Somraji Taila (oil) for skin diseases

Somraji Taila or Oil is an Ayurvedic herbal oil which contains many herbs and applied externally to cure various skin diseases. The chief ingredient of this oil is Somaraji (also known as Bakuchi, Sugandha Kantak or Babchi).

Somaraji is the dry ripe seed of Psoralea corylifolia Linn. of Leguminosae family, an erect, 0.3-1.8 m. high annual herb, distributed throughout India, found commonly in Uttar Pradesh, Bengal, and Maharashtra. The seeds contain evaporable oil, stable oil, resin and two crystalline elements called psoralen. The seeds oil of Bakuchi plant is useful in leukoderma, vitiligo, leprosy, psoriasis and inflammatory diseases of the skin.

Babchi helps in vitiligo, hypopigmented lesions or leucoderma as its chief constituent psoralen is a photoactive furocoumarin that binds to DNA when exposed to UV light to form photoproducts with pyrimidine base. This action inhibits DNA synthesis and causes a decrease in cell proliferation and hence spread of leukoderma patches.

Here is given more about this medicine, such as benefits, indication/therapeutic uses, composition and how to use.

• Reference Text: Bhaishajya Ratnavali, Kushtha rogadhikara (for the treatment of Kushtha Roga)
• Synonyms: Somraji Tel
• Availability:  Online and at medical stores
• Type of medicine: Classical Medicine
• Main Indication: Skin diseases e.g. eczema, itching, vitiligo, psoriasis, hypopigmented lesions

Kushtha Roga is the term given for dermatological disorders in Ayurveda. Kushtha Roga is divided into two groups, Mahakushtha, and Kshudrakushtha which further divided into seven types and eleven types respectively.

Kushtha Roga is considered as a Papakarmaja Vyadhi (a disease due to sinful activities) and a Kulaja Vikara (a hereditary disorder) in Ayurveda.

Ayurveda emphasizes on three-fold therapeutic management of the diseases namely Samshodhana (bio-purification), Samshamana (pacification) and Nidana Parivarjana (avoiding causative factors) for almost all types of disorders including dermatological disorders.

The recommended diet for the patients of Kushtha Roga includes old wheat, old barley, pulses like Moonga, Masoor, Arhar, honey, Patola, Neem, garlic, Triphala, old Ghrita and diet rich in Tikta Rasa.

Ingredients of Somraji Oil

1. Somaraji (Bakuchi) (Sd.) 24 g
2. Haridra (Rz.) 24 g
3. Daruharidra (St.) 24 g
4. Sarshapa (Sd.) 24 g
5. Kushtha (Rt.) 24 g
6. Karanja (Sd.) 24 g
7. Edagajabija (Chakramarda) (Sd.) 24 g
8. Aragvadha (Lf.) 24 g
9. Sarshapa taila (Ol.) 768 g
10. Water 3.072 l

Know the Ingredients

Psoralea corylifolia (Assam: Habucha; Beng: Bakuchi, Somraji, Hakucha Veeja; Guj: Bavachi; Hindi: Bakuchi, Bavachi, Babchi; Kan: Bauchige) is used in Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Chinese medicine for treating skin diseases such as leukoderma, skin rashes, infections, and others.

Bakuchi contains bakuchinol (phenol), psoralen, isopsoralen, psorelidin, isopsoralidin, dehydroisopsoralidin, and corylifolen. The furanocoumarins, which contain psoralens, promote pigmentation when applied topically. It improves the color of the skin, hair, and nails.  Bakuchi increases the rate of synthesis and amount of melanin and encourages the skin to recover from a vitiliginous state.  Ultraviolet rays (of early morning sunlight) exposure on the affected area of the skin promote the growth and proliferation of melanocyte.

Sarshapa (Sarishaa, Sarasiya, Kadukuenna, Shirsiche, Kaduguennai, Aavanune) Taila consists of the fixed oil expressed from clean and healthy seeds of Brassica campestris L. (Fam. Brassicaceae), cultivated widely in India. It is also known as Katu Sneha, Katu Taila, Kaduva Taila, and Mustard Oil. It is pale yellow oil with a slightly pungent recalling sulfurous odor. It is oily/Snehana, good for the skin. Tvachya, Vatahara, and pain relieving/Vedanasthapana. It is hot in potency and used both internally and externally.

Mustard Oil, is used in case of Karnaroga (disease of ear), Kandu (itching), Kotha (ringworm / Impetigo / Erythema), Krmi (worm infestation), Kushtha (Leprosy / diseases of the skin), Shvetakushtha (Leucoderma), Tvakroga (skin diseases), Vata vikara (disorder due to Vata dosha) and Vrana (ulcer).

