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Ximenia Seed Oil Supplier
Afrika Botanicals is a leading supplier of Ximenia Seed Oil (Ximenia americana).
Supplier of Organic and Conventional Ximenia Seed Oil
⦁ Ximenia Seed oil is sourced from Zimbabwe
⦁ Southern Africa is the natural home of the Ximenia americana tree
Your trusted supplier of Ximenia Seed Oil
Contact Afrika Botanicals for Ximenia Seed Oil.
Ximenia Seed oil is cold-pressed annually. We welcome business owners and entrepreneurs from South Africa to contact us for further information on our Ximenia Seed Oil.
Why deal with us for Ximenia Seed Oil supply?
⦁ Experienced in supplying Ximenia Seed Oil.
⦁ We understand the export and import process and will assist with all documentation.
Origin and Geographic Distribution
Ximenia americana, commonly known as tallowwood, hog plum, yellow plum, sea lemon, or pi’ut (Chamorro), is a small sprawling tree of woodlands native to the tropics. This drought-resistant, mostly solitary tree grows at low altitudes in many habitats, including savannahs, dry woodlands, dry forests, and coastal areas or on riverbanks. It has a wide geographical distribution.
The leaves are oval-shaped, bright green, and have a strong smell of almonds. Flowers are pale in colour. Fruits are lemon-yellow or orange-red in colour. A spiny shrub of African savannas that bears edible fruit has a long history of medicinal value for traditional healers and western culture.
Introduction to Ximenia
The genus Ximenia (Olacaceae) consists of eight species of small trees and thorny shrubs of which two occur in Southern Africa. Ximenia americana is a thorny bush-forming shrub or small tree that can grow up to seven m high.
Oil Characteristics and Properties
Ximenia oil is beneficial because of its content of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids (about 99%), which makes it stable for oxidation. Experiments have shown that the oil is helpful for dry skin prone to early senescence. It is beneficial to improve the functionary of the sebaceous tissues.
The yield of oil from the seed is high and has been applied as an emollient, conditioner, skin softener, body, and hair oil, and included as an ingredient in lipsticks and lubricants. In addition, it is used in soap manufacturing and as a vegetable butter.
Moisturising Abilities
It can be included in lotions. Its ximenynic acid-rich formulation is said to have beneficial effects on skin ageing.
Analysis of the seed oil revealed: that the major components were oleic, hexacos-17enoic (ximenic), linoleic, linolenic, and stearic acids, together with smaller quantities of triacont-21-enoic (lumequic), octadec11-en-9-ynoic (ximenynic), arachidonic, erucic, and nervonic acids were shown to be beneficial upon topical application.
Fatty acids with more than 22 carbon atoms, termed long-chain fatty acids, are rarely naturally found. Ximenia oil contains long-chain fatty acids with up to 40 carbon atoms.
Studies
Scientific studies on the biological activities of the seed oil are not available. However, studies on ximenynic acid have revealed improvement in blood circulation. Blood perfusion was increased in a group of female volunteers (n=40) by applying a cream containing 0.5% ximenynic acid. The most significant effect of a 50% increase was seen after 60 min, especially in cellulitic areas where blood perfusion is usually very low.
The fatty acid composition of Ximenia oil
Fatty acids
Saturated
Myristic 14:0 Unknown
Palmitic 16:0 3.31
Stearic 18:0 4.0 – 15.4
Unsaturated
Oleic 18:1 54.0 – 72.1
Linoleic 18:2 1.34 – 10.0
α Linoleic 18:3
Linolenic 18:3 10.31
Erucic 22:1n9 3.46
Arachidonic 20.4 0.60
Ximenia Seed Oil additional information and benefits
Methods of Ximenia Seed Oil Extraction
Ximenia fruit is wild harvested. The trees grow in the wild and are not cultivated. Ripe fruits are harvested when the fruit is in season (which is considered a short harvesting time between February and March). Farmers remove the fruit pulp and juice and use it for their consumption and the seeds are then sold to the manufacturer. Cold pressing is done mechanically using an oil press.
⦁ Potential for Community Development
There is potential for large-scale harvesting of fresh fruit and seeds but the demand for the oil at this stage does not warrant such methods. This leads to important job creation and poverty alleviation projects in rural areas. The fruit is wild collected and sold to producers of pulp and oil. This valuable income is generated and directly assists these rural communities. Potential for planting orchards to farm as a crop will depend on future demand.
This plant is of economic importance, having both nutritional and medicinal value. The leaves can be dried and crushed to make powder to break a fever. They are also used to substitute for spinach and eaten by animals such as giraffes. An infusion made from the root is used to remedy diarrhea and abdominal pain, mental illness, fever, and bilharzia.
Benefits of Ximenia Seed Oil & General Attributes
The oil helps preserve the integrity of the cell wall, has a restructuring effect, and has an anti-ageing effect on the skin. Ximenia oil softens and revitalizes the skin naturally.
It is beneficial because of its content of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids (about 99%), which makes it stable for oxidation.
⦁ Moisturising and soothing dry skin
⦁ Non-drying characteristics
⦁ Improves the function of sebaceous glands
⦁ Excellent for anti-ageing
Afrika Botanicals is a leading supplier of African botanical prodducts and natural oils.