The Traditional Process of Making Wooden Pressed Oils – Step by Step

Santosh Bobade

 

🛕 A Brief History: Oil Extraction in Ancient India

India has a deep-rooted tradition of extracting oil using natural and sustainable methods. The Ghani system—a wooden or stone churner driven by bullocks—has been used for centuries to press oil from seeds like sesame (til), groundnut (moongphali), mustard (sarson), and coconut (nariyal).

According to Ayurvedic texts such as Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita, oils extracted using cold or wooden pressed methods (Kachhi Ghani) are considered “Shuddh” (pure) and beneficial for balancing Vata, Pitta, and Kapha doshas.

🛠️ Step-by-Step Process: How Wooden Pressed Oil Is Made

Here’s a clear step-by-step breakdown of how real wooden pressed oil is made:

1️⃣ Selection & Cleaning of Seeds

  1. High-quality raw oil seeds (like groundnut, sesame, mustard, or coconut) are handpicked and cleaned to remove dust, stones, and impurities.
  2. Clean seeds ensure purity, better taste, and long shelf life of oil.

2️⃣ Drying the Seeds

  1. Seeds are sun-dried naturally for 1–2 days to remove moisture.
  2. Dry seeds reduce foaming during pressing and yield higher quality oil.

3️⃣ Feeding into Wooden Ghani (Churner)

  1. Dried seeds are slowly added into a wooden Ghani or Kolu—a traditional rotary churner made of Neem or Babool wood, known for its anti-bacterial properties.
  2. The Ghani is bullock-driven or slow-motorized to avoid frictional heat.

4️⃣ Cold Pressing the Seeds

  • The seeds are slowly pressed at a low temperature (below 45°C) to extract oil.
  • This cold-pressed method retains:
  1. Natural antioxidants
  2. Fatty acids
  3. Vitamins (A, D, E, K) and
  4. Minerals

Scientific Fact: Oils extracted below 45°C preserve up to 80% more nutrients than refined oils, as per a study published in the Journal of Food Processing & Technology.

5️⃣ Collecting the Oil

  1. The extracted oil is filtered through cotton cloths or muslin to remove coarse particles.
  2. The oil is not refined, bleached, or deodorized—retaining its aroma, flavor, and nutrition.

6️⃣ Settling & Natural Sedimentation

  1. The oil is allowed to naturally settle for 2–3 days.
  2. Fine sediment settles at the bottom, indicating purity and no artificial processing.

7️⃣ Packaging in Glass or Tin Bottles

  1. The oil is packed in glass, stainless steel, or food-grade tin containers to maintain shelf life.
  2. Plastic is avoided to prevent chemical leaching.

🌿 Benefits of Wooden Pressed Oils

  1. ✅ Retains full nutrition
  2. ✅ No chemicals or preservatives
  3. ✅ Environment-friendly process
  4. ✅ Enhances immunity & digestion
  5. ✅ Aligns with Ayurvedic lifestyle

📚 Ayurvedic Perspective

Ayurveda regards oil as "Sneha," a substance that brings lubrication, nourishment, and emotional balance.

Wood-pressed oils are:

  1. Recommended for daily cooking (Sadvritta)
  2. Used in Abhyanga (body massage) for skin, joints, and detox
  3. Aligned with Ahara-Vihar (Diet & Lifestyle) principles in Ayurveda

🏁 Conclusion: A Return to Our Roots

In a world filled with refined and processed food, wooden pressed oils offer a connection back to nature and health. This time-tested process continues to offer clean, unadulterated nourishment that supports holistic well-being

Back to blog

Leave a comment