Wheat Germ Oil

Wheat germ oil is a viscous, golden dark oil made from pressed wheat germ.

Special Precautions of Wheat Germ Oil

• Make sure that the wheat germ oil is fresh. At the health food store, inspect it closely and ensure that it has been stored properly. After purchasing, keep it in a cool, dark place, such as the back of a fridge.
• If not stored properly, wheat germ oil goes rancid within days. Rancid wheat germ is not only deficient in vitamin E, which is the main skin rejuvenator, but it has also been identified as a possible carcinogen. Smell the wheat germ oil to make sure that it is still fresh, or taste a drop of it. If it smells rotten or tastes bitter (wheat germ oil should taste nutty), then it is not good.

Health Benefits and Uses of Wheat Germ Oil

Wheat Germ Oil contains high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids, and vitamin E. In fact, it is one of the highest natural sources of vitamin E. It also contains vitamin K, phytosterols, antioxidants, and choline, but in lesser amounts.

• moisturizes and lubricate dry skin and hair : The oil is thick and slow to absorb so you can use wheat germ oil for skin – dry, irritated, dehydrated skin. Plus it works well for rough, cracking skin too. Use it for smooth elbows, knees, heels and anywhere else that needs a little extra moisturizing. That also includes dry, brittle hair.
• gets rid of harmful free radicals : Free radicals are little chemicals that form when you’re exposed to sunlight and other harsh environments (new evidence: your skin makes free radicals too!). These chemicals can damage skin cells, collagen, and elastin. And besides damaging them, they slow down collagen and elastin regeneration. Free radicals actually cause wrinkles and can increase your chance of getting skin cancer.
• repairs skin : Your body needs Vitamin E to repair and regenerate cells and tissue. That is a primary function of Vitamin E. So when you use wheat germ oil, you are feeding your skin with the vitamin it needs to repair itself. That means you can use the oil for cuts, burns, ulcers, sunburn, scars, stretch marks and dermatitis.
• Scar tissue : Due to its high level of antioxidants, nutrients, and essential fatty acids, wheat germ oil helps regenerate scar tissue.
• boosts skin collagen : Not only can Vitamin E stop free radicals from damaging collagen and elastin, it can also repair and regenerate them. You may know collagen helps skin stay firm, strong and elastic. Elastin helps maintain skin’s shape even after contorting or stretching. These are important for reducing stretch marks, wrinkles, and sagging. But there’s a problem. Several studies show when Vitamin E is applied to your skin it gets absorbed pretty quickly. But it doesn’t get very far into the skin. The highest concentrations of Vitamin E are within the first 0.005 millimeters of your skin. So lots of Vitamin E molecules can’t get to the collagen and elastin layers deep inside your skin. You can feed the collagen and elastin layers by eating wheat germ oil. You only need one tablespoon to meet your daily Vitamin E requirements. If you can’t stomach it, no worries. Just add more almonds, spinach, pumpkin seeds, avocados, or fish to your diet. These foods are rich in Vitamin E so they’ll definitely help keep your skin firm, strong and beautiful.
• reduces redness and inflammation : Vitamin E also has anti-inflammatory properties. So you can use wheat germ oil to reduce redness, irritation and dermatitis. Skin conditions caused by inflammation like psoriasis and eczema can also be eased with wheat germ oil. In fact, this in an Iranian study (2016) wheat germ oil was one of several local treatments used for psoriasis. Others mentioned were flaxseed oil, black seed oil, and violet oil.
• improves blood circulation : Quite a few studies show wheat germ oil improves blood circulation to your skin. Improved blood flow ensures more nutrients and oxygen get to your skin. And more toxins are taken away. That means your skin will look healthy, nourished and radiant. You will also experience improved blood flow if you apply the oil to your scalp. When this happens, more blood flow causes healthier and stronger hair follicles. And who doesn’t want strong, healthy hair?
• works better with aloe vera and Vitamin C : A small 2010 study looked at the moisturizing effects of herbal blends on six volunteers. It found wheat germ oil is very moisturizing on its own. But it was even more moisturizing when added to aloe vera. This is pretty useful for damaged, dry skin, sun burn, stretch marks, and wrinkles. Remember Vitamin E in wheat germ oil is a powerful antioxidant? When it reacts with free radicals it can form its own radical. So it needs another antioxidant to counteract it. Vitamin C does this job very well. That’s why so many skin care and beauty products contain both vitamins. They’re better together!

Main Combinations

• skin aging, wrinkles : Borage Seed Oil + Wheat Germ Oil + Goji Berry + Argan Oil + Resveratrol
• Dry and Dull skin : Brewer's Yeast + Wheat Germ Oil + Argan Oil