Oil derived from wheat germ has medicinal purposes.
The oil found in wheat germ is highly nutritious and used for medicinal, cosmetic and culinary purposes. The germ is actually the wheat stalk's embryo, which makes up only 2.5 percent of the actual plant. Though it is sometimes used for cooking, the benefits of the oil are better experienced when it is consumed in its natural cold-pressed state.
Wheat Plant Anatomy
The wheat plant is the product of a root and shoot system of growth, with each stage of development offsetting the next until it matures to its proper height. At the crown of the plant is the ear, sometimes referred to as the spike, which can be the home to many "spikelets," or buds. The seed of the plant lies within its buds, and serves a reproductive function. Furthermore; within the seed is its embryo, also known as the plant's germ. It is from this minuscule part of the plant that wheat germ oil is extracted.
Wheat Germ Oil Extraction
To obtain wheat germ oil from the plant, the germ must first be separated from the seed. Then, the oil is pressed out of the germ in a process known as cold press. Cold press means that the oil is extracted from the seed at a temperature less than 80 degrees F. It is a long process and, for that reason, cold pressed oils tend to be more potent and more expensive than any other oil extraction process. The result of cold pressing is a light golden oil, high in healthy fats and alcohols.
Properties
One of the main properties of wheat germ oil is its high level of Vitamin E, which is higher than any other oil --- approximately 200mg per 1/2 cup -- according to Annette Heisch's book "Oil and Vinegar." The oil is also high in octacosanol, which is a medicinal fatty alcohol found in plant waxes. Additional nutrients include high contents of saturated fatty acids, such as palmitic, oletic (a form of omega-9), linolenic (omega-3) and linoleic (omega-6) acids.
Benefits
Wheat germ oil has long been researched and used for its benefits in sports nutrition. The oil has been known to increase the metabolism and maximize oxygen intake, due to the high presence of octacosanol, according to the book "Sport Nutrition: an Introduction to Energy Production and Performance" by Asker Jeukendrup and Michael Gleeson. This alcohol can also be responsible for improving cardiovascular health. For topical applications, wheat germ oil can help cure skin-related conditions, such as psoriasis and eczema. Additionally, the oil can help improve the blood's circulation in the skin, when massaged onto the skin.
Tags: wheat germ, from seed, germ from, plant germ, than other, Wheat Germ, Wheat Plant