Almonds (Prunus dulcis)
Medicinal Profile of
Almonds (Prunus dulcis)
Almonds are both a nourishing food and a medicinal agent, prized for their dense nutrition, stabilizing oils, and gentle demulcent qualities. Traditionally used in Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Ayurvedic medicine, almonds strengthen the nerves, lubricate dryness, and support the skin, heart, and digestion. They are moistening, nutritive, and stabilizing, making them especially suited for dry and depleted patterns. Almond oil has long been valued both internally and topically for skin health, constipation relief, and low-grade inflammation that stems from depletion.
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👉 Tastes describe the initial impression a food or herb leaves on the tongue, and they reveal its deeper actions in the body, shaping digestion, circulation, and tissue response.
Sweet (nutritive, grounding) – Builds strength and replenishes reserves.
Slightly Bitter (skins) – Enhances digestion, gently clears stagnation.
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👉Qualities describe the felt nature of a substance or practice, and how it acts in the body beyond nutrients or chemistry.
Moistening – Restores lubrication to dry tissues and membranes.
Nourishing – Provides dense protein, fats, and minerals for rebuilding.
Stabilizing – Steadies inflammation and cools heat through oils and antioxidants.
Grounding – Calms nervous agitation, promotes satiety and strength.
Oily/unctuous – Moistening, lubricates dryness, supports tissue repair.
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(per 100 g raw almonds)
Calories: ~575 kcal.
Fat: 49 g (32 g monounsaturated, 12 g polyunsaturated, 4 g saturated).
Carbohydrates: 22 g (12 g fiber, 3.9 g sugar).
Protein: 21 g.
Vitamin E: 25.6 mg (171% DV).
Riboflavin (B2): 1.1 mg (85% DV).
Magnesium: 268 mg (67% DV).
Calcium: 264 mg (26% DV).
Potassium: 705 mg (20% DV).
Also provides iron, zinc, phosphorus, and folate. -
Raw almonds: Eaten whole, ideally soaked and peeled for digestibility.
Almond milk: Soaked almonds blended with water; cooling and soothing.
Almond oil (sweet): Used internally for dryness and externally for massage, skin care, and hair. f you want to use almond oil as medicine internally (e.g., for dry cough, constipation, or nutritive support), it must be food-grade cold-pressed sweet almond oil.
Almond flour/meal: Nutritive, used in baking or therapeutic diets.
Indicated Patterns by Affinity
👉 Indicated patterns describe the functional state of the body and its organs and/or tissues, showing whether they are dry, atrophied, too damp (pressure), stagnant, lax, inflammed, sluggish, tense or underactive. The Primary Indicated Pattern is the main state where this remedy works best. Secondary Indicated Pattern(s) are the patterns that often develop over time when the primary state is left unaddressed. The primary pattern must be supported first, as this allows the secondary patterns to naturally ease or resolve.
👉Affinities are the organ systems and tissues where the remedy acts most strongly.
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Dryness (Primary Indicated Pattern) – When digestive tissues lack lubrication and resilience.
Examples: Constipation with dry stools, Dry mouth or throat during digestion, Irritated gut lining worsened by dryness.Atrophy (Secondary Indicated Pattern) – When digestive tissues are thinned, undernourished, or weak.
Examples: Poor assimilation leading to nutrient depletion, Sensitive gut lining from lack of protection, Weakness in digestive reserves. -
Dryness (Primary Indicated Pattern) – When lack of lipid nourishment leaves nerves overstimulated or poorly insulated.
Examples: Irritability from deficiency, Nervous tension from low reserves, Poor resilience to stress without calming fats.Atrophy (Secondary Indicated Pattern) – When nervous tissues weaken from long-term undernourishment.
Examples: Cognitive fatigue, Nervous exhaustion after stress, Low adaptability from depleted nerve tissue.Inflammatory (Secondary Indicated Pattern) – When oxidative or stress-driven inflammation irritates nervous tissue. Examples: Brain fatigue with oxidative flare, Stress-induced neuroinflammation, Nervous irritability with heat overlay.
