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From the Forest to Your Skin: The Story of Kokum Butter and Why It Matters

April 23, 2026

Deep in the forests of Sirsi, a small purple fruit falls from an evergreen tree each summer. Most people outside coastal Karnataka have never heard of it. But for generations of tribal women who collect it, dry it, and press its seeds into a pale, solid fat, kokum has been medicine, livelihood, and kitchen staple all at once. Beeja Botanicals started because three friends in Sirsi thought that it deserved to change. Read more...

Kokum Butter & Uppage Butter: The Western Ghats' Best-Kept Secret.

April 18, 2026

Why ingredient-makers, formulators, and conscious brands are turning to two ancient forest butters and where to get them with a clear conscience. Read more...

Kokum Butter: Benefits, Uses & FAQs

Kokum butter comes from the seeds of the Garcinia indica tree, which grows in the Western Ghats of India. People have used it in Ayurveda for centuries. Beeja Botanicals gets its kokum butter straight from Sirsi, a small town in the Western Ghats, where local women handle every batch.

Kokum butter deeply hydrates skin, helps reduce inflammation, and slows signs of ageing. It also helps with dry scalp, dandruff, and hair breakage. Since it’s lightweight and doesn’t clog pores, you’ll find it in face creams, lip balms, hair oils, and even baby care products.

Kokum butter is packed with Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, Vitamin E, and antioxidants. It helps skin cells renew, protects against free-radical damage, and keeps skin hydrated without clogging pores. Using it regularly can improve skin texture, soften fine lines, and help with eczema and rashes. It works for all skin types, even sensitive or acne-prone skin.

Yes, you can use kokum butter on both your face and hair. On the face, it absorbs quickly, doesn’t clog pores, and suits oily or sensitive skin. For hair, it moisturises the scalp, strengthens roots, adds shine, and helps reduce dandruff. It’s one of the few butters that works well for both without feeling heavy.

Shea butter is richer but can feel heavy, especially on your face. Cocoa butter is hard, has a strong scent, and takes longer to absorb. Kokum butter is the lightest of the three. It absorbs quickly, doesn’t leave a greasy feel, and won’t clog pores. It also has a longer shelf life than the others.

Kokum butter has a mild, nutty, and slightly earthy scent. It’s not sharp or strong. Unrefined kokum butter keeps this natural smell, while refined versions are made to be odourless. Its subtle scent helps it blend easily into skincare products without overpowering them.

Unrefined kokum butter keeps its natural color, scent, and all its nutrients, including fatty acids and antioxidants. Refined kokum butter is processed to remove color and smell, but this also takes away some of the benefits. For skincare, unrefined is the better choice. That’s why Beeja Botanicals uses only unrefined kokum butter.

Side effects are rare. Most people tolerate kokum butter well and it seldom causes reactions. If you’re allergic to plants in the Garcinia family, try a patch test first. It’s safe to use on skin during pregnancy and for babies, but check with a doctor before using it as medicine or food.

The scientific name for kokum butter is Garcinia indica. The butter is made from the seed kernel of this fruit tree, which grows throughout the Western Ghats. In Ayurveda, it’s used to treat Pitta dosha imbalances, and almost every part of the tree, including the fruit, rind, and seed, has a known use.

Kokum butter usually lasts two years or more. It has high oxidative stability, so it stays fresh much longer than most natural butters. Keep it in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. You don’t need to refrigerate it.