Kumkumadi Tailam: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects and More By Dr. Smita Barode
By Dr Smita Barode +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr Smita Barode & + 1 more
Bharath Kumar Reddy
Last updated: Jun 7, 2023Click to rate this article!
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By Dr Smita Barode +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr Smita Barode & + 1 more
Bharath Kumar Reddy
Last updated: Jun 7, 2023Table of Contents
Although, it is rightly said that ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’, it’s difficult not to be moved by the glowing face of a person. Beauty is just a higher form of health and healthy-looking skin is always considered beautiful. The basic aim of “Swasthavritta” is to keep a healthy person well by preventing sickness. Kumkumadi tailam, an ancient recipe, includes rare ayurvedic ingredients. High-quality saffron oil is called kumkumadi tailam. This special combination of oils and kumkumadi tailam promotes youthful and healthy-looking skin. Kumkumadi tailam might help to heal uneven skin, brighten skin and add radiance.1
I would suggest giving kumkumadi tailam a try if you’re looking for a natural solution for acne. This ayurvedic product might be beneficial for certain skin disorders, specifically acne.
Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D (Ayu)
The kumkumadi tailam is made of ingredients mixed in equal amounts (48gms each) given in the table below: 2
| Herbs (Kwath Dravya) | Part Used |
| Tribulus Terrestris – Gokshura | Root |
| Solanum Indicum – Brihati | Root |
| Oroxylum Indicum – Shyonaka | Root |
| Gmelina Arborea – Gambhari | Root |
| Berberis Aristata – Daruhaldi | Edible root |
| Vetiveria zizanioides – Ushira Patra | Root |
| Prunus Cerasoides – Padmaka | Flower |
| Nymphaea Stellata –– Niledible root (Neel Kamal) | Flower |
| Stereospermum Suaveolens – Patala | Root |
| Desmodium Gangeticum – Shalaparni | Root |
| Uraria Picta – Prishnaparni | Root |
| Pterocarpus Santalinus– Lal Chandan | Edible root |
| Laccifer Lacca – Lac | Resin |
| Rubia Cordifolia – Manjistha | Edible root |
| Glycyrrhiza Glabra – Yashtimadhu (Mulethi) | Edible root |
| Ficus Benghalensis– Vat Vriksha | Fruit |
| Ficus Lacor – Java Fig | Fruit |
| Nelumbo Nucifera –– Kamal Kesar | Kesar |
| Aegle Marmelos – Bael | Fruit |
| Premna Mucronata – Agnimantha | Root |
Table 1: List of Kumkumadi Tailam Ingredients (Composition) in Kwatha Dravya.2
| Rubia Cordifolia – Manjistha | Edible root |
| Glycyrrhiza Glabra – Yashtimadhu | Edible root |
| Madhuca Longifolia – Mahua | Fruit |
| Laccifer Lacca – Lac | Resin |
| Caesalpinia Sappan – Pattanga | Edible root |
Table 2: List of Kumkumadi Tailam Ingredients (Composition) in Kalka Dravya.2
Other ingredients used are goat milk, sesame oil, Kesar and rose water Q.S. These ingredients are mixed to finally obtain the ayurvedic preparation called kumkumadi tailam.
In my opinion, in addition to its potential benefits of kumkumadi tailam for dark spots and hyperpigmentation. It may also help help those struggling with patchy skin. This Ayurvedic formulation may help manage dryness and improve overall skin texture.
Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS
The potential properties of kumkumadi tailam are:
Let me tell you about the wonders of kumkumadi tailam. This magical oil can work wonders for your skin! It may act on the inflammation in the top layer of your skin, known as the epidermis. It has chemicals that may change how your skin cells called melanocytes and immune cells behave. By doing so, it might help lighten dark spots and hyperpigmentation.
Dr. Smita Barode, B.A.M.S, M.S.
Some of the potential uses of kumkumadi tailam are discussed as follows.
When kumkumadi tailam is applied locally to the lips, it helps to dilate the blood vessels at the affected lip region. As a result, the active ingredient in the herb may easily penetrate the skin and enter the bloodstream through the capillaries at the affected lip areas.1
Nitin Jathar et al. (2020) conducted a study on 30 patients suffering from discoloured lips due to smoking. They were treated with kumkumadi tailam by applying it locally. This demonstrated improvement in the lip colour significantly. Since the primary dosha that may cause lip discolouration might be pitta, kumkumadi tailam might improve lip colour by relieving pitta.1 This may indicate the potential of kumkumadi tailam in helping in improving lip discolouration. However, there is a need for more studies in this area. You must consult an Ayurvedic physician to understand the exact benefits of the herb for humans.
