Tribal Sangha
Kochi Lemongrass Essential Oil
Kochi Lemongrass Essential Oil
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Known in our regional hills by the name കൊച്ചി പുൽത്തൈലം (Kochi Pulthailam), lemongrass has grown wild across these landscapes for as long as memory can recall. It is native to the high-altitude mountain ranges of the Western Ghats, nearly 2,000 meters above sea level. Here, intense monsoon rains and nutrient-rich soil give the lemongrass a distinct, potent character.
Our forefathers used to say that their ancestors — പൂർവികർ (Poorvikar) — first steeped these wild leaves in hot water as a refreshing drink. With time, as the grass found its way into their കുടിൽ (mud homes), the leaves were boiled and added to bath water on special occasions. During the heavy monsoon rains, the crushed paste of the grass was mixed into the cow-dung floors of their കുടിൽ (mud homes) to keep insects away.
It was during these daily rituals with the boiling cauldrons that they noticed something unusual: when the simmering lemongrass water met the cold mountain air, a thin oily layer would rise gently to the surface.
Driven by that innate curiosity, their ancestors — പൂർവികർ — hand-forged a primitive iron distillation still, working entirely from intuition, without a single blueprint. That very craft, slowly perfected through generations of trial and error, remains at the heart of how our lemongrass oil is traditionally distilled today.
General Specifications
General Specifications
Species : Cymbopogon Flexuosus
Origin : Western Ghats, Kerala
Elevation : 2,000 meters above sea level
Distillation : Traditional tribal iron still
Distilled from : Dried Lemongrass leaves
Biomass used : 100 kg per distillation
Output : 300–400 ml of essential oil
Shelf life : 2 years from date of bottling
Signature Aroma
Signature Aroma
On the first breath, it is bright and citrusy — a clean, vibrant zest that carries the freshness of lemon and sweet orange combined. Beneath it rests a warm, earthy undertone that grounds the aroma gently, holding the memory of the wild mountain soil it grew in. And at the very edge, barely lingering, lives a faint whisper of spice reminiscent of fresh ginger.
This is what makes the oil feel both uplifting and grounding at once. It brightens a space quietly, leaving behind an atmosphere that feels calm, alive, and refreshing — the kind of aroma often found in places designed to be experienced: lounges, retreats, boutique spaces, restaurants and wellness spas.
Traditional Benefits
Traditional Benefits
- Uplifts mood and calms the pulse.
- Strengthens hair roots and soothes an itchy, dry scalp
- Tones the skin and controls excess sebum
- Eases joint and muscle discomfort
- Keeps the body fresh and aromatic after an oil-diluted bath
- Repels mosquitoes and insects naturally
- Refreshes and purifies any living space
How To Use Them
How To Use Them
Steam diffusion : 6-8 drops or more, depending on the diffuser. Let the essence of Kerala's hillside refresh your abode with its sweet zesty aroma.
Muscle and joint relief : 3–4 drops in a carrier oil, massaged into sore or tired areas after work or physical exertion.
Bath : 5–6 drops blended with carrier oil, added to bath water. The oldest use our ancestors made of this grass — the scent of the hillside, carried on the body.
Hair and scalp care : Blend 4–5 drops with a carrier oil and massage gently into the scalp to soothe an itchy scalp and strengthen hair roots.
Skin care : Blend just a drop with two scoops of aloe gel and apply gently on the face to tighten the pores and control excess sebum.
Insect repellent : add 4–6 drops in the corner of any space infested with the mosquitoes and insects — a natural and effective repellent to drive them away.
DIY : Ideal for soaps, candles, room sprays, shampoos, and other value-added products.
GC Test Document
GC Test Document
Every batch of our lemongrass essential oil is sent to CSIR-CIMAP, Hyderabad for Gas Chromatography testing.
Every plant compound is identified and measured. Every batch is confirmed for purity and adulteration is confirmed to be absent.
The complete GC report is published openly within the product catalogue — because an oil made honestly, deserves to be verified the same way.
From Our Hands
From Our Hands
You hold the Pulthailam that waited three days to be distilled and then slowly drawn from the iron still by a fire, which our community has been lighting for generations.
After the harvest, our sangha gathers the freshly cut lemongrass and carries it uphill along a steep rocky path to the cliff-top distillation site, where the old iron still waits above the farms. It is then partially dried for the next three days, away from harsh sunlight.
Once dried, 100 kilograms are packed tightly into the still. The heavy lid is sealed with clay and mud. Dry firewood is placed beneath the furnace and lit, heating the iron vessel over the course of 4–5 hours.
In the chill of the mountain evening, the distillation continues patiently into night — and gradually, the oil rises to the surface of the receiver, pure and amber.
From 100 kilograms of lemongrass leaves, only 300 to 400 milliliters of oil is obtained.
The Pulthailam is then skimmed carefully by hand and collected by our Sangha.
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