Manjishtha Elixir

Manjishtha Elixir
Ayurvedic Face Oil · 15 ml

If you've spent years switching face washes and spot treatments and your skin still flares the same way, the problem may not be sitting on the surface.

In Ayurveda, Manjistha is used as a raktashodhak — a blood purifier — worked into the skin from within rather than layered on top. This elixir uses the same Sneha Paka method as the Kumkumadi Elixir, built around Manjistha root instead of saffron.

Formulated by Sheetal Panjwani over two decades of small-batch Ayurvedic practice.

How it's made

• Manjistha root, neem, and licorice reduced into a decoction before oil-making begins
• Simmered into a base oil over gentle heat using the Sneha Paka method, over several days
• Filtered through muslin by hand and bottled in small batches
• No added fragrance or colour — the deep red tint comes from the Manjistha root itself

What's inside

• Manjistha root — regarded in Ayurveda as a blood purifier; its compounds, including rubiadin and purpurin, are studied for their effect on pigment-producing enzymes and on skin healing
• Neem — compounds including nimbidin and azadirachtin studied for activity against acne-causing bacteria
• Licorice root — contains glabridin, studied for its effect on melanin production and uneven tone
• Base oil — carries the decoction into the skin; chosen for how readily it absorbs without clogging pores

How it feels

• Deep amber-red oil with an earthy, herbal scent
• Lighter than the Kumkumadi Elixir; absorbs faster and leaves less residual sheen
• Can be used on active breakouts without the stinging some acids cause

What to expect

• Redness and irritation from active breakouts often calm within a couple of weeks
• Post-breakout marks and patchy pigmentation take longer to even out — think months, not days
• This works alongside your routine, not as a replacement for a dermatologist if breakouts are severe

How to use

• Apply a few drops to clean skin, morning or night
• Can be used as a spot treatment directly on active breakouts
• Layer under moisturiser; a little covers the full face
• Use consistently for at least 4–6 weeks to judge whether it's working for you

Good to know

• No sulphates, parabens, or synthetic fragrance
• Suited to acne-prone, inflamed, or unevenly pigmented skin; also fine for normal skin
• Store in a cool, dark place; a little natural settling is normal — shake gently before use

Patch test before first use. Discontinue if irritation occurs.