The Nut called Candlenuts
Not like other famous nuts like Macadamia, Cashew, Hazelnuts, and many others. The fate of these creamy nuts -that in a glimpse look like Macadamia- are not meant to be for snacking. In fact, they are mostly used and consumed in tropical regions, primarily Southeast Asia and Hawaii, where they can grow very fast almost crazily forming a forest.
The Candlenuts are tough nuts! They look a bit wrinkled, cream-colored, and appear to be dusted with flour. The nuts have a very high oil content and because of this, in the old times, they were harvested for creating lamp oil or making candles.
And just like that, they easily named Candlenuts.
The tradition of using candlenuts as candles already had become part of old culture in West Sulawesi, Indonesia. They called this candle from Candlenut Palla Pallang.
They are pretty easy to make. First, ground the nuts until they are smooth and become a paste, then mix the paste with cotton. Second, slowly wind the mixture around with a thin piece of a bamboo stick. Be patient, and let them dry for a night. Voila! Then you get your candle to light up.
In some countries, candlenuts can be very expensive and they have much better use for getting clear skin and healthy hair rather than for making candles. After all, in Western countries, they are so expensive and a bit difficult to find. So use your candlenuts wisely.
But the nut is not the one thing that can be exploited
In fact, every part of this sturdy candlenut tree is widely used for cooking oil, spices, medicine, varnish and dyes, wood for building canoes, tattoo-making, and even musical instruments.
Candlenut is considered special in the nut world because it has a high content of Essential Fatty Acids (EFA). These components have skincare benefits to help reduce inflammation, strengthen the skin barrier, and have anti-microbial properties. Therefore, the oil is suitable for all skin types including sensitive and also acne-prone skin.
Candlenut oil belongs to the drying oil group.
It is probably one of the healthiest and most adaptable nuts among its other nut friends that mainly just serve a function as a snack. This magic nut, can be used for medicinal, cooking, and also skincare.
It contains plant compounds that have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects. Cooked or toasted, candlenut is commonly used as a thickener for curries or soup. But not only that, this candlenut oil has been used for ages for healthy skin, promoting hair growth, and treating various skin issues.
With this multitude of uses, it’s such a wonder why macadamia nut and hazelnut are more famous than this down-to-earth candlenut. Candlenut is more like Mary Poppin in the Nut World story and deserves a trophy. This is why Aleurites Moluccanus, which is the Latin name of candlenut, has become Hawaii’s official state tree since May 1959.
Candlenut is quite mildly toxic when eaten raw
But it contributes a lot to making a dish tasty. This is because candlenut gives off a distinctive savory taste and makes other spice blends. The role of candlenut is very important to make the dish thicker and creamier with a hint of nutty flavor.
Candlenut is a very common ingredient used in Indonesian or Malaysian food. They are mostly used in cooking as a thickener for curries and soups.
Can we use Macadamia as a substitute?
In Cinderella’s story, Macadamia is considered a stepsister. Although they might look alike, they are from a different genus. One from genus Aleurites and the other one from genus Macadamiae. It’s not a substitute for candlenuts.
Macadamia has a rich, buttery flavor with a subtle sweetness and creamy texture suited for snacking. On the other hand, Candlenut has a slightly bitter aftertaste and is toxic when eaten in its raw form. However, once it’s cooked and toasted, it gives a delicious nutty and tasty flavor to a dish.
Macadamia nuts pair well with chocolate and coffee, while candlenuts will make your chicken curry or rendang more appetizing than they should.
As a beauty regime, candlenuts are available in many forms
They can be in the form of soap, cream, or lotion. But candlenut oil is more popular because even though the nut has a high oil content, it absorbs to the skin quickly without being too oily.
The unique blend of Omega-3 and Omega-6 from candlenut oil can easily penetrate the skin’s deepest layers, give moisture, and form a protective barrier that guards against external damage. It also helps hydrate and soothe dry, irritated skin, while also improving skin elasticity and promoting a more youthful appearance.
Candlenut oil is known for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, making it an effective natural remedy for various skin conditions such as sunburns, eczema, psoriasis, dry skin, acne, scars, and stretch marks.
Because of its light scent and color, candlenut oil is good to be used as an essential oil carrier. You can mix up a few drops of your preferred essential oil with an ounce of raw candlenut oil and start to massage the skin. This way, you will not only moisturize the skin but also help the oils penetrate deeper and provide their benefits as therapeutic properties to both the body and mind. So what about hair?
We all know that commercial shampoos include the unavoidable presence of harsh chemicals.
Those chemicals creepily build up, block the scalp’s pores, and keep them from breathing and absorbing nutrients. They contribute to many side effects on hair such as an itchy scalp, dandruff, dryness, and even hair loss.
Added the damage that comes from external environment exposure like dust, sun, and wind can easily strip the natural oil from the hair. No wonder hair will look dry and lifeless.
So here is where Candlenut oil comes to the rescue.
Because the oil in Candlenut contains lightweight soothing agents, when the oil penetrates the scalp and hair, it helps the scalp to breathe properly and start absorbing all the important nutrients for hair growth.
This Omega-3 fatty in candlenut oil is essential for hair growth. It can reduce scalp itchiness and also help to prevent dandruff. When the oil penetrates the hair it will leave the hair looking healthy, shiny, and moisturized.
Candlenut oil contains essential vitamins that can block harmful chemicals and free radicals that weaken the hair and cause it to fall out. These vitamins A, C, and E work together hand in hand, to ensure the hair has all the nutrients needed for hair to grow healthy and strong.
When used regularly, candlenut oil can help to prevent hair loss and regrow hair even stronger and healthier than before.
Apply generously to your hair and scalp and massage it gently. Leave it for at least 20 minutes to absorb and wash it off with shampoo and conditioner. See how well it coats the hair shaft, moisturizes your hair follicles, and strengthens it.
Consider this candlenut oil as a household staple. It is one of the best plant-based beauty products, effective for skin and hair care, and when applied to the skin, it absorbs quickly without being too oily. Seriously nuts!