(What is it, How is it Made, Benefits, Why is it Highly Priced)
That small little bottle of Kumkumadi Oil and priced so high! Ever wondered why?
Since the advent of skin-care, which essentially would mean since the beginning of time for human-kind, we have been striving to develop powerful concoctions, infused with a variety of herbs and ingredients.
In Ayurveda, there is one such Miraculous recipe that is known for its powerful, extraordinary and supremely beneficial properties - the Kumkumadi oil. It is an oil which provides cosmetic as well as therapeutic effects for the skin without causing any damage. Along with moisturizing and toning the skin, it also cleanses and nourishes the skin.
With its surreal ability to bring about a golden and regal glow on the face, the Kumkumadi Oil is known for eradicating several skin-related issues while enhancing our natural glow. Well, where does it get its name from? Kumkuma means red-gold saffron, in Sanskrit, an ingredient that is key in the Kumkumadi Oil.
Let’s further look at the benefits that Kumkumadi Oil provides us with -
Kumkumadi Oil works as a natural skin illuminator and lightens the skin tone while also improving skin texture. It is also known widely for reducing skin discoloration, blemishes, and scars, along with brightening dull skin or reducing patches on the skin.
Some relevant skin-related issues arise from ageing, and Kumkumadi Oil also helps to repair signs of ageing and hyperpigmentation and reduces dark circles.
Did you think the list of benefits exhausts here? Well, you would be surprised to know that Kumkumadi Oil provides a ton of other benefits including:
- It helps the skin heal from skin-infections
Derived from the secretion of Lac insects, Lac or Laksha is one of the ingredients in Kumkumadi Oil that contains anti-fungal properties which prove extremely useful in fighting bacterial or fungal skin-infections. Another ingredient in Kumkumadi Oil, that also helps to heal from skin-infections, is Indian Madder- another ingredient which provides anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Additionally, the extracts of Indian Redwood, also known as Sappan Wood, and the pollen of Lotus Flower, give Kumkumadi Oil healing abilities and treat conditions including inflammation.
- Kumkumadi Oil treats discoloration and pigmentation
Licorice Root Extract, a natural skin lightening ayurvedic ingredient, inhibits the enzyme that causes pigmentation in response to sun exposure. Additionally, it works to minimizing scar-induced dark pigmentation.
A few other ingredients in Kumkumadi Oil that help with skin brightening and reducing discoloration are the Wild Himalayan Cherry, Leaves of the Banyan Tree and Vetiver Roots, which are extremely effective in diminishing dark spots and hyperpigmentation.
- It also helps to regulate Oiliness
What! Well, yes, you heard that right! Kumkumadi Oil is highly effective in regulating oiliness- an issue that causes several other consequential issues such as breakouts, acne and inflammation.
One of the many herbs in the oil is called Indian Barberry (Tree Turmeric), known for reducing the production skin lipids, commonly known as sebum. This ingredient makes it perfect for unclogging pores, taming oily skin and preventing acne. Kumkumadi Oil also consists of extracts from the seed of Blue Lotus, a natural moisturiser that balances oil and prevents breakouts. Alongside, the Mahua flower present in the oil make it an efficient skin toner with its cooling properties.
- Kumkumadi Oil is great for hydration and moisturisation
When it comes to hydrating and nourishing your face, the Kumkumadi Oil is the best serum one can choose.
Prepared with a combination of powerful Ayurvedic roots from plants such as Bael and Indian Trumpet Flower, Kumkumadi Oil is also effective in treating excessive dryness of the skin.
Well, having gone over its immense benefits, it is only natural to be inquisitive about the process with which it is made. Let’s go over the process !
Ingredients in Kumkumadi Oil are:
Herbs for the decoction (Kwath Dravya):
Kesar or saffron pollens - Crocus Sativus
Lal Chandan or Red Sandalwood – Pterocarpus santalinus
Manjistha - Rubia cordifolia
Yashtimadhu (Mulethi) or Licorice - Glycyrrhiza glabra
Laksha or lac - Laccifer lacca
Vat Vriksha or Indian Banyan - Ficus benghalensis
Pakar or Java Fig - Ficus Lacor
Nilkand (Neel Kamal) or Blue Lotus – Nymphaea stellata
Kamal Kesar or sacred lotus (Indian Lotus) - Nelumbo nucifera
Daruhaldi - Berberis aristata
Ushira - Vetiveria zizanioides
Padmaka - Prunus cerasoides
Dashamoolas (the potent magical concoction of ten dried roots of ten different plants)
Agnimantha - Premna mucronata
Bael - Aegle marmelos
Brihati - Solanum indicum
Gokshura - Tribulus terrestris
Kantakari - Solanum xanthocarpum
Gambhari - Gmelina arborea
Patala - Stereospermum suaveolens
Shalaparni - Desmodium gangeticum
Prishnaparni - Uraria Picta
Shyonaka - Oroxylum indicum
Manjistha - Rubia cordifolia
Yashtimadhu (Mulethi) or Licorice - Glycyrrhiza glabra
Mahua - Madhuca longifolia
Laksha or lac - Laccifer lacca
Pattanga - Caesalpinia sappan
Sesame Oil
Goat Milk
Rose Water
What’s the Method?
For the decoction, the sundried powdered form of each herb is used which are boiled together. The paste is mixed with the Goat’s milk and sesame oil, and the resultant decoction is kept aside. The mixture is boiled until the water evaporates and there is only oil left.
A tincture of saffron and rose water is mixed with this, then it is cooled down and preserved in a glass bottle.
There you go!
How Should I Apply the Oil?
Applied in three simple steps- Pre-Oiling, Facial Oiling, and Post-Oiling, Kumkumadi Oil or Tailam is a magical concoction with multiple skin benefits packed into one powerful potion.
Pre-Oiling involves cleansing your face at night, post which you can dampen your skin with Pure Rose, Mogra, Lavendar or Vetiver water.
The next stage is Face Oiling, which includes taking 2-3 drops of the Kumkumadi Oil on your palm and applying it all over your face equally while gently massaging it until its absorbed.
Post-oiling refers to the stage where one leaves the Kumkumadi Oil overnight and wash it next morning with a mild natural cleanser.
With its unimaginable, uncanny and highly beneficial properties, Kumkumadi Oil is a one-of-a-kind, completely natural and Ayurvedic oil, that will help your skin heal, bring about a bright glow and make you look youthful and radiant.
Also now you know how the process of extracting Kumkumadi Oil is so extensive, with so many powerful ingredients and with such miraculous benefits, that demands such high prices of skincare products, wherever this oil is used.