Macadamia nut shell - beneficial properties and uses

Australian macadamia nuts are one of the most expensive products in the world. Previously, it could only be tasted in the homeland of the product, but now royal nuts are also imported to our country. In most cases, they are sold in shells, which constitute up to 50% of the weight of the product. This is not done for the sake of profit - the shell protects the kernels from oxidation, increases shelf life and improves taste.

After peeling the nut shells, a lot of shells remain, which have a pleasant aroma and sweetish taste. You don’t have to throw away macadamia peelings—they can be put to good use.

The article will tell you how to use macadamia nut shells correctly, what are their benefits and what are the possible harms.

Composition and calorie content of macadamia nut shells

Macadamia is one of the healthiest nuts on our planet. It contains vitamins, minerals, healthy fats and acids, and has many beneficial properties.

Of course, its kernels, which are eaten, are most useful. However, the shells, which many throw away, also contain many valuable substances.

These include:

• B vitamins;
• minerals; zinc, potassium, selenium, phosphorus, calcium, copper, molybdenum, iron;
• lingin;
• cellulose;
• ash;
• essential oils.

The percentage of water in the macadamia nut peel is equal to 10%. Moreover, it is so hard that it is extremely difficult to split it manually without special equipment.

This is interesting! Due to the content of a large amount of essential oils, macadamia shells burn well and for a long time.

The shell of the Australian nut has a light brown or chocolate hue. Like the core, it has a vanilla or chocolate flavor. If you taste the shell, the presence of a sweet characteristic will be noticeable.

In general, the nut shell has a spherical shape. At the nut processing factory, a neat cut is made into the shells. After breaking at the mark, the shell breaks into two halves.

The benefits and harms of husks

To understand what can be made from macadamia nut shells, it is worth familiarizing yourself with all the beneficial and harmful properties.

Beneficial properties of shell-based medicinal products:

1. They remove waste, toxins, and bad cholesterol from the body, eliminate the consequences of poisoning, and prevent the development of atherosclerosis and other vascular diseases.
2. Relieves inflammation in the body. Tinctures prepared on the shell help cope with diseases of the upper respiratory tract.
3. Accelerate tissue regeneration. When used externally, they not only accelerate wound healing, but also prevent their suppuration.
4. Improves intestinal motility and digestion.
5. They have a bactericidal and immunomodulatory effect. Helps cope with colds and viral diseases.
6. Improves the condition of skin, hair and nails, especially with complex external and internal use.
7. Strengthens the musculoskeletal system. They contain calcium, as well as substances necessary for its absorption.

In some cases, the shell causes harm to the body. Possible cases are presented in the list:

1. Having an allergic reaction to any nuts.Even macadamia shells can cause a severe allergic reaction.
2. Children before those years. At this age, the child is most prone to allergic reactions.
3. Pregnancy and lactation. Eating macadamia may cause allergies in the fetus or infant.
4. Exacerbations of chronic diseases of the stomach and intestines. Walnut shells intensify symptoms.
5. Animals. Macadamia and its derivatives are poisonous to animals (especially dogs) and can cause paralysis.

In the cases described, the Australian walnut shell can cause serious harm. You should not use products based on it in excess quantities.

Using Macadamia Nut Shells

What is made from macadamia nut shells? It turns out that this product is used quite widely.

The shell from the valuable kernels is used to make medicines according to folk recipes. It is actively used in cosmetology and cooking. Handicraftsmen also love to work with shells.

Australian walnut shells, saturated with essential oils, are also used in industry - in a wide variety of industries.

In industry

The hard shell of the Australian nut is used on an industrial scale. All purifications obtained at the factory during processing of macadamia are used in different areas:

1. Adsorbent (activated carbon). Finely ground compressed shells remove toxins from the body more effectively than regular coal.
2. Technical coal. Thanks to the large amount of refined oils, macadamia nuts burn well and for a long time and release a large amount of energy. They are used as fuel in nut processing industries. The shells are loaded into a boiler to dry and heat the macadamia.
3. Chipboard. Macadamia chipboard is a durable and expensive material.It is characterized by increased resistance to moisture, microorganisms, mold and fungi. The material is used for furnishing bathrooms, saunas, swimming pools and decks. An additional advantage of macadamia chipboard is its pleasant aroma.
4. Construction. Crushed purifications are added to concrete mixtures, making them more durable.
5. Fertilizers. Macadamia nut waste contains a high concentration of useful substances. If they fertilize the soil for planting, the crop will be provided with all the substances necessary for growth and development.
6. Plastic. The powdered shell is used to make environmentally friendly plastic. It is characterized by higher strength and impact resistance.

Although macadamium shells are used industrially, they are not widely used. This is due to the fact that Australian walnuts are mined in relatively small quantities. For this reason, the shell of a valuable product is used mainly in the countries where it is grown.

