India's pioneering G.M.P-certified Unani manufacturer — since 1995.
India's pioneering G.M.P-certified Unani manufacturer — since 1995.
by Syed Fuzail Irshad
Almost every Indian household has a bottle of roghan badam shirin tucked away somewhere. It's one of those oils that gets passed down through generations, but ask most people exactly how to use it and you'll get a vague answer at best. Usually something like "just put it in your hair" or "my mother used it on us as babies."
That's fair, but it leaves out a lot. So here's an actual breakdown of how this oil is used and why it's stayed relevant for so long despite the market being flooded with newer, flashier products.
Roghan badam shirin is the Unani term for sweet almond oil. Roghan means oil, badam means almond, and shirin means sweet. This matters because there's also roghan badam talkh, or bitter almond oil, and the two are not interchangeable. Bitter almond oil is used very differently and in much smaller quantities, so if you're buying online, double-check the label.
The sweet version is cold-pressed and has a light texture. It doesn't sit on the skin the way mustard oil or coconut oil sometimes does. This is probably the main reason it has remained a staple for hair and skin care across generations rather than getting replaced by something else.
This is where most people start.
Warm a small amount in your palms before applying it; you don't need to heat it on a stove. Section your hair and work the oil into your scalp with your fingertips using slow circular motions. Give it a good five to ten minutes; this is really where most of the benefit comes from since it stimulates blood flow to the scalp.
After that, you can leave it in for an hour or so, or overnight if that works better for you (just put a towel on your pillow). When washing it out, a mild shampoo is usually enough; you shouldn't need to shampoo twice since the oil isn't heavy.
A lot of people apply it two or three times a week. Daily use isn't necessary and can honestly feel like overkill.
The oil works reasonably well as a light moisturiser, particularly right after a shower when your skin is still a little damp. It helps lock in moisture better that way. On the face, less is more; a few drops massaged in gently at night are plenty.
It's also decent for rough patches on elbows, heels, or knees, areas that tend to dry out faster than the rest of the body.
This is arguably the most traditional use of all. Baby massage with roghan badam shirin is common across a lot of South Asian households, often as part of a pre-bath routine.
Warm a little between your palms first, then use gentle strokes on the arms, legs, and torso. Most parents avoid the face unless a paediatrician has said it's fine. Ten to fifteen minutes before bath time is a fairly typical routine.
One thing worth repeating here: always patch test first, even with a natural oil. Every baby's skin is different, and it's better to catch a reaction on a small patch of skin than after applying it all over.
Not many people know this, but the oil isn't just for external use. In a lot of Unani and Ayurvedic households, a small amount is taken orally too.
How it's taken: A teaspoon of roghan badam shirin stirred into a glass of warm milk, usually at night. It's an old household habit, the kind grandmothers swear by.
Brain health: Almond oil is often associated with supporting memory and overall brain function, which is why it's traditionally given to students during exam season, alongside a balanced diet, not as a replacement for one.
Digestion: It has a mild natural laxative effect, so taken in small quantities, it can help with occasional constipation. This is one of its more well-known traditional uses, though it's meant to be a gentle, occasional aid rather than a daily fix.
A word of caution: Oral use should stay to small amounts, roughly a teaspoon at most. It's worth checking with a doctor first if you're pregnant, on medication, or giving it to children. What works well for skin and hair doesn't automatically mean more is better when it comes to consuming it.
Patch test before regular use, especially if there's any history of nut allergies in the family. Keep the bottle away from direct sunlight and store it somewhere cool; it keeps the oil from going rancid too quickly. And don't go overboard with quantity. A little really does go a long way here, and using too much just leaves things feeling greasy rather than nourished.
If you're looking for a reliable option, Rex Remedies' Roghan Badam Shirin is cold-pressed and made for regular use across hair, skin, and baby care.
Yes, it's one of the more commonly used oils for this. It helps keep the scalp moisturised, may reduce dryness and flakiness, and is often used as a pre-wash massage oil. Because it's lighter than a lot of other oils, it doesn't leave that heavy residue behind, which is why people tend to stick with it long-term.
It is, and this is honestly one of its oldest uses. Infant massage with roghan badam shirin is a long-standing tradition in many Indian and South Asian homes because it's gentle and absorbs quickly. Still, do a patch test first and check with your paediatrician, particularly if there's a family history of nut allergies.