Bakuchi (Babchi) Oil

Psoralea Corylifolia is a stiff herb with heavily gland-dotted branches. Belonging to the Papilonaceae family, it is mainly cultivated to extract oil from its seeds. The seeds are kidney shaped and 4mm long and 3mm broad. The thickness is around 1.5mm with pale yellow colour hard seed coat. It is mainly found in plains of India with the tree average height of 7m.

Oil Its seed contain an essential oil (0.05%), non-volatile terpenoid oil and a dark brown resin (8.6%).

Extraction The oil is extracted from the seeds by steam distillation method.

Chemical composition

Bakuhi oil's main constituents are limonene, α-elemene, γ-elemene, β-caryophylenoxide, 4-terpineol, linalool, geranylacetate.

USES

Skin diseases

It is known for its effective against the skin streptococci infections. When applied to the voluntary muscle, bakuchi oil has a unique stimulant action. The oil seeps through the epidermis to the prickle cells of lymphatic and then stimulates the cells in sub capillaries. Its main advantage over the various skin irritants is that it does not have any desquamation effect, which means the in loss of pigment of epidermis.

It is known as Kushtaghni in Ayurveda, literally means cure for skin disease. It also treats other skin related problems like eczema, dermatitis, skin eruptions, inflamed skin nodules, leucoderma, scabies, vitiligo and ringworm. 

Bones and teeth strengthening

It is known for improving the calcification level, by elevating the calcium level in bones. In osteoporosis condition it is recommended for women's. It also speeds up the healing of dislocated or fractured bone.

Bakuchi oil posses' antiseptic, acerbic, anodyne and antimicrobial properties that abet in the healing of various oral conditions plaque, feeble gums, halitosis or ghastly breath, bleeding gums.

Respiratory problems

It is known for the removal of the accumulated phlegm and mucus deposits in the lungs and respiratory passages. It is an effective remedy in respiratory conditions like asthma, dyspnoea and bronchitis.