Yangu oil, extracted from the seeds of the Calodendrum capense tree in South Africa, is used in health and beauty products due to its mild aroma and UV protection. It is used in skin care regimens and as a soap additive, and is being researched for its potential to penetrate hair shafts.
Yangu is from the Rutaceae family of plants. It is an African tree used for a profuse flower display in areas of South Africa, specifically in areas of the Cape. While not closely related to the buckeye, explorer William Burchell saw a similarity between the flowers and fruit and named the Calodendrum capense tree the “cape chestnut.” Chestnut fruits split open when fully ripe and release small black seeds. Yangu oil is typically extracted by cold pressing these dried seeds. The oil is used in the health and beauty industry and is known as Yangu essential oil.
Yangu oil has a mild aroma and a clear to pale yellow appearance. After cold pressing, the oil that is harvested is used in a variety of health and beauty items, such as hair oil, massage oil and soaps, and as an essential oil. It is widely used in skin care regimens as an herbal home remedy for sunburn and dry skin. It also has an ultraviolet (UV) protector with essential oils and antioxidants.
This herbal remedy has found its way into natural cosmetics, organic hand and body treatments, and many commercial beauty salons. Many spas now offer it as one of their many varieties of massage oil, as well as in beauty salons as a treatment product. However, not all spas offer this oil, so it is advisable to call before any spa visit to see if they offer Yangu oil in their treatments. It can be a natural sunscreen when worked on the skin on a regular basis.
The oil is also non-toxic and non-drying, which is why it is often used as a soap additive, especially in homemade organic facial soaps and shampoos. When combined with cleansing agents, it has the ability to add mildness and lessen the drying effects of most soaps. African salons have been using Cape chestnut oils in soaps, cosmetics, massage oils, and essential oils, and even applying it directly to the hair. Coconut oil has also been used for hair because it can prevent protein loss by binding with the proteins in the hair and penetrating the hair shaft. Now research is looking into Yangu oil for this very purpose, to see if it will penetrate hair shafts and coconut oil.
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