Chaulmoogra oil

Product Description:

Chaulmoogra Oil is a cold pressed carrier oil extracted from the seeds of the chaulmoogra tree (Hydnocarpus wightiana), a tree native to India and parts of Southeast Asia. The oil holds a notable place in the history of traditional Indian and Asian botanical practices, where it has been recognised for generations as a significant ingredient in skin focused preparations. The oil is pale yellow to brownish in colour with a characteristic earthy, mildly pungent scent and a thick, viscous consistency. At Maduras Herbals, we supply Chaulmoogra Oil as a raw material for cosmetic manufacturers, DIY formulators, and skin care product developers looking for a rare, traditional carrier oil from India.

Botanical and Local Names

Botanical Name: Hydnocarpus wightiana
English Name: Chaulmoogra Oil
Hindi Name: Chalmogra Tel
Tamil Name: Maravattai Ennai
Telugu Name: Chalmogra Nune
Malayalam Name: Chalmogra Enna
Kannada Name: Chalmogra Enne

Key Properties

• Cold pressed from chaulmoogra seeds with no heat and no chemical solvents involved
• Thick, viscous texture with a characteristic earthy, mildly pungent scent
• Naturally rich in a distinctive group of fatty acids unique to the Hydnocarpus plant family
• Unrefined and supplied in its natural state without bleaching or deodorisation
• Colour ranges from pale yellow to brownish, typical of an unrefined cold pressed seed oil
• A rare and lesser available carrier oil with strong traditional and botanical heritage value
• Often blended with lighter carrier oils due to its semi-thick consistency

About Chaulmoogra Oil

Chaulmoogra oil is cold-pressed from the seeds of Hydnocarpus wightianus or Hydnocarpus kurzii, trees native to the Western Ghats of India and parts of Southeast Asia including Myanmar and Thailand. It holds a remarkable place in medical history as one of the oldest known treatments for leprosy and various chronic skin conditions, with its use in Indian and Chinese traditional medicine documented for over a thousand years. While modern medicine has since developed more effective treatments for leprosy, chaulmoogra oil remains genuinely relevant in cosmetic formulation for its distinctive fatty acid profile and its well-established anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.

What sets chaulmoogra oil apart chemically from virtually all other carrier oils is its content of cyclopentenyl fatty acids, particularly hydnocarpic acid and chaulmoogric acid. These unusual cyclic fatty acids are found in very few other plant oils and are largely responsible for the oil's traditional therapeutic reputation. The oil also contains gorlic acid alongside more conventional fatty acids. Its antimicrobial activity is particularly well documented, and it has demonstrated effectiveness against a range of bacteria and fungi, making it a genuinely functional ingredient for problem skin formulations rather than just a heritage curiosity.

Working with Chaulmoogra Oil in Your Formulations

Chaulmoogra oil is best suited to formulations targeting problem skin, including products for acne-prone, fungal, or chronically inflamed skin conditions. It works well in facial oils, targeted treatment balms, and scalp preparations when blended with lighter carrier oils such as jojoba or sweet almond. Its historical and Ayurvedic credentials also make it a compelling storytelling ingredient for heritage-inspired natural skincare lines.

Quality & Formulation Notes

No widely documented adverse effects or formulation restrictions apply to chaulmoogra oil. It is a relatively niche ingredient with limited mainstream commercial availability, so sourcing from a traceable, trusted supplier is important. A patch test recommendation is sensible given its potent antimicrobial compounds. Batch variation in colour and scent is normal and does not indicate a quality issue.

Applications

Skin Care Formulations: Balms, salves, body oils, blended skin care formulations, spot care preparations

Hair Care Formulations: Hair oils and scalp oil blends in combination with lighter carrier oils

Cosmetic and Soap Making: Soap making, lotion and cream oil-phase ingredient, carrier base for blended aromatherapy formulations

General Use: Bulk supply for cosmetic manufacturers, DIY skin care kits, traditional and Ayurvedic product formulation

Packing and Storage

Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat. Keep the container tightly sealed when not in active use. Recommended storage temperature below 25°C. Refrigeration is acceptable for extended shelf life. Best before 18 months from packaging date. Natural variation in colour and viscosity between batches is characteristic of a cold pressed, unrefined oil.

Caution

Patch test is recommended before use on skin. In case of any allergic reaction, discontinue use and consult a dermatologist or physician.