Avocado

Avocado
Persea americana Mill.
Lauraceae Family

Description of Avocado

Avocado is an evergreen tropical tree, 33–66 ft (10–20 m) tall, with smooth gray bark. Leaves are entire, ovate or ellipsoid, 4–8 in (10–20 cm) long, 1.2–4 in (3–10 cm) wide, dark green. Flowers are greenish-yellow, 0.2–0.4 in (5–10 mm), gathered in panicle inflorescences. Fruits are single-seeded drupes, 2–8 in (5–20 cm), 1.8–21 oz (50–600 g), pear-shaped, oval, or spherical; skin is dark green to black-purple; flesh is light green or creamy-yellow, oily, with a nutty-buttery flavor. Cultivars: ‘Hass’, ‘Fuerte’, ‘Ettinger’. Flowering occurs in February–April, fruiting in September–November.

 

Distribution and Ecology of Avocado

Avocado originates from Central America (Mexico, Guatemala). It is cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions: the United States, Brazil, Australia, Israel, South Africa, and parts of Spain. It requires a warm climate (68–86°F or 20–30°C), well-drained slightly acidic soils (pH 5.5–6.5), and irrigation of 5–8 gal (20–30 L) per tree every 7–10 days. It is sun-loving, needing 6–8 hours of sunlight. Propagated by seeds or grafting. Yield: 110–440 lb (50–200 kg) per tree. Care includes nitrogen and potassium fertilization (0.53–0.71 oz/m² or 15–20 g/m²) and protection from wind, aphids, and spider mites. It is used in ornamental landscaping.

 

Raw Materials from Avocado

Raw materials include fruit flesh (fructus Persea americana), skin, seeds, and leaves (folia Persea americana). Flesh is harvested from ripe fruits (soft, easily separated from skin) in September–November. Skin and seeds are dried at 86–104°F (30–40°C), yielding 10–15%. Leaves are collected during growth (spring–summer), dried at 86–104°F (30–40°C), yielding 15–20%. Quality standards: flesh free of rot; skin and seeds clean; leaves green; moisture <12%. Store in airtight containers (flesh: 2–3 weeks at 39–43°F or 4–6°C; dried skin/seeds/leaves: 1 year). Flesh has a nutty aroma and oily taste.

 

Chemical Composition of Avocado

Flesh contains water (70–75%), fats (15–30%), proteins (1.5–4%), carbohydrates (1.5%), vitamins A (0.15 mg/100 g), B1 (0.07 mg/100 g), B2 (0.13 mg/100 g), B6 (0.26 mg/100 g), C (10 mg/100 g), E (2 mg/100 g), K (21 µg/100 g), folic acid (81 µg/100 g), and minerals (potassium 485 mg/100 g, magnesium 29 mg/100 g, phosphorus 52 mg/100 g). Leaves contain essential oil (0.5%), bitters, and abacatin. Seeds contain persin and tannins. Skin contains flavonoids. Flesh calories: 160–200 kcal/100 g (fresh), 400–500 kcal/100 g (dried).

 

Uses and Benefits of Avocado

Avocado has antioxidant, hypocholesterolemic, anti-inflammatory, and anthelmintic effects. The flesh is used in traditional remedies for anemia, gastritis with low acidity, hypertension, atherosclerosis, and diabetes. Leaves and skin are used in infusions for digestion and helminth infections. Avocado oil is effective for eczema, scleroderma, and arthrosis. Recommended dose: 3.5–7 oz (100–200 g) of flesh daily or 1.7 oz (50 ml) of leaf infusion daily. Consult a healthcare professional before medicinal use.

 

Precautions for Using Avocado

Consuming >7 oz (200 g) of flesh daily may cause stomach discomfort due to high fat content. Spoiled or damaged flesh may contain pathogens, leading to food poisoning. Seeds and skin contain persin, toxic in high doses (>0.35 oz or 10 g daily), so their infusions and decoctions require strict dosing. Store juice or puree at 39–43°F (4–6°C) for no longer than 24 hours. Limit children aged 3–12 to <1.8 oz (50 g) of flesh daily. Prolonged use of leaf or skin infusions (>2 weeks) requires medical supervision. Wash fruits thoroughly to remove pesticides.

 

Contraindications for Using Avocado

Avocado is contraindicated for allergies to Lauraceae, acute liver diseases, pancreatitis, gastritis with high acidity, acute stomach ulcers, pregnancy, lactation, and children under 3 years. Seeds and skin are contraindicated for children under 12 and pregnant women due to persin.

 

Medicinal Recipes with Avocado

1. Leaf infusion for gastritis. Steep 0.35 oz (10 g) dried leaves in 6.8 oz (200 ml) boiling water for 30 minutes, drink 1.7 oz (50 ml) twice daily before meals for 7–10 days.
2. Skin infusion for helminths. Steep 0.35 oz (10 g) dried skin in 6.8 oz (200 ml) boiling water for 1 hour, drink 1.7 oz (50 ml) twice daily for 5–7 days.
3. Oil for skin. Apply 0.34 oz (10 ml) avocado oil to affected areas (eczema, dryness) for 20 minutes, rinse, twice weekly.
4. Seed infusion for digestion. Steep 0.18 oz (5 g) ground seeds in 6.8 oz (200 ml) boiling water for 1 hour, drink 1 oz (30 ml) twice daily for 7 days, with caution.

 

Cosmetic Uses of Avocado

Avocado moisturizes and nourishes skin due to its fatty acids and vitamin E.

1. Moisturizing mask. Mix 0.7 oz (20 g) avocado flesh with 0.34 oz (10 ml) honey, apply to face for 15–20 minutes, rinse with warm water, twice weekly.
2. Cleansing scrub. Mix 0.7 oz (20 g) flesh with 0.18 oz (5 g) ground seeds and 0.35 oz (10 g) honey, massage face for 5 minutes, rinse, once weekly.
3. Mask for dry skin. Mix 0.7 oz (20 g) flesh with 0.34 oz (10 ml) olive oil, apply to face for 15 minutes, rinse, twice weekly.
4. Facial toner. Mix 1.7 oz (50 ml) flesh juice with 1.7 oz (50 ml) water, wipe face 1–2 times daily for 10 days.

 

Culinary Uses of Avocado

Avocado flesh is used raw in salads, purees, and sauces. Avoid cooking due to bitterness.

1. Guacamole. Blend 7 oz (200 g) flesh with 1.8 oz (50 g) tomatoes, 0.35 oz (10 g) garlic, 0.34 oz (10 ml) lemon juice, and salt, serve with bread.
2. Salad. Mix 3.5 oz (100 g) flesh with 1.8 oz (50 g) cucumbers, 1.8 oz (50 g) tomatoes, and 0.68 oz (20 ml) olive oil, serve chilled.
3. Smoothie. Blend 3.5 oz (100 g) flesh with 3.4 oz (100 ml) yogurt and 0.35 oz (10 g) honey, serve chilled.
4. Avocado toast. Mash 1.8 oz (50 g) flesh, spread on toast, sprinkle with 0.18 oz (5 g) salt and pepper, serve immediately.

Tips: Store ripe fruits at 39–43°F (4–6°C) for up to 2–3 weeks, dried skin/seeds/leaves for up to 1 year. Choose fruits with soft flesh, free of blemishes.

 

Other Uses of Avocado

It is used in ornamental landscaping and for shade in gardens.