Many herbs present in the herbal preparation of kumkumadi tailam might have wound-healing properties and anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antibacterial characteristics. Combining these herbs might help stop bleeding in wounds and injuries, heal skin ulcers and expedite the regeneration of the tissue in wounds.2 These benefits of this herb in the formulation need to be further evaluated by studies. You must consult a doctor before using any herb for its medicinal benefits.
Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-hyperpigmentation properties might be present in kumkumadi tailam. The formulation might also exhibit anti-ageing, skin hydration, anti-wrinkle, moisturising benefits and potential improvement in skin texture. Thus, using kumkumadi oil for the face can brighten skin, increase skin softness and decreases pigmentation making the skin radiant. It might also decrease the amount of melanin pigment released. Moreover, it may improve skin lustre while reducing the appearance of scars, dark circles under the eyes and hyperpigmentation.1,2
One of the major kumkumadi oil ingredients is saffron. Golmohammadzadeh et al. (2010) studied that saffron present in kumkumadi tailam might have properties that can be used as a natural UV-absorbing agent. Thus, it might be used as sunscreen.
On regular applications, kumkumadi tailam may also remove the damage caused by prolonged sun exposure like sun tan, blemishes, dark spots, etc. However, the studies conducted on the exact benefits of this formulation are insufficient to prove its benefits. It is better to get professional advice from qualified doctors.2
Several other potential uses of kumkumadi tailam need to be studied further to prove its exact efficacy. Some of these are:
Though there are studies showing the kumkumadi tailam benefits in various conditions, these are insufficient and there is a need of further studies to establish the true extent of kumkumadi tailam on human health.
To obtain kumkumadi tailam benefits for the skin, you may take some amount of the oil on your palms, and then gently rub it all over the skin regularly for clear and radiant skin. You may gently apply it on affected areas like lips using your fingers for targeted benefits. It is best to apply it before bedtime.1,2
You must consult a qualified doctor before taking any kumkumadi tailam supplements. Do not discontinue or replace an ongoing modern medical treatment with an ayurvedic/kumkumadi tailam preparation without consulting a qualified doctor.
Kumkumadi tailam is generally considered safe if used in the recommended dosages. Further, the local application of kumkumadi tailam on lips might not cause side effects such as allergic reactions, itching, etc. However, ayurvedic kumkumadi oil side effects cannot be completely denied as herbs may react differently in each person’s skin depending on their condition and body responses. Therefore, you must consult a qualified Ayurvedic doctor before using any herb for medicinal purposes.2
Just like any remedy or treatment, general precautions need to be followed while using kumkumadi tailam. People should take extra precautions before giving them to children, the elderly and pregnant and lactating women. Please do not try to self-medicate with herbs. Ayurvedic herbs may have potential benefits, but it is advisable to consult a qualified Ayurvedic physician before their usage.
The possibility of certain drugs reacting with herbs like kumkumadi tailam cannot be denied. Therefore, you must consult an Ayurvedic physician before using any herbal item in more than the prescribed quantities. Your Ayurvedic physician can appropriately modify the dosage and prescribe as per your current medications, conditions and requirements.
Several ayurvedic ingredients are mixed together to make the formulation called kumkumadi tailam. A few major ingredients of the kumkumadi oil are: Kumkuma, Usheera, Kaaleeya, Laksha, Yashtimadhu, Chandana, Nyagrodha, Padmaka, Neelotpala, Manjishta, etc.1
To prepare kumkumadi tailam, we first need to prepare a coarse powder of all herbs and soak them in water for a few hours. Further, a kwatha can be prepared by boiling this water with herbs until it is reduced to 1/4th of its volume. Then, this decoction can be filtered. Then you can prepare a herbal paste using herbs like Manjistha, Yashtimadhu, Mahua, Lac and Pattanga. Finally, this herbal paste, sesame oil and goat milk are mixed in a vessel, the mixture is boiled and simmered until the oil remains. Once this oil is taken out, we can mix a paste of saffron with rose water into this oil and preserve it in a glass bottle. This final preparation is called kumkumadi tailam.2
If consumed in the proper dosages, kumkumadi tailam is usually regarded as safe. Furthermore, patients may not have any negative side effects from the local application of kumkumadi tailam to their lips, such as allergic reactions, irritation, etc. It is better to consult your ayurvedic physician before using any herb for medicinal purposes.
Kumkumadi tailam might have properties that can be used as a natural UV-absorbing agent. It may also reverse sun damage to some extent. However, these properties have yet to be studied extensively. It would be best if you took advice from a qualified doctor before using it.
The herbs that combine to form kumkumadi tailam may be effective against bacteria, viruses and generalized inflammation in addition to healing of wounds. Combining these herbs may speed up the process of regeneration of wound tissue, stop untimely bleeding in wounds and heal skin ulcers. However, more studies should be conducted to better assess the advantages of using this herb in the formulation. Before utilising any herb for its therapeutic properties, you must visit a doctor.
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