Haridra is turmeric. Turmeric is an excellent herb for all types of skin problems. It has antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, skin lightening and astringent action. Turmeric strengthens connective tissue. It also stimulates the formation of healthy tissues and regeneration of muscles.

Here, its role is to protect the skin from the irritating effects of Bakuchi and as an emollient.

Daruharidra (Berberis aristata) is considered similar to Curcuma longa in therapeutic properties and used in parasitic infections, skin diseases including ulcers. It has broad-spectrum antibiotic properties and is against Gram-positive bacteria.

Chakramarda has similar properties and are popular for skin disorders and have potent antimicrobial and antiallergic properties.

Kushta (Saussurea lappa) is used for chronic skin diseases. The root is used as an ingredient in pastes and ointments for ringworm and other cutaneous eruptions.

Important Therapeutic Uses of Somraji Oil

Somraji Taila is a classical Ayurvedic herbal oil used in the treatment of skin conditions such as itching, eczema, Vitiligo, etc.

Vitiligo is a skin condition characterized by progressive, idiopathic, white patches on the skin. The exact cause for this condition is not known but it may be due to immune system problems.  Vitiligo happens because the cells (melanocytes) that give color to the skin get destroyed. It can begin at any age, but in about 50% of the patients, it starts before the age of 20. There is no specific cure for vitiligo, but there are many ways in which the symptoms can be controlled.

1. Dadru (Daad, ringworm, dermatophytosis, fungal infection of the skin)
2. Dushta Vrana (non-healing ulcer)
3. Facial chloasma ( patchy brown or dark brown skin discoloration that usually occurs on the face )
4. Kandu (itching), kacchu (itching)
5. Kushtha (diseases of the skin)
6. Leprosy (chronic, mildly contagious granulomatous disease of tropical and subtropical regions, caused by the bacillus Mycobacterium leprae, characterized by ulcers of the skin, bone, and viscera and leading to loss of sensation, paralysis, gangrene, and deformation)
7. Melanoderma (abnormal darkening of the skin caused by deposition of excess melanin or of metallic substances)
8. Melasma (patchy brown discoloration of the skin on the face)
9. Nadivrana (fistula, abnormal or surgically made passage between a hollow or tubular organ and the body surface, or between two hollow or tubular organs)
10. Nilika (mole, is a growth on the skin that develops when pigment cells (melanocytes) grow in clusters)
11. Pama (eczema, patches of the skin become rough and inflamed with blisters which cause itching and bleeding)
12. Pidaka (carbuncle, abscess or multiple boils in the skin, typically infected with staphylococcus bacteria.)
13. Scabies (contagious skin disease marked by itching and small raised red spots, caused by the itch mite)
14. Vatarakta (gout)
15. Vitiligo
16. Vyanga (pigmentation disorder, disturbances of human skin color, either loss or reduction, which may be related to loss of melanocytes or the inability of melanocytes to produce melanin or transport melanosomes correctly)

How to use Somraji Taila?

1. This oil is for EXTERNAL USE only.
2. Wash and dry affected area.
3. Apply on the affected area.
4. In the case of leukoderma after application expose to sunlight.
5. The treatment is continued for one year.

Suggestions, Contraindications, Interactions, Side-effects, and Warnings

1. This oil is for external use only.
2. It must not be taken internally.
3. Do a patch test before use. Apply the oil and expose to sunlight for a few minutes. Clean the patch and wait for one week. If no irritation, rash, sensitivity occur on the tested area then you may use the oil on other affected parts.
4. It can be used for a long duration.
5. It should be stored in well-closed containers away from heat, preferably 20-25 degree Celsius.
6. Keep out of reach of children.
7. Discontinue if hypersensitivity occurs.
8. Include Cow Milk and Ghee, Moong, Parwal, Rice, Spinach, Methi and easily digestive food items in the diet.
9. Avoid/do not eat, Jaggery, Sesame (Til), Curd, Raw Tomato, Raw Onion, Raw Garlic, Citrus Fruits such as Lemon, Oranges, Pickles, Chilies, Fish, Brinjal, Jackfruit, Heavy Diets, etc.
10. Avoid Tea, Coffee, Alcoholic Beverages and all condiments and highly flavored dishes.

Pharmacies Making Somraji Tel

• You can buy this medicine online or from medical stores. Since it is a classical medicine, it is manufactured by many Ayurvedic pharmacies.
• Name of some of the Ayurvedic Pharmacies manufacturing this medicine is given below:
• Baidyanath Somraji Tel
• Patanjali Divya Pharmacy Somraaji Taila
• and many other Ayurvedic pharmacies.