History of Kajals

The Forest Essentials Gulaab Khaas Kajal uses the ancient preparation method as described in the Vedas, to produce a deeply saturated pigment to enhance the natural shape and colour of the eyes. Kajal is one of the oldest natural beauty products used by Mughal queens, along with powders of precious stones and freshwater pearl paste to heavily line the eyes. Their beauty matched that of “Harvest Moons”, in old manuscripts with their eyes deeply contoured for emphasis. They used the natural carbon soot and charcoal to craft their bespoke kohls for a “bewitching gaze that captured many hearts.”

Ayurvedic Relevance of Kajal

The preparation and benefits of Kajal are written in Ayurvedic tenets dating back to more than 5000 years ago. It has been used as a beauty treatment by Indian women for centuries to enhance their eyes and even treat eye care concerns. Mothers apply Kajal to their baby’s eyes to ward off evil, as a sign of protection. In Ayurvedic terms, Kajal is known as Anjanam or Eye Salve. The texts of Ayurveda explain that Pitta Dosha, the element of fire and light governs our eyes. Specifically, its sub-dosha “Alochaka Pitta” lives in the eyes. Alochaka Pitta views images and colours, allowing us to absorb the visuals around us. When Alochaka Pitta is in balance, eyes are healthy, bright, clear, shiny, luminous, moist and cool.

Inspired by these Indian traditions, Forest Essentials introduces the Gulaab Khaas Kajal, a traditional Rose Petal formulation crafted by using freshly ground pastes of desi Rose Petals, Almonds, Pistachios and herbs soaked into cotton wicks to prepare natural Carbon from the flame of pure Silver Diyas containing pure Cow’s ghee. This Carbon is blended with Organic Almond and Castor Oil and several other especially prescribed ingredients to make the natural kajal according to traditional Ayurvedic processes.

About the Gulaab Khaas Kajal and Its Ingredients

The two main intrinsically Indian ingredients of this Ayurvedic kajal include pure Cow’s Ghee and fresh Rose Jal, which were traditionally used to soothe the eyes and relieve eye strain in the form of a Ghee Wash. It is prepared with the purest ingredients including Liquorice, Amlaki and Camphor with Bamboo Charcoal and Natural Carbon, that give this Ayurvedic kajal its intense colour pigmentation, also making it beneficial for the eyes. These natural ingredients in this chemical free kajal are painstakingly prepared according to traditional processes, which set it apart from its conventional counterparts available in the market.

We use the concept of Anjana Prakarana, the traditional method for keeping the eyes fresh and healthy, from the tenets of Rasatantra Saar. The Anjana process for making natural Kajal suggests using Ayurvedic ingredients and herbs including Organic Castor Oil, which has cleansing properties for the eyes. Virgin Coconut Oil is known to nourish the eyes and reduce dryness.