Every hero ingredient in the range, by its English, Sanskrit and botanical name, and the formulas it goes into. The full ingredient list of each formula is on its own page.
कुङ्कुमKumkumaCrocus sativus
The dried red threads of the saffron crocus, picked by hand in Kashmir each autumn. Kumkumadi takes its name from it. In the range it lends a warm colour and scent, and it sits at the centre of formulas for skin that looks dull or uneven.
तिलतैलTila tailaSesamum indicum
The classical base oil. Herbs are infused into it over a low flame for hours, so the oil carries them. Light enough to sink in overnight.
घृतGhritaClarified butter of cow's milk
Washed with cool water in a copper bowl a hundred times, as in classical shatadhauta ghrita, until it turns from a firm fat into a light, cool cream for skin that feels tight or flaky.
निम्बNimbaAzadirachta indica
The bitter leaf of the neem tree, and the oil pressed from its seed. Used for skin that looks oily and for bumps on the back and shoulders.
तुलसीTulasiOcimum tenuiflorum
The basil grown in Indian courtyards. Paired with neem in the gel cleanser for a fresh, clean feel after washing.
कुमारीKumariAloe barbadensis
The cool gel from inside the leaf. It softens the cleanser so the face does not feel tight once rinsed.
मञ्जिष्ठाManjishthaRubia cordifolia
A red root, long used to dye cloth. With wild turmeric, it makes the amber spot gel for the marks pimples leave behind.
वनहरिद्राVana haridraCurcuma aromatica
A paler, fragrant cousin of kitchen turmeric that does not stain yellow the way haldi can. It goes into the spot gel.
हरिद्राHaridraCurcuma longa
Haldi, the root of every Indian kitchen and every haldi ceremony. In the body oil it joins the four barks for arms and legs that look tanned or uneven.
यष्टिमधुYashtimadhuGlycyrrhiza glabra
A sweet root, its Sanskrit name means honey stick. With saffron, it is the heart of the cream for the neck, underarms, elbows and knees.
न्यग्रोध · उदुम्बर · अश्वत्थ · प्लक्षNyagrodha, Udumbara, Ashvattha, PlakshaFicus benghalensis, F. racemosa, F. religiosa, F. microcarpa
The banyan, the cluster fig, the peepal and the white fig. Nalpamaradi is named for these four, the nalpamaram, simmered together in oil.
उशीरUshiraChrysopogon zizanioides
Khus, the grass root woven into summer screens and wetted so the breeze comes through cool. In the range it brings an earthy, cooling scent.
चन्दनChandanaSantalum album
Chandan, the pale heartwood once ground on a stone with water and smoothed on in the heat. The lotion keeps that cool, quiet scent.
वृक्षाम्लVrikshamlaGarcinia indica
Pressed from the seed of the kokum fruit of the Konkan coast. Firm at room temperature, it softens on warm skin, which makes it a good balm for heels.
मधूच्छिष्टMadhuchishtaCera alba
What the comb leaves once the honey is out. It holds the balm firm in its tin and helps it stay on rough heels overnight.
करञ्जKaranjaPongamia pinnata
Pressed from the seed of the Indian beech, a roadside tree across India. Paired with neem oil in the body bar for the back, chest and shoulders.
चणकChanakaCicer arietinum
Besan, ground from split chickpeas. The base of every ubtan, the paste smoothed on before a wedding. It buffs gently and rinses clean.
मसूरMasuraLens culinaris
Masoor dal, ground fine. It gives the ubtan a little more grain than besan alone, for rough, dull skin on the body.
शतपत्रीShatapatriRosa damascena
The hundred-petalled rose. In the ubtan it softens the earthiness of the flours and leaves the scent of rose on the skin.