AYURVEDIC CASTOR BODY OIL
Gandharvahasthadi Castor Oil
Gandharvahasthadi Castor Oil, a classical Ayurvedic body oil, prepared in a castor oil base with barley and ginger.
Gandharvahasthadi Castor Oil is a classical Ayurvedic herbal oil, prepared by Art of Vedas as a body oil in a castor oil base with barley and ginger, worked into the skin. This page sets out what the oil is, the classical tradition it belongs to, and the heavy-metal and microbiological test results recorded for every batch.
What Gandharvahasthadi Castor Oil is
Gandharvahasthadi Castor Oil is a classical Ayurvedic herbal oil, prepared by Art of Vedas as a body oil for external use. It is anhydrous, meaning it contains no added water, so no preservative is needed. It is made in India under Good Manufacturing Practice, following ISO 22716 principles, and is not tested on animals. It carries a period after opening of 12 months and is offered in a 200 ml size.
Gandharvahasthadi Castor Oil is non-vegan: it is prepared with milk in the classical method. It carries no fragrance allergens above the labelling threshold beyond those declared in the ordered ingredient list.
Gandharvahasthadi Castor Oil in classical Ayurveda
Gandharvahasthadi Castor Oil takes its place among the classical oils recorded in the Ayurvedic literature, prepared in a castor oil base.
It is prepared by the classical Sneha Paka method, in which the herbs are cooked slowly into the oil base until only the oil and its herbal actives remain. In the tradition it is applied externally to the body, worked in gently.
Art of Vedas presents its preparation within that classical frame, describing the practice rather than any outcome, and tests it with every batch.
Quality and testing
Tested with every batch
Every production batch of Gandharvahasthadi Castor Oil is tested before it is released for sale: heavy metals by ICP-MS, and microbiological safety against ISO 17516:2014. The figures below are representative results; every batch is retested before release.
Heavy metals
Five heavy metals were tested by ICP-MS, each within the permitted limit for products left on the skin. The right-hand column shows the maximum level allowed under German BfR guidance.
| Metal | Result | Permitted maximum |
|---|---|---|
| Lead (Pb) | Within the permitted limit | max 2 mg/kg |
| Cadmium (Cd) | Within the permitted limit | max 0.1 mg/kg |
| Mercury (Hg) | Within the permitted limit | max 0.1 mg/kg |
| Arsenic (As) | Within the permitted limit | max 0.5 mg/kg |
| Nickel (Ni) | Within the permitted limit | max 5 mg/kg |
ICP-MS is inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Limits shown are German BfR guidance values for products left on the skin, in milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg).
Microbiological safety
Microbiological safety is tested against ISO 17516:2014. Overall microbial counts stay within the limits for products left on the skin, and the specified organisms were each absent.
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Total Aerobic Microbial Count | Within the EU limit |
| Total Yeast and Mould Count | Within the EU limit |
| Escherichia coli (E. coli) | Absent (not found) |
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa | Absent (not found) |
| Staphylococcus aureus (Staph) | Absent (not found) |
| Candida albicans | Absent (not found) |
ISO 17516:2014 sets the microbiological limits; the thresholds for products left on the skin apply to this oil.
Further assurances
- An anhydrous, water-free oil, so it needs no added preservatives.
- Made in India under Good Manufacturing Practice, following ISO 22716 principles; not tested on animals.
- Tested for heavy metals by ICP-MS and for microbiological safety to ISO 17516:2014, with every batch.
Full ingredients
The complete INCI list, given in order. The base is castor oil, carrying the extracts of the classical herbs:
Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Hordeum Vulgare (Barley) Extract, Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract.
Gandharvahasthadi Castor Oil is non-vegan: it is prepared with milk in the classical method. It carries no fragrance allergens above the labelling threshold beyond those declared in the ordered ingredient list. For external use only.
Product details
- Net content: 200 ml.
- Period after opening: 12 months.
- Made in India.
Precautions
- For external use only. Do not use internally.
- Avoid contact with the eyes. If contact occurs, rinse with water.
- Keep out of reach of children.
- If irritation occurs, discontinue use.
- Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
Gandharvahasthadi Castor Oil: questions on quality, testing and use
- What is Gandharvahasthadi Castor Oil?
- Gandharvahasthadi Castor Oil is a classical Ayurvedic herbal oil, prepared by Art of Vedas as an anhydrous body oil in a castor oil base, for external use, offered in a 200 ml size. It contains no added water and no preservative.
- Is Gandharvahasthadi Castor Oil tested for heavy metals?
- Yes. Every batch is tested for five heavy metals by ICP-MS. Lead, Cadmium, Mercury, Arsenic and Nickel were each within the permitted limit for products left on the skin, benchmarked against German BfR guidance.
- Is Gandharvahasthadi Castor Oil tested for microbiological safety?
- Yes, to ISO 17516:2014. Total Aerobic Microbial Count and Total Yeast and Mould Count stay within the limits for products left on the skin, and Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans are each absent.
- Is Gandharvahasthadi Castor Oil vegan?
- Gandharvahasthadi Castor Oil is non-vegan: it is prepared with milk in the classical method. It carries no fragrance allergens above the labelling threshold beyond those declared in the ordered ingredient list.
- How is Gandharvahasthadi Castor Oil used?
- A small amount of the oil is worked gently into the skin. It is for external use only; avoid contact with the eyes.
ART OF VEDAS
Bring Gandharvahasthadi Castor Oil into your ritual
The classical castor body oil of Ayurveda, tested with every batch. See the sizes, the full details and availability.
Responsible Person and distribution
Responsible Person (EU): Svedica B.V., Herengracht 449A, 1017BR Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
EU Distributor: Authentic Ayurveda d.o.o., Slavka Krautzeka 51, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia.
Gandharvahasthadi Castor Oil by Art of Vedas: a classical castor body oil of Ayurveda, tested for heavy metals and microbiological safety with every batch.
