Scelerocarya birrea, also known as Marula, is indigenous to the African continent and is one of Africa's botanical treasures. It is found in parts of southern Africa, West Africa, and Madagascar. Its history dates back to thousands of years, and the archaeological evidence shows its use as a food source as far back as 10,000 years BC. The tree is highly revered and protected by African natives. In many areas, it is regarded as sacred, and in rural areas such as northern Namibia, it acts as the spiritual center of villages. Locals used the tree for everything from food and fodder to making beauty treatments, dyes, insecticides, medicines, and construction materials. 

The Marula tree is a part of the same botanical family that consists of Pistachio, Mango, and Cashew. It produces plum-like fruit with the oil extracted from kernels in its stones. Marula kernels are cold-pressed to extract the miracle Marula Oil. African women have traditionally used marula Oil for generations for its skin-smoothing and moisturizing properties. They also used it as a shampoo for dry, damaged, and fragile hair. 

Rightly known as ‘The Elixir of Youth’ and ‘The African Beauty Secret’, Marula Oil is gaining popularity in the beauty industry for its potent moisturizing, anti-aging, protective, and repairing properties. It is probably the richest plant source of omega 9 fatty acid, which provides intense nourishment and long-lasting hydration without making the skin greasy. It is particularly beneficial for those with dry, cracked, dehydrated, or mature skin. It is a powerhouse of antioxidants, including sterols, flavonoids, and tannins, which battle the effects of oxidative damage and prevent fine lines and wrinkles. The oil is also known to support the skin’s natural healing process, soothe irritated and itchy skin, heal sunburns, and fade blemishes and scars. 

Marula Oil offers excellent benefits for hair as well - it soothes dry and irritated scalp, prevents dandruff, tames frizzy hair and flyaways, makes hair lustrous, prevents split-ends, and protects against damage from UV radiation, heat, and hair styling products. Marula Oil also provides all-round nourishment to the cuticles, nail bed, and the skin surrounding the nails, thereby preventing brittle nails and cracked skin.

Details:

Scientific name – Sclerocarya birrea

Aroma – Warm, nutty, pleasant

Color – Light orangish-yellow

Consistency – Light to Medium

Absorption – High