hartung, J., & Altmeyer, P. (2001). Vitamin B12 cream containing avocado oil in the therapy of plaque psoriasis. Dermatology, 203(2), 141-147.
• The sterolin constituent of avocado oil is a good source for softening the skin and reducing age spots while the lecithin and potassium components are also very nourishing to the skin.  From: Kulkarni, S. S., Bhalke, R. D., Pande, V. V., & Kendre, P. N. (2014). Herbal plants in photo protection and sun screening action: an overview. Indo American Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, 4(2), 1104-1113.
• The humectants in avocados are also very healing to the skin. From: Sagiv, A. E., Dikstein, S., & Ingber, A. (2001). The efficiency of humectants as skin moisturizers in the presence of oil. Skin Research and Technology, 7(1), 32-35.
• Avocado oil was shown to be a good ointment for wound healing in rats. From:  Nayak BS, Raju SS, Rao CV. (2008).  Wound healing activity of Persea americana (avocado) fruit: A preclinical study on rats. J Wound Care. 17:123–5.

CHOLESTEROL

• In a small study, avocado oil helped reduce cholesteral levels, especially in those with mild hypercholesterolemia.  From:  López, R. L., Frati, A. M., Hernández, B. D., Cervantes, S. M., Hernández, M. L., Juárez, C., & Morán, S. L. (1996). Monounsaturated fatty acid (avocado) rich diet for mild hypercholesterolemia. Archives of medical research, 27(4), 519-523.
• A diet high in monounsaturated fat showed lowering serum lipid levels in 12 women with type two diabetes.  From:  Lerman-Garber, I., Ichazo-Cerro, S., Zamora-González, J., Cardoso-Saldaña, G., & Posadas-Romero, C. (1994). Effect of a high-monounsaturated fat diet enriched with avocado in NIDDM patients. Diabetes care, 17(4), 311-315.
• A compilation of research showed the following herbs to have a hypolipidemic effect:  yarrow, onion, garlic, dill, celery, burdock, oats, barberry, cabbage, chili pepper, safflower, chicory, chickpea, bitter orange, orange, guggul, coriander, cranberry, melon, pumpkin, artichoke, ginseng, eugenol, schelelecht, ginkgo, soy, walnut, apple, nutmeg, red yeast rice, miswak, evening primrose, basil, bulacy, orchis, avocado, plantain, blond plotitago, green bean, purslane, black cherry, pomegranate, milk thistle, brinjal, tomato, tamarind, thea, thyme, fenugreek, bilberry, grape, ginger, and corn.  From:  Rouhi-Boroujeni, H., Rouhi-Boroujeni, H., Khoddami, M., Khazraei, H. R., Dehkordil, E. B., & Rafieian-Kopaei, M. (2017). Hypolipidemic herbals with diuretic effects: A systematic review. In Biol. Sci (Vol. 8, pp. 21-28).

ARTHRITIS

• In a study of 164 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee or hip, an avocado/soybean supplement taken over 6 months reduced symptoms.  From:  Maheu, E., Mazières, B., Valat, J. P., Loyau, G., Loët, X. L., Bourgeois, P., … & Rozenberg, S. (1998). Symptomatic efficacy of avocado/soybean unsaponifiables in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee and hip: a prospective, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, multicenter clinical trial with a six‐month treatment period and a two‐month followup demonstrating a persistent effect. Arthritis & Rheumatism: Official Journal of the American College of Rheumatology, 41(1), 81-91.

By: Kathy Sadowski

Updated:3/7/18