In cosmetology

Australian walnut shells are also used in cosmetology. It can rejuvenate the skin, restore its elasticity, gently scrub and improve blood circulation. Famous companies add it to their products and use it in home beauty recipes.

Application of macadamia nut shells in cosmetology:

1. Facial scrub. The shell of the Australian nut is ground to a powder. The resulting product is mixed with face cream or sour cream. The scrub is rubbed into the face in a circular motion without pressure for several minutes, then washed off with warm water.
2. Anti-cellulite scrub. Mix 1 tbsp in a container. l. macadamia nut shells, 1.5 tbsp. l olive oil, 5 drops each of rosemary and grapefruit.Problem areas of the body are scrubbed with the composition for 3-5 minutes, then left for another 5 minutes and washed off.
3. Rejuvenating mask. Finely ground Macadamia shells are mixed with the same amount of white clay and diluted with cream (for dry skin) or coffee (for oily skin) to the consistency of sour cream. The mixture is applied to the face and neck and left for 15 minutes. The product is washed off and moisturizer is applied.

In medicine

Alcohol tinctures are prepared from macadamia shells. Nut peelings give the drink a pleasant sweetish taste and vanilla or chocolate (depending on the type of nut) aroma. Some recipes require adding additional ingredients.

Tinctures are used for medicinal purposes. They have the following properties:

1. Antispasmodic effect. The drink eliminates migraines and headaches.
2. Activates the immune system. The tincture is useful for colds.
3. Normalizes blood pressure.
4. Accelerates recovery after illness, tones the body.

Alcohol tinctures are taken only with the permission of a doctor. People for whom alcohol is contraindicated should not take macadamia shell tincture, even for medicinal purposes.

Note! Tincture on Australian walnut shells is taken not only for medicinal purposes, but also as an alcoholic drink.

How to prepare macadamia nut shell tincture:

1. Classic with vodka. For half a liter of vodka, take 50 g of nut shells. Add 1 tbsp there. l sugar, fried until golden brown. The mixture is infused for two weeks in a dark place, periodically shaking the container with it.
2. On moonshine with aromatic additives. In a glass container mix 0.5 liters of moonshine, 40 g of macadamia shells, 1 teaspoon of vanillin, 1 tbsp.l sugar, zest of one orange. The mixture is infused for 14 days in a dark place, shaking regularly.
3. With medical alcohol. To prepare the tincture, mix 1 tbsp in a glass container. alcohol, 1 tbsp. purified water 50 g Australian walnut shells. The drink is infused for 10 days in a dark place, shaking every day.

For medical purposes, the tincture is taken three times a day after meals. Start with 1 tsp, gradually increasing this amount to 1 tbsp. l.

For people who are contraindicated with alcohol tinctures, a decoction of macadamia shells is suitable; it has the same properties as medicine with alcohol.

To prepare it:

• nut shells are washed under running water and placed in a pan;
• 50 g of raw material is poured into a liter of water and brought to a boil over high heat;
• reduce the heat to low and simmer the broth under the lid for 20 minutes;
• strain the resulting mixture.

The medicine is taken three times a day before meals. Store in the refrigerator.

Advice! To boost immunity, relieve fatigue and get rid of stress, a decoction of macadamia shells is added to the bath.

In cooking

The shells will also find use in the kitchen. Reviews say that they make delicious tea.

Here is one of his recipes:

• 50 g of shells crushed in a coffee grinder are poured into 1 liter of boiling water;
• Cover the teapot with a lid and leave it like that for 15 minutes;
• Add honey or sugar to the drink to taste.

Alcohol infusion of macadamia is added to baked goods. It gives baked goods and biscuits a pleasant spicy and vanilla aroma.

The powdered peel is often used as a spice. It goes well with mulled wine.

This is interesting:

What does macadamia nut taste and smell like, and how to eat it correctly

Where and how does macadamia nut grow and how is it used?

Do nuts help with weight loss?

Crafts

The peel is also used to make home decor. Whole halves make beautiful pin cushions, boats, and miniature candlesticks.

The list contains instructions for several interesting uses:

1. Aromatic sachet. Macadamia shells retain a pleasant aroma for a long time. To make an aromatic sachet, macadamia nut shells, a cinnamon stick, and a vanilla stick are placed in a fabric bag.
2. Key ring. A small hole is drilled in the upper edge of the shell halves. A piece of wire is threaded into it, a bead is secured at one end (which will be inside the shell), and the end that comes out is secured with accessories for key rings.

Conclusion

Macadamia nuts are often sold in shells. This way they retain their taste and aroma longer. Without the casing, they spoil in a few weeks. However, shells make up up to 50% of the weight of expensive products.

Don't throw away nut peelings. It has a number of beneficial properties and has a rich biochemical composition. Using the imagination and knowledge gleaned from our article, it can be used in various ways in many areas.