They are also available almost everywhere in India, among other countries. It is known as “Mungfali” in Hindi. The Akans of Ghana refer to it as “Nkatia”.

Ground nut has been argued by some scholars to be leguminous. Other scholars opine that since it has all the properties of nuts (almond, cashew nuts, etc.), it is included in the nuts family.

Among some types of ground nut are; Virginia”, “Española”, Malgache groundnut”, and Kersting groundnut.

Ground nut can be boiled or roasted and accompanied with porridge or eaten as snack.

Ground nut or pea nut can serve as an important oil source. When processed, it is called groundnut oil or peanut oil. It is also known as Arachis oil. It is a mild-tasting vegetable oil.

The oil is available with a strong ground nut flavor and aroma.

Some other oils include; Mustard oil, clove oil, olive oil, virgin coconut oil, sun flower oil, soya bean oil and whale oil.

Records have shown that shortage of whale oil in the confederacy made peanut oil an attractive alternative during the American Civil war. The oil had increased use in the United States during World War II, because of shortages of other oils.

Ground nut oil is enriched with Vitamin E, Vitamin B Complex (riboflavin, niacin, thiamin, vitamin B6, etc.), energy and minerals (copper, calcium, iron, zinc, etc.).

Also, ground nut oil is packed with Omega 3 fatty acids and protein which are responsible for keeping the skin young. Omega 3 fatty acids reduce inflammation in the body to prevent skin eruptions.

Ground nut oil lowers the risk of developing skin cancer. It also moisturizes the skin to treat dry and scaly skin.

Eczema, rashes, painful inflammation and wrinkles are some skin disorders that can be treated with the use of ground nut oil.

Some benefits that users of ground nut or pea nut oil gain are; it guards the skin from the harsh Ultra Violet (UV) rays of the sun to protect against sun burn and skin damage.

Ground nut oil helps fight against skin disorders such as rashes, acne, eczema, et cetera. . It also leads to speedy healing of wounds and bruises on the skin.

Ground nut or peanut oil massage can energize your body and help to get rid of joint problems. Prolonged use of ground nut oil on skin yields good results.

Rancid could occur when stored for a longer period. That is, users of ground nut oil are bound to have an unpleasant stale smell as a result of excessively long period of storage.

Consumers are advised to purchase the needed amount of ground nut oil for use other than buying in excess.

It must be noted that, ground nut oil can cause serious allergic reactions to individuals who are allergic to groundnut or peanut.