MARULA. If you haven’t heard of it, you will soon because it’s one of the most sought-after elixirs in the world. MARULA is a tree, but, not just any tree. It is one of the oldest trees known to man dating back to 10,000 BC and is indigenous to the grasslands of southern Africa and Madagascar.

Marula oil is an ancient natural medicine that has long been kept a secret from mainstream health and culture. With people turning away from synthetics for a more clean and natural approach, the “clean” ingredients market is seeing a rapid increase in growth. We know that synthetics can cause hormone imbalances in people, so just imagine what they can do to your pet too. 

The thick yellow, plum-sized fruit has a white, juicy flesh inside which contains oil-enriched seeds within a thick protective stone. Cracking the stone to get the 2-3 nuts inside is an arduous task and takes 24 working hours to fill a 2-pound tin.

Marula trees must grow to an age of 7-10 years before they start bearing fruit suitable to produce oil.  And, because these trees are considered sacred, they are protected by law in that they can never be cut down.

Just one Marula tree can produce up to 1,000 lbs of fruit yearly with total crop yields up to almost 2 million tons. Harvesting is done between January and March because this is the only time the trees bear fruit. Consequently, supply and demand dictate that Marula oil is not the cheapest natural oil out there.

Unlike petroleum-based products that are greasy and just “sit” on the surface, Marula oil has a rare fatty acid makeup that delivers potent moisturization and clean, fast absorption. It is extremely high in antioxidants and a single fruit has about 8x the amount of Vitamin C found in an orange. The 75% oleic acid content is what locks in moisture and creates a protective barrier on the skin. 

For centuries, Africans have used the fruits as food and medicinal tonics but the topical properties of natural Marula oil are the best of all. The oils are so emollient that not only are they used in cooking and for skin/hair care but to preserve meat and treat leather. Women wash with it instead of water and use it to moisturize their newborns. The nuts contain high levels of protein and minerals such as iron, phosphorous, copper, magnesium and zinc. 

Harvesting Marula is an excellent source of income for those living in rural areas like the group of 100 women in Mwenezi who produce some two tons of kernels per month. The processing and selling of Marula kernels are done solely by women and the money earned is controlled exclusively by them. It’s a Win-Win for women supporting women!

Here’s to the humble yet magical Marula tree and all the wonder it brings! 

To find out more about our product that contains Marula Oil check out our Moisture Me Balm a non-wax and non-toxic balm for your pet’s paws, dry patches, and hot spots. Our Marula oil is ethically sourced and fairly traded from South Africa.