Karanja has been used in Ayurvedic treatment and religious work since the Vedic period. It is used in Ayurveda to produce many medicinal formulations and Karanja oil etc. Due to this, it provides benefits in leprosy and other diseases in women. Karanja is also known by the names Chirbilv, Snigdha Patra, Naktamal, etc. Its seeds are used primarily for medicinal use from which Karanja oil is manufactured which is a very beneficial oil for curing skin diseases.

Karanja trees are found all over India, especially in Central and Eastern Himalayan regions. The Karanja tree is 25 to 30 feet high, is always green. Its branches hang downwards and its leaves are 8 to 15 inches long and puffed from the edges. Its flowers are pink, blue, and white in color on which there is a smooth pod 1 to 2 inches long. This pod is of dark color like soil, inside which are its seeds. Oil extracted from these seeds is called Karanja oil which is used for the treatment of various diseases.

Advantages of Karanja oil

Beneficial for baldness-

Massaging the head with Karanja oil provides relief in baldness problems. Apart from this, grinding the flowers of Karanja and applying them on the head also reduces the problem of baldness to a great extent.

Effective for reducing swelling-

Massaging Karanja oil provides relief in swelling, joints, and arthritis pain. Apart from this, compressing or sweeping the leaves of Karanja is also beneficial in curing all types of swelling of the body.

Useful for tooth disease-

Rubbing Karanja oil on the teeth reduces toothache if there is a problem like a toothache or pyorrhea. Apart from this, Datun with a sprig of Karanja is also good in teeth problems like pyorrhea.

Beneficial for abdominal worm-

Many times children and older people have problems with stomach worms. In such a situation, Karanja oil can be a good option for them because according to Ayurveda, consuming Karanja oil kills stomach worms.

Use of Karanja in leprosy-

Oil made from the seeds of Karanja is an anthelmintic. Therefore, the use of this oil is beneficial in leprosy. Karanja oil has bactericidal properties, which makes it effective for diseases like leprosy. Apart from this, the paste made by rubbing the bark of the Karanja plant also has benefits in leprosy and wounds, etc.

Benefits of Karanja oil for wounds-

Using Karanja oil on the injury reduces the pus in the wound. Also, the wound can be protected from infection. Apart from this, the properties of bitter and thistle juice of Karanja also help in healing the injury and its wounds quickly.

Effective for Psoriasis-

Massaging with Karanja oil is beneficial in skin disorders like itching and psoriasis.

For herpes and skin disease-

In the condition of ringworm and other skin diseases, applying lemon juice mixed with Karanja oil reduces itching and burning sensation and provides relief in other diseases. Apart from this, the paste of Karanja leaves also acts as a medicine for skin-related diseases.

Beneficial in syphilis-

Mixing one to two drops of lemon juice in Karanja oil and applying it to the wound provides relief in smallpox.

Mosquito's enemy Karanja oil-

By applying Karanja oil on the body, the outbreak of mosquitoes can be avoided. For this, it is necessary to apply Karanja oil to the entire body.

Side effects of Karanja Oil

• Though there are no known major side effects of this oil there are inconclusive results of its effect on children and pregnant women, therefore, to be on the safer side, the oil should not be used by them.
• Karanja can cause rashes as it is hot in nature. So, the oil should be used with rose water, coconut oil, or other carrier oil while applying.