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Atrophy (Primary Indicated Pattern) – When vessels and heart tissue need nutrient-rich fats and minerals for resilience. Examples: Fragile capillaries or vessel weakness, Low HDL balance, Fatigue from nutrient depletion.
Inflammatory (Secondary Indicated Pattern) – When low-grade inflammation irritates blood vessels or circulation. Examples: Endothelial irritation from oxidative stress, Cardiovascular inflammation linked to poor lipid balance, Chronic vascular heat.
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Dryness (Primary Indicated Pattern) – When skin lacks oils and protective moisture. Examples: Dry, rough skin, Cracked lips or hands, Dull complexion without luster.
Atrophy (Secondary Indicated Pattern) – When skin thins or loses elasticity due to lack of nourishment.
Examples: Premature wrinkling, Fragile skin prone to damage, Poor wound healing.Inflammatory (Secondary Indicated Pattern) – When oxidative or dryness-linked inflammation affects the skin.
Examples: Inflamed eczema patches in dry constitutions, Redness with premature aging, Irritated skin linked to nutrient deficiency. -
Dryness (Primary Indicated Pattern) – When dry membranes lead to irritation or weak expectoration. Examples: Dry cough, Scratchy throat with dryness, Weak lung lubrication.
Atrophy (Secondary Indicated Pattern) – When respiratory membranes lose resilience and nourishment. Examples: Fragile lung tissue, Poor recovery after dryness-related irritation, Long-term sensitivity to dry air.
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Atrophy (Primary Indicated Pattern) – When liver tissue needs support from fat-soluble vitamins and antioxidant protection. Examples: Low fat-soluble vitamin absorption (A, D, E, K), Poor detox resilience, Nutrient depletion leading to low reserves.
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👉 Medicinal actions describe the specific ways a food influences organ systems and body functions.
Digestive System
Demulcent – Soothes and coats irritated digestive lining.
Stool Softener (oil) – Relieves dry constipation.
Digestive Buffer – Oils protect against excess stomach acid.
Nervous System
Nervine Restorative – Nourishes nerves with fats and B vitamins.
Calming Support – Grounding and stabilizing for nervous agitation.
Cardiovascular System
Cardiovascular Tonic – Protects vessels, supports healthy circulation.
Cholesterol Modulator – Lowers LDL and supports HDL through monounsaturated fats and phytosterols.
Integumentary System (Skin & Hair)
Emollient – Moisturizes and softens dry skin.
Skin Tonic – Supports elasticity, reduces irritation.
Hair Conditioner – Oil strengthens and nourishes hair.
Respiratory System
Respiratory Demulcent – Eases dry cough and throat irritation.
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👉 Constituents are the natural compounds in a food that give rise to its actions in the body.
Monounsaturated fatty acids (oleic acid, palmitoleic acid).
Polyunsaturated fatty acids (linoleic acid, alpha-linolenic acid).
Proteins & amino acids (including arginine).
Vitamins: Vitamin E (rich), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), folate, biotin.
Minerals: Magnesium, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, iron, copper.
Polyphenols (especially in almond skins): Flavonoids and tannins.
Phytosterols (beta-sitosterol).
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Whole nuts (raw/soaked): 1st–2nd Degree – nutritive, cumulative.
Almond milk: 1st–2nd Degree – soothing, gentle.
Almond oil (internal): 2nd Degree – stronger demulcent and stool-softening action.
Almond oil (topical): 2nd–3rd Degree – effective emollient and skin restorer.
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May enhance effects of cholesterol-lowering drugs.
High manganese content may interact with certain antibiotics (quinolones).
Generally safe in food amounts.
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Safe as food and medicine.
Avoid bitter almonds (contain amygdalin, cyanogenic glycoside → toxic). Only sweet almonds are edible.
Excess intake may aggravate weight issues due to high calories.
May aggravate those with nut allergies.
