Supreet Kaur
18-Sep-2026
With history rooted in India's forests and a future driven by innovation, Mahua is becoming the ingredient brands are rediscovering for its nutritional, flavourful, and skincare potential.
The dry deciduous forests of India gave us a tree that not many are aware of: Mahua. It is now making an exceptional identity in the food, skincare, and wellness markets. Every part of the Mahua tree, be it the seeds, oil, or dried leaves, is used in one way or another, especially in villages and tribal communities.
Here is a comprehensive view of why the plant is gaining popularity, benefits of Mahua, and brands that are banking on it.
Understanding the Mahua Tree
Mahua (Madhuca longifolia), also known as the Butter Tree or Honey Tree, both wild and cultivated, is a large, shady, deciduous tree found across much of the central Indian landscape. Its flowers are used for food, beverages, and traditional spirits. The seeds yield oil for cosmetics and biodiesel, while its fruits, leaves, bark, and timber support food, medicine, and rural livelihoods.
Earlier, it was used as an emergency food during droughts and served as a currency for barter in tribal communities. For tribes like the Gond, Santhal, Baiga, Oraon, and Ho, Mahua is tied to festivals, weddings, rituals, and seasonal celebrations. Additionally, British forest officers often exempted Mahua trees from felling because of their immense economic importance to villages.
Commonly called Mahua, Moha, Mohua, Ippa, Illupai, and Hippe in different parts of the Indian subcontinent, Mahua is gaining recognition beyond India as a functional food. In 2022, the UK Food Standards Agency received an application to authorize Madhuca longifolia as a traditional food ingredient for products such as roasted nibs, powders, and herbal infusions. Interest in the flower is driven by its nutritional profile and long history of use in traditional medicine.
The Health Benefits of Mahua
The potential health benefits begin with its high natural sugar content, making it an energy-dense food while also supporting digestion. Its anti-inflammatory properties help reduce swelling and inflammation.
For skincare enthusiasts, the plant is a blessing! It is best suited for dry skin, minor burns, cracked heels, and eczema because of the benefits found in its extracts and oils. Lip balms, hair oils, body butters, and creams contain its seed butter. You can also find Mahua's dried flowers as part of recipes in kheer, laddoos, chutney, and herbal tea.
Indian Brands that are Using Mahua
1. Forest Essentials
Forest Essentials offers two famous solid perfumes, Raat Ki Rani and Parijat, which are infused with Mango Butter, Mahua Butter, and Organic Beeswax, giving them not only blissful fragrances but also nourishing and soothing benefits for the skin because of their rich natural ingredient
2. Sohrai
Sohrai claims that through advanced scientific validation, it has uncovered and amplified Mahua's remarkable skin benefits. Mahua Oil spreads up to 64% better than shea butter and 90% better than cocoa butter, ensuring a silky-smooth application. After extensive lab research and public volunteer testing, the brand introduced products such as the Luminous Cloud Cream, Mosquito Shield, and Miracle Oil.
3. Kasaya’s Timeless Elixir Serum
Kasaya’s Timeless Elixir Serum is a luxurious skincare essential powered by saffron, red algae, and potent botanical actives to brighten, strengthen, and restore the skin. The red algae post-biotic ferment, sesame, and mahua help reinforce the skin barrier and protect against everyday oxidative stress, while the elixir helps brighten and clarify the complexion by targeting excess melanin and reducing the appearance of dark spots.
4. DesmondJi
Mahua for Indians is what tequila is for Mexicans, and DesmondJi proves this through its two Mahua spirit variations—DJ Mahua and DJ Mahua Liqueur. Both are crafted with natural honey and spices to complement the spirit's distinctive flavour. These spirits serve as a fitting tribute to India's homeland, celebrating its rich heritage through sweet, spicy notes and a honey-infused warmth that makes every sip uniquely Indian.
5. Mohulo Gin
India’s first sipping gin is here, famously known as the Mohulo Gin, infused with the rare Mahua flower. With delicate floral aromas and subtle sweetness, it’s crafted for slow sipping—best enjoyed neat or over ice. It's a spirit born of heritage, designed for today’s discerning palate, with a smooth yet bold flavour profile.
6. Jai Jungle
Led by women, Jai Jungle merges tradition and innovation to bring Mahua to your table. Based in the forests of Jashpur, Chhattisgarh, the brand uses the natural goodness of Mahua and the rare forest grasses like Chind and Kansa through handcrafted baskets, trays, and everyday utility products, keeping indigenous skills alive while creating dignified livelihoods. Jai Jungle offers more than 20 Mahua-based products across food and beverages, wellness, gifting, pantry, snacks, and bakery categories.
