Today we speak about an amazing plant based oil of the ancient Ayurveda tradition, Kumkumadi Tailam, that you can easily found in herbalist’s shops and online and use to improve the skin appearance, to counteract acne and wrinkles and to attenuate eye bags and dark circles. The word kumkumadi means in Sanskrit saffron, that is also the main ingredient of this beauty lotion. Kumkumadi is prepared by leaving to brew, in boiling water, different herbs such as licorice, vetiver, red sandalwood, lotus flower and Indian madder. The tea is then strained and added to sesame oil, goat milk and, precisely, saffron. The result is a brightening, cleansing, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and nourishing serum, able to improve skin texture, to counteract wrinkles, to soothe sunburns and irritations and to treat acne, blackheads but also to attenuate scars and dark skin spots. These characteristics come from the properties of the used herbs that release their active substances, both water and fat soluble thanks to the particular preparation, to the lotion. For example, one of the ingredient of kumkumadi is, as mentioned, Indian madder, scientific name Rubia cordifolia. This plant is antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic, thus resulting a valid treatment in case of acne. In fact, according to scientific studies, it is able to counteract the proliferation of the bacteria that may cause this skin disease such as Propionibacterium acne (Chaudhary et al, Journal of Ayurveda & Holistic Medicine, 2015). Another ingredient of this beauty lotion is the saffron. The topical application of this spice shows antioxidant, moisturizing and skin clearing properties, helps counteract redness, wrinkles, acne and eye bags (Khorasani et al, Iran J Basic Med Sci, May 2016). Vetiver shows an antimicrobial action and is able to fight the aging processes, like licorice that, thanks to the high intake of phenol compounds, counteracts skin aging in addition to having an action against skin spots (Burger et al, Medicines, Ju 2017 - Binic et al, Evid Based Complement Alternat Med., Jan 2013).
Uses
In the evening, pour 3-4 drops of this serum on the hand and massage the face for some seconds. In alternative, a couple of drops of kumkumadi may be added to a pot full of hot water to prepare steam bath for the face skin. Kumkumadi tailam results also as a beneficial serum in case of eye bags and dark circles. Apply two drops of this Ayurvedic oil in the part below the eyes and gently massage with slow movements from the nose towards the temples for a minute.
