Kusum oil facts for kids
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Kusum oil is a special kind of oil. It comes from the seeds of the Kusum tree. This tree is also known as the Ceylon oak, lac tree, or Macassar oil tree. Its scientific name is Schleichera oleosa. The tree belongs to a plant family called Sapindaceae. This family was named after a Swiss botanist, J. C. Schleicher. The word "oleosa" means "oily" or "rich in oil," which makes sense for a tree that gives us oil!
Kusum trees are originally from South Asia. You can also find them in some parts of Southeast Asia.
Getting the Seeds
To get the seeds for Kusum oil, people climb the Schleichera oleosa trees. They pick the bunches of fruit. After picking, the fruit pulp is removed. This is done by rubbing the fruits in water. Then, the clean seeds are left to dry.
About Kusum Oil
Kusum oil is made from these dried seeds. The oil has a yellowish-brown color. It has a very faint smell, a bit like bitter almond. When the oil sits for a while, a lighter, solid fat can separate from it.
Kusum oil contains different natural compounds. Some of these compounds, like hydrocyanic acid, are poisonous. This means the oil must be specially treated. These harmful compounds must be removed before the oil can be used for things like cooking or medicine.
How Kusum Oil is Used
Kusum oil has many uses. It is often used for hair care. People also use it for cooking and for lighting lamps. In some traditional medicines, it is used as a massage oil. It can help to relieve pain when massaged onto the skin.
