« Back to Glossary Index

What is it?

Peanut oil is the oil from the seed (peanut) of the peanut plant (Arachis hypogaea). Peanut oil is used in cooking and is also used to make medicine.

Peanut oil is high in monounsaturated “good” fat and low in saturated “bad” fat. This is believed to help prevent heart disease and lower cholesterol. Peanut oil might help to reduce fatty build up in blood vessels.

People use peanut oil for high levels of cholesterol or other fats in the blood, heart disease, joint pain, dry skin, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Peanut is considered a major food allergen in the US. Peanut contents, including peanut oil, must be labeled on packaged food and supplement products.

How effective is it?

There is interest in using peanut oil for a number of purposes, but there isn’t enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

Is it safe?

When taken by mouth: Peanut oil is commonly consumed in foods. But there isn’t enough reliable information to know if peanut oil is safe to use in larger amounts as medicine. Peanut oil can cause allergic reactions in people who have an allergy to peanut.

When applied to the skin: Peanut oil is likely safe. But peanut oil can cause allergic reactions in people who have an allergy to peanut.

When given as an enema (rectally): There isn’t enough reliable information to know if peanut oil is safe to use or what the side effects might be.

Special precautions & warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Peanut oil is commonly consumed in foods. There isn’t enough reliable information to know if peanut oil is safe to use in greater amounts as medicine while pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts.

Allergy to peanuts, soybeans, and related plants: Peanut oil can cause serious allergic reactions in people who are allergic to peanuts, soybeans, and other members of the Fabaceae plant family.

Are there interactions with medications?

It is not known if this product interacts with any medicines.

Before taking this product, talk with your health professional if you take any medications.

Are there interactions with herbs and supplements?

There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.

Are there interactions with foods?

There are no known interactions with foods.

How is it typically used?

Peanut oil is commonly used in foods. As medicine, there isn’t enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of peanut oil might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.

Other names

Aceite de Cacahuete, Aceite de Maní, Arachide, Arachis hypogaea, Cacahouète, Cacahuète, Earth-Nut, Groundnuts, Huile d’Arachide, Huile de Cacahouète, Huile de Cacahuète, Monkey Nuts, Peanut, Peanuts.

Methodology

To learn more about how this article was written, please see the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database methodology.

References

  1. Zhuang P, Mao L, Wu F, et al. Cooking Oil Consumption Is Positively Associated with Risk of Type 2 Diabetes in a Chinese Nationwide Cohort Study. J Nutr. 2020;150:1799-1807. View abstract.
  2. Wu F, Mao L, Zhuang P, Chen X, Jiao J, Zhang Y. Plant-sourced cooking oil consumption is associated with lower total mortality in a longitudinal nationwide cohort study. Clin Nutr. 2020;39:3703-3710. View abstract.
  3. Food and Drug Administration. Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004 (FALCPA); Public Law 108-282, Title II. Accessed on May 19, 2021. Available at: https://www.fda.gov/food/food-allergensgluten-free-guidance-documents-regulatory-information/food-allergen-labeling-and-consumer-protection-act-2004-falcpa.
  4. Polk BI, Dinakarpandian D, Nanda M, Barnes C, Dinakar C. Association of tree nut and coconut sensitizations. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2016;117:412-416. View abstract.
  5. Randhawa I, Morphew T, Marsteller NL. Correlation of negative skin-prick test results for tree nuts and successful tree nut challenges among children with peanut allergy. Allergy Asthma Proc. 2018;39:456-460. View abstract.
  6. Akhtar S, Khalid N, Ahmed I, Shahzad A, Suleria HA. Physicochemical characteristics, functional properties, and nutritional benefits of peanut oil: a review. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2014;54:1562-75. View abstract.
  7. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21. Part 182 — Substances Generally Recognized As Safe. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=182
  8. la Vecchia C, Negri E, Franceschi S, et al. Olive oil, other dietary fats, and the risk of breast cancer (Italy). Cancer Causes Control 1995;6:545-50. View abstract.
  9. Kritchevsky D. Cholesterol vehicle in experimental atherosclerosis. A brief review with special reference to peanut oil. Arch Pathol Lab Med 1988;112:1041-4. View abstract.
  10. Kritchevsky D, Tepper SA, Klurfeld DM. Lectin may contribute to the atherogenicity of peanut oil. Lipids 1998;33:821-3. View abstract.
  11. Stampfer J, Manson JE, Rimm EB, et al. Frequent nut consumption and risk of coronary heart disease study. BMJ 1998; 17:1341-5.
  12. Sobolev VS, Cole RJ, Dorner JW, et al. Isolation, Purification, and Liquid Chromatographic Determination of Stilbene Phytoalexins in Peanuts. J AOAC Intl 1995;78:1177-82.
  13. Bardare M, Magnolfi C, Zani G. Soy sensitivity: personal observation on 71 children with food intolerance. Allerg Immunol (Paris) 1988;20:63-6.
  14. Eigenmann PA, Burks AW, Bannon GA, et al. Identification of unique peanut and soy allergens in sera adsorbed with cross-reacting antibodies. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1996;98:969-78. View abstract.
  15. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.

Show more references

Last reviewed –
11/17/2021
« Back to Glossary Index

RELATED POSTS

Comments are disabled