Ben oil

Behenöl ( ancient Egyptian Baq, or Baqet ) is a vegetable oil of horseradish tree ( Moringa oleifera ). It has its name because of its oil content of behenic acid. Information about the Behenöl (also Benöl, Soringaöl, moringa ) date back to antiquity.

Origins

In ancient Egypt, the Behenöl was imported in accordance with inscriptions of the 6th dynasty from northern Asia, and is the first time under King (Pharaoh) Sahura occupied. The transportation was always filled in Henkel jugs and kept it been widely used in Gravidenflaschen.

The odorless and sweet-tasting oil that has been extracted from the nuts of the Moringabaumes, the ancient Egyptians used as an additive in cooking, as a perfume ( Kyphi ), as ointment cone at Balsamierungen or in medicine.

Further use

About the Moringa tree, originally from India, where it grows at the foot of the Himalayas, was already reported in the ancient Vedas 5000 years ago and the Ayurveda says that Moringa can cure over 300 diseases. The application of Benöles already took in the traditional Ayurvedic medicine is a high priority. As a cooking oil Moringa is mainly used in India and Africa.

In the cosmetic is used for moringa basis for ointments and creams, and in the production of maceration and enfleurage the for the production of essential oils and ointments. In addition to the high stability of the oil possesses also fragrance -fixing properties and actual therefore as an ingredient in cosmetics (INCI: MORINGA OLEIFERA SEED OIL).

The extremely stable oil was used until the 19th century as a fine mechanical lubricating oil in the watch industry, mainly in Switzerland and Germany. As a food, Behenöl was ousted in 1920 by the much cheaper olive oil from the European market. However, it is the best known stable vegetable oil.