Babchi seed oil is often known by a lot of other names, such as Bakuchi (in Sanskrit) oil, bemchi seed oil, and bavanchi seed oil. Also, its botanical name is Psoralea Corylifolia, which is derived from the Fabaceae plant family. It is an important herb plant due to the fact that it’s uses are widely practised, particularly in Ayurveda medicine, and is still in existence since the ancient times.
Babchi oil is extracted from the Fabaceae tree (legume family) through the cold-pressed method. It is the local name for Psoralea oil in the Indian sub-continent. Babchi is also considered as being known for its effectiveness against ‘Kustanashini’, which means ‘leprosy destroyer’ in traditional Ayurveda medicine. Being one of the most trusted Ayurvedic herbs for blood purification and skin health, this oil also proves useful in curing skin disorders and infections.
What are the Benefits of Cold-Pressing Method?
Cold pressing is the most natural and an ancient method of obtaining oil from a plant’s flowers, leaves, fruits, seeds, stem, or roots. No heat, solvents, or other techniques are applied to the raw materials except mechanical pressure. Therefore, the result of using such method is that it yields a pure and unaltered oil, which is often aromatic and colourful.
Similarly, Babchi oil is the result from cold-pressing the seeds of the bakuchi plant (Psoralea Corylifolia), which belongs to the Fabaceae plant family. The oil is usually brown or dark brown in colour. The oil is sweet and nutty in aroma and full of essential fatty acids to aid in either hair care application and anti-ageing skin care products.
How Does Cold Pressed Babchi Oil Enrich Our Health?
The cold-pressed Babchi oil can be used as a natural remedy to treat various problems related to the skin, hair, and body health. Also, because it is made from the cold-pressed method and without the need for synthetic substances, it is thus, considered organic, safe, and effective.
The oil contains various essential properties, such as antibacterial, antioxidant, antifungal, anti-tumour, antidepressant, stimulant, aphrodisiac, diaphoretic, antiviral, stomachic, astringent, anti-hyperglycaemic, cytotoxic, cardiac, diuretic, tonic, de-obstruent, anthelmintic, anti-microbial, and laxative. Additionally, cold-pressed Babchi oil contains a number of chemical constituents, such as bakuchiol, psoralen, linalool, limonene, α-elemene, angelicin, bavachalcone, isopsoralen, corylifol, 6-prenylnaringenin, corylin, isobavachalcone, corylifolin, psoralidin, bavachromanol, methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate, and neobavaisoflavone.
Thus, Babchi seed oil offers numerous benefits when used in topical application as well as consumption.
Skin and Hair Benefits
Cold-pressed Babchi oil can be very useful in improving skin and hair care as a natural home remedy. A few Babchi Oil Skin benefits of its use include:
- It helps in restoring lost pigmentation in the skin by promoting the pigmentation and stimulates melanin pigments.
- Helps in moisturising dry skin conditions.
- Can help soothe inflammation occurring on the skin.
- The presence of bakuchiol component rich in vitamin A acts on the elastin and collagen in the skin, giving a plumping effect that smoothens fine lines and wrinkles.
- It helps in treating grey hair.
Health Benefits
Aside from being a beneficial oil for treating skin and hair problems, cold-pressed Babchi seed oil can also be used in improving one’s body and health. The benefits this oil can offer for a good health are given as follows:
- Acts as a vasodilator in order to help dilate blood vessels in the body. It works like a natural medicine.
- Can be used as a natural tonic for treating or improving cardiovascular diseases.
- Helps treat various health conditions, such as leprosy, leucoderma, vitiligo, stress, and reproductive ailments.
- It helps in treating cardiovascular problems, liver inflammation, psoriasis, uterine haemorrhage, jaundice, asthma, premature ejaculation, menstrual discomforts, alopecia areata, and skin pigmentation problems.
- Also useful for urinary tract disorders, diabetes, cardiac problems, kidney problems, constipation, worm infestation, bleeding disorders, inflammation, and anaemia.
- Helps in treating weak gums, plaque, bleeding gums, bad breath or halitosis and other oral problems.
How to Use Cold Pressed Babchi Oil
Below are a few applications of cold-pressed Babchi oil for improving the health of one’s skin, hair, and body.
- Take a few drops of the oil and gently apply on your body once a day. A massage with Babchi oil can help strengthen bones and assist in recovery from fractures, etc.
- Apply the oil on hair once daily before showering. Doing so can help cure hair fall problems and promote hair growth.
- Mix 1 drop of Babchi oil and 1 drop of Clove Oil in a cup of warm water. Use it as a mouthwash. Do this two times a day, in the morning and before going to bed. This will help prevent bad breath and gum problems.
- Add 2 drops of Babchi oil and 1 drop of Peppermint Oil in a bowl filled hot water. Inhale the steam for 10-15 minutes. Steam inhalation provides relief from bronchitis, blocked nose, whooping cough, cold and breathing problems.
- Adding 2 drops of Babchi oil to warm water before taking a bath. This can help in keeping away from infectious micro-organisms that may worsen respiratory infections. Gently massage your foot soles with 2 drops of Babchi oil mixed with 1 drop of Cajeput oil and 1 drop of Basil oil. Along with 2 ml of coconut oil, as doing so can help in reducing body temperature, even in case of high fever.
- You can also add 2 drops of Babchi oil with 1 drop of Rose oil. Add 1 drop of Sandalwood oil in warm bathing water before going to bed for elevating your mood.
Things to Know Before Using Babchi Oil – Precautions and Side Effects
Although Babchi oil has its uses in various health and skincare. However, certain precautions cannot be ignored.
- This oil is meant for external use only.
- This oil should not be consumed.
- Pregnant women should not use the oil.
- Avoid sun exposure after using Babchi oil.
- People with sore throat, dry mouth, constipation, urinary tract infection and haematuria should avoid the use of this oil.
- Do not use this oil if you are undergoing PUVA (ultraviolet light) therapy as it might cause photosensitive reactions.
