oil stories — saffron
Saffron, the Golden Flower:
A 1,000-Year-Old Beauty Oil Story
Saffron, the highly prized spice known for its golden hue in dishes like saffron rice, is more than just a culinary star. In India, for over 1,000 years, it has been the main ingredient in a legendary skincare product hailed as the "pinnacle of beauty oils." This is the story of Kumkumadi Oil, the golden oil known to those in the know.
Just how precious
is saffron, anyway?
Saffron is derived from the stigmas of the purple crocus flower. Each of these three red threads is meticulously hand-picked. It takes approximately 150 flowers to gather just 1 gram, earning it the reputation as the "world's most expensive spice" and being "worth its weight in gold."
So, why has such a precious flower been used not only in cooking but also in beauty? There's a proper reason for it.
Trivia ① Saffron was a flower that "brightened" the skin
The primary reason saffron has been valued in beauty lies in its ability to enhance skin brightness and translucency.
Research has shown that crocins and crocetin, the components responsible for saffron's golden color, help inhibit factors that can make skin appear dull. In fact, one study reported a noticeable improvement in skin brightness indicators after an 8-week trial using a cream formulated with saffron extract.
The age-old saying among Indian women, "saffron for glowing skin," was indeed supported by its active ingredients.
Trivia ② Saffron was a double-threat, also involved in "firmness"
Saffron's remarkable qualities extend beyond just brightness.
Research indicates that saffron components also work to protect and promote collagen, which is responsible for skin firmness. Because it influences both brightness and firmness, saffron has been positioned at the pinnacle of beauty, not merely as a coloring agent, but as the "flower of youthfulness."
Trivia ③ A 1,000-year-old recipe, "Kumkumadi Oil"
With saffron as its star, there is a legendary beauty oil that has been passed down for over 1,000 years with virtually no changes to its recipe. This is Kumkumadi Oil (Kumkumadi Taila).
"Kumkuma" means saffron in Sanskrit. Thus, Kumkumadi literally means "oil primarily made of saffron." Despite being a luxurious formulation containing dozens of herbs, it bears the name of saffron, which proves that saffron is the absolute star of this recipe.
The recipe involves adding renowned beauty herbs like sandalwood, licorice, and amla to saffron, and then slowly infusing them in sesame oil. Hailed as the "pinnacle of beauty oils" in Ayurveda and beloved by Indian royalty and nobles, it is truly a golden elixir.
Most Important Trivia ④ Modern Science Has Begun to Confirm the Legend
"A beauty method from 1,000 years ago? That's just an old wives' tale, isn't it?" You might think so. However, in recent years, studies have emerged that investigate Kumkumadi Oil itself on human skin.
One study reported improvements in indicators of skin brightness, redness, and elasticity after using Kumkumadi Oil for a certain period. Of course, extensive research is still needed, but the golden recipe that has been believed to be effective through experience for 1,000 years is slowly beginning to be explained in scientific terms.
People chose the right flower without knowing the reasons or mechanisms behind it. And modern science is now catching up. The story of saffron once again makes us feel the power of traditional wisdom.
People chose the right flower
without knowing why.
Nagaraja and
the Secret Story of Saffron Oil Development
Nagaraja created "Saffron Under Moonlight," a night facial oil, based on the philosophy of Kumkumadi Oil. This bottle embodies the desire to bring 1,000 years of wisdom to modern Japanese nights, filling the skin with moisture overnight, preventing dullness caused by dryness, and leading to a brighter, clearer complexion.
The origin of this oil dates back to when the developer was still in India, exploring the secrets of scalp oil. Among the handmade beauty oils of the female doctor who provided the scalp oil recipe, there was a particularly small and expensive bottle.
When asked why this oil was so expensive, she replied—
"That's because it's saffron oil."
I had heard about saffron from other doctors before, but I only received vague answers like "saffron is good for all beauty," so I didn't fully understand its benefits. However, when I asked that female doctor, she said it was good for all skin concerns, including dullness. That's when I first truly understood the benefits of saffron.
After I started using saffron oil, my skin troubles calmed down, and I stopped getting pimples as often. Impressed by this, I tried to develop it along with the scalp oil, but at the time, I gave up due to difficulties in sourcing raw materials and re-formulating it successfully for the Japanese market.
Later, all the problems were resolved during the development of the scalp oil, and we were finally able to procure the raw materials and complete it. The developer personally brought this impressive ingredient to Japan and formulated it uniquely.
Nagaraja is applying these ancient and cherished plants, not as trendy ingredients, but as golden flowers passed down for 1,000 years, one by one to modern beauty.
Nagaraja's night facial oil with saffron oil is scheduled for pre-order sales from around autumn!