Tuvaraka Taila: The Ayurvedic Properties of Hydnocarpus Oil

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Tuvaraka Taila is an Ayurvedic oil which comes from the cold-pressed seeds of the Tuvaraka, or Chalmogra, tree (Hydnocarpus wightianus), a small evergreen tree native to southern India. Tuvaraka is also known in Sanskrit as kuṣṭha-vairi which means, “The Enemy of all Skin Diseases”, as it has been known and used since ancient times for the treatment of all kinds of difficult skin conditions. In fact, Tuvaraka was the source of an effective treatment against leprosy in modern allopathic medicine, before it was replaced by more potent medicines. (Read: Alice Ball, Chaulmoogra Oil & Leprosy)

The Ayurvedic properties of Tuvaraka, as mentioned in the ancient Ayurvedic texts like the suśruta-saṃhita and the kaiyadeva-nighaṇṭu, are:

  • Having a hot (uṣṇa) and penetrating (tīkṣṇa) potency
  • Removes excess kapha and balances pitta
  • Is a purgative when taken internally and helps in the treatment of kṛmi, or parasitic infections
  • Anti-microbial and helps in the cleansing and natural healing of wounds
  • Anti-inflammatory and anti-pyretic (jvara-jit), helpful in hot swellings and fever
  • Traditional treatment for all kind of problem skin conditions including ringworm, psoriasis, eczema, acne and even gout and leprosy
  • Traditional treatment for scalp conditions like dandruff or scalp dermatitis

Auromère Ayurvedic Products with Tuvaraka

Ayurvedic Bar Soaps — What would an Ayurvedic bar soap be without the “Enemy of all Skin Diseases” and all its beneficial healing properties? It is for this obvious reason that all of Auromère’s bar soaps, including our Exfoliating Body Bar, contain Tuvaraka oil. According to your dosha or specific skin and body-type, you may choose one of our five varieties of bar soap and benefit from the Ayurvedic healing properties of Tuvaraka.

Ayurvedic Shampoo Bar — As Tuvaraka oil is just as beneficial for the scalp as it is for the rest of the skin, it is also a key ingredient in our Ayurvedic Shampoo Bar. (Curious about the benefits of using a shampoo bar? Check out one of our older articles, “Should I be using a Shampoo Bar?”)