Growing in warm climates, initially known as an alligator pear due to its rough skin and pear shape, the fruit we know as avocado has been a favourite for millenniums. The first mention of the avo in the English language is recorded as being in 1696 but the point of origin points to Mexico some 5000 years ago. Today the fruit is acclaimed for health benefit and its oils extracted for use in organic salves and ointment. But where did it all start?
The Birth, Life, and Death of the Mother Hass Avocado Tree
Starting as a lucky find, one ardent innovator named A.R Rideout, built a repertoire of as many varieties of avocado as he could find in his Nursery in sunny California. One day, a humble postman, Rudolf Hass bought seed from Rideout intending to graft other varieties on to it. When they all failed, he planned to cut the tree down! Happily, for the world, his children spoke him out of that because they preferred its richer, nuttier taste to that of the popular Fuerte avo, which was the industry standard of the day.
Dare we say the rest is history? Not only was the mother tree kept, but Hass took out a patent on the variety in 1935, naming it after himself. Thanks to it maturing at a different time of year to the Fuerte fruit but it proved to have longer shelf durability. That year Hass drew up an agreement with Harold Brokaw, who is responsible for its popularity to this day.
The patent expired in 1952, the year that Rudolf Hass himself, died. As the California Avocados site put so perfectly, ‘The tree that launched an avocado revolution lived out her days in suburban La Habra Heights. Harold Brokaw’s nephew Hank nursed her through more than a decade, trying to save her from root fungus. Hank lost the fight in 2002, and the tree’s wood is currently in storage in a Ventura nursery awaiting the decision on a fitting commemoration of the original Hass Mother Tree.’
Avocado’s Star Role in Topical Formulations
Lesser known properties of the avocado are its antimicrobial ability and its effect on bone health due to the presence of Vitamin K. We have to keep remembering what great capacity the skin has for absorbing micronutrition from topical applications. With Avocado being recommended for lowering blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and improving insulin activity when balms and creams contain avo, we supplying extra fortification for our inner workings too!
Osteoporosis and osteoarthritis succumb to the marvels of the avocado, which makes them a sensible ingredient in an organic balm or ointment. The amazing avo also lists anti-inflammatory and detoxification properties to its already impressive arsenal, again, perfect in topical preparations.
The Supersalve manufacturers have added organic avocado to their Sport’s Rub formulation, in particular, to assist in healing to bone depth. Visit the Supersalve store and procure a few tubes of this stellar preparation for your household needs.
Ingredients: Calendula, Camphor, Clove, Comfrey, Eucalyptus, Grapeseed Oil, Honey, Rosemary, St John’s Wort all nestled a Shea Butter base. Now with added African Potato and Organic Avocado Supersalve Herbal Sports Rub waits to help you feel better.
NB: All SUPERSALVE products are completely free from petrochemicals, parabens and phthalates, and are safe for the whole family, from babies to the elderly and everything in between!