Peanut oil

[Anlbe]

Has anyone tried peanut oil either for the scalp or hair? I was about to buy a neem oil mixture but it has quite alot of peanut oil in it and I realise I have never heard anything about it.

[ChloeDharma]

As far as i can work out peanut oil woul be good for your hair. My only reservation would be that wearing it out might spark a reaction in someone sensitive......i have no idea if thats just me being neurotic or whether it's a real danger. Though if i were you i'd buy pure Neem oil and add that to oils you know you like if that's how you want to use it.

[ktani]

Phytotherathrie uses peanut oil in some of their products See "Phytospecific Revitalizing Treatment".
http://www.hairboutique.com/tips/tip1040.htm

[BrianaFineHair]

As far as i can work out peanut oil woul be good for your hair. My only reservation would be that wearing it out might spark a reaction in someone sensitive......i have no idea if thats just me being neurotic or whether it's a real danger. Though if i were you i'd buy pure Neem oil and add that to oils you know you like if that's how you want to use it.

This was my thought exactly, but I do have a child with a peanut allergy. I would not say you're being neurotic, but thoughtful.

[Tangles]

I just bought a special French hair oil from Whole Foods, and peanut oil is actually the #1 ingredient. I'm also worried that if I use it in my hair it might spark allergies in people near me. I'd like more thoughts on this.

[ktani]

That is a very good point and a very responsible one, IMO.

This is what I first found on the subject.

"Research has shown that refined peanut oil .... not cause allergic reactions for .... majority of peanut allergic individuals .... if anyone does suffer a reaction .... is likely to be mild. .... unrefined (crude) peanut oil .... more likely to cause symptoms.
The research .... published in the British Medical Journal in 1997."
http://www.anaphylaxis.org.uk/information/peanut_oil.html

However, more recent research challeges the earlier study - date 2003.
"Moisturisers that contain peanut oil may trigger potentially fatal allergies in children .... new study that doctors say will change allergy prevention advice given to parents.
The British research found children .... skin was exposed to peanut products .... nearly seven times as likely as others to develop a severe peanut allergy .... at worst can cause death by anaphylactic shock."
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/03/13/1047431149650.html

[ktani]

This research is more current - date - 2007.

The research is mixed on conclusions - given the number of alternative oils to choose from, I would avoid peanut oil and cosmetics containing it.

".... discussion of how safe topical preparations containing peanut oil are with respect to allergy."
http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1468-3083.2006.02133.x