Tuvaraka taila is one of the most used medicines from the treasure of Ayurveda. The oil extracted from the seeds of the ripened fruit of Tuvaraka is mentioned as the potential healer for many skin disorders. 

Description of Tuvaraka plant

Botanical name; Hydnocarpus laurifolia/ Hydnocarpus wightiana

Family; Flacourtiaceae.

Vernacular names

Kannada; Garuda phala

Hindi; Chalmogra, Chalmoogra

Classical reference

पत्रैस्तुकेसराकारैकलायसद्र्शैफलैः |

वृक्षस्तुवरकोनामपश्चिमार्नवतीरजह् |

कलायसंमितफलःकलायसद्र्शच्छदः|

गुनैररुष्करसमोवृक्षस्तुवरकःस्मृतः |

तैवरंकटुकंपाकेकषायोष्णंकफापहं|

कृमिकुष्ठज्वरानाहमेहार्शोव्रुन्हशोफजित् |                                 

          Kaiya deva nigantu

Qualities of Tuvaraka taila

1. Rasa; katu, tikta, kashaya
2. Guna; snigda and teekshna
3. Virya; ushna
4. Vipaka; katu
5. Effect on doshas; kaphahara

Tuvaraka taila uses

1. Krimi; worm infestation

2. Kusta; skin diseases

3. Jwara; fever

4. Anaha; abdominal distension

5. Meha; diabetes mellitus

6. Arsha; haemorrhoids

7. Vrina; wound

8. Shopha; Inflammations

9. Gridrasi; sciatica

10. Gandamala

11. Gulma; abdominal lumps

12. Udara; ascites

13. Udavartha; regurgitation

14. Kaphavataja roga; diseases related to vata and kapha.

Acharya Sushruta and Vagbhata have classified the plant under ubhayatho bhagahara, which is useful in both vamana and virechana treatment. It is capable of expelling the doshas in both oral and anal route.

Sanskrit synonyms

1. Kusta vairi; enemy of skin diseases

2. Katu kapittha; pungent tasting 

3. Alasakapaha; resolves indigestion

Pharmacological preparations of Tuvaraka taila

1. Tuvaraka taila

2. Eladi taila

3. Jatamayadi choorna

4. Nisoshiradi tailam

Mode of usage

External application over the affected area

Internal administration; 5 – 10 drops twice a day before food with warm water

Research article on Tuvaraka taila

1. Psoriasis

A clinical study on psoriasis patients who were given Tuvaraka rasayana after shodana karma showed significant improvement in skin lesions and other psoriatic symptoms.

2. Eczema

It is characterized by blackish-brown eruptions over the skin associated with itching and excessive exudation. The affected skin is red and swollen with ill-defined margins, papules, vesicles and blisters, exudation and cracking, thickening, lichenification, fissure and scratch marks. A case study done on this condition has shown good results with Tuvaraka taila.

3. Non-healing wound

Tuvaraka taila in combination with other oil preparations like Mahamarichyadi taila, Maha trinaka taila, Nimba taila, Karpoora taila, Karanja taila and Jaitoon taila found highly effective in long-standing non-healing ulcers.

4. Fungal infection

A clinical study concluded that Tuvaraka taila has shown promising results in relieving inflammation and stopping the oozing burning and itching related to fungal infection

5. Acne vulgaris/ rosacea

Tuvaraka taila is also found to be very effective in acne-related problems.