What are the benefits of wood-pressed oil?

November 24, 2025 •

4 min read

Did you know that a study showed wood-pressed oil has a higher antioxidant capacity compared to refined oil due to its gentle, low-heat extraction process? This retention of natural compounds is at the core of what are the benefits of wood-pressed oil, offering a more wholesome alternative to modern commercial oils.

Quick Summary

Wood-pressed oils are prized for their high nutritional value, retaining essential antioxidants and healthy fats due to minimal heat exposure during extraction. They offer numerous health advantages, including improved heart health, enhanced digestion, and superior natural flavor, making them a premium, chemical-free culinary choice.

Key Points

Superior Nutritional Retention: Wood-pressed oils preserve natural vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants like Vitamin E due to a low-heat extraction process.
Supports Heart Health: Rich in healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, these oils can help lower bad cholesterol and boost good cholesterol levels.
Free from Harmful Chemicals: Unlike refined oils, the traditional wood-pressing method uses no chemical solvents, bleach, or additives, ensuring a pure product.
Enhances Digestion: The natural composition of wood-pressed oil is gentler on the digestive system and can help reduce inflammation in the gut.
Natural Skincare Benefits: The oils' high Vitamin E and antioxidant content nourishes skin and hair, offering anti-aging and moisturizing properties.
Authentic Flavor and Aroma: The gentle extraction method preserves the oil's natural essence, providing a richer, more authentic taste to your food.

The Traditional Advantage of Wood-Pressed Oils

Wood-pressed oil, also known as Kachi Ghani or Mara Chekku oil, is extracted using an ancient, time-honored technique involving a large wooden pestle and mortar. This slow, traditional method generates very little heat—typically below 45°C—which is crucial for preserving the oil's natural integrity. The resulting oil is unrefined, retaining its vital nutrients, flavor, and aroma, unlike modern machine-pressed and refined oils that use high heat and chemical solvents. The use of wooden components also helps absorb any minor frictional heat, ensuring the delicate molecular structure of the oil is not damaged.

Core Health Benefits of Choosing Wood-Pressed Oil

Rich in Nutrients and Antioxidants

One of the most significant benefits of wood-pressed oil is its superior nutritional retention. The low-temperature process keeps heat-sensitive nutrients like Vitamin E intact. This richness in natural antioxidants helps combat free radicals in the body, which are linked to cell damage and chronic diseases. Oils like wood-pressed sesame and groundnut oil are particularly high in these protective compounds.

Promotes Heart Health

Wood-pressed oils contain a balanced profile of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, including essential omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which are beneficial for heart health. They help in maintaining healthy cholesterol levels by lowering LDL ('bad') cholesterol and increasing HDL ('good') cholesterol. For instance, wood-pressed mustard oil is known for its heart-protective properties due to its omega-3 content.

Aids in Better Digestion

The natural, unprocessed nature of wood-pressed oils makes them easier for the body to digest. Unlike refined oils, which can cause digestive issues like bloating and acidity due to chemical additives, wood-pressed oils are gentle on the stomach. They can also help reduce inflammation in the gut and promote healthy gut bacteria, contributing to overall digestive wellness.

Supports Healthy Skin and Hair

The moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties of wood-pressed oils make them excellent for topical application and consumption for skin and hair health. Rich in Vitamin E, these oils help protect the skin from free radical damage, reduce signs of aging, and promote a natural glow. For instance, wood-pressed coconut oil is a fantastic moisturizer, while sesame oil's anti-inflammatory properties can soothe irritated skin.

Wood-Pressed vs. Refined Oils: A Comparison


Feature	Wood-Pressed Oil	Refined Oil
Extraction Method	Traditional wooden press (`ghani`); low speed, low heat.	Modern steel machinery; high speed, high heat, and chemical solvents.
Nutritional Value	High; retains natural vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.	Low; loses most nutrients due to high heat and chemical processing.
Chemicals & Additives	None; free from solvents, bleaching agents, and preservatives.	Yes; often contains residues from chemical solvents like hexane.
Flavor & Aroma	Rich, authentic, and strong natural flavor derived from the seed.	Bland and neutral taste due to the stripping of natural compounds.
Shelf Life	Shorter due to the absence of preservatives.	Longer due to added preservatives and extensive processing.
Purity	100% natural and pure, unfiltered or minimally filtered.	Highly processed; purity is compromised by industrial methods.

Versatile Uses in the Kitchen and Beyond

Beyond their impressive health credentials, wood-pressed oils are celebrated for their rich, authentic flavors that can significantly elevate culinary creations. Unlike neutral-tasting refined oils, each variety of wood-pressed oil, from nutty sesame to pungent mustard, offers a distinctive character to dishes. This makes them ideal for a range of cooking applications.

For high-heat cooking: Certain wood-pressed oils like groundnut and sesame oil have a naturally high smoke point, making them suitable for sautéing and deep frying without breaking down into harmful compounds.
For finishing and dressings: Oils such as wood-pressed flaxseed or olive oil are perfect for drizzling over salads, pastas, or roasted vegetables, adding a burst of fresh flavor.
As a flavor enhancer: In many traditional cuisines, wood-pressed oils are used to impart a deep, rustic flavor profile to curries, stir-fries, and marinades.

For more information on the distinctions between different types of edible oils, you can consult resources like the American Heart Association (AHA) recommendations, which emphasize healthy fat intake.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the move towards wood-pressed oils is a return to traditional wisdom, prioritizing natural purity and nutritional integrity over industrial efficiency. By retaining their essential nutrients, antioxidants, and authentic flavors, these oils offer a compelling alternative to their refined counterparts. Making the switch to wood-pressed oil is not just a culinary choice but a conscious investment in superior health, supporting everything from heart and digestive function to radiant skin. Their chemical-free nature ensures that what you're consuming is as close to its natural state as possible, providing a wholesome and healthful addition to your daily diet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wood-pressed oil is extracted using a traditional wooden press at low temperatures, preserving its natural nutrients, flavor, and aroma. Refined oils, however, are processed with high heat and chemical solvents, which strips them of most of their nutritional value and natural taste.

Yes, wood-pressed oils are generally better for heart health because they contain higher levels of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, including beneficial omega-3s and omega-6s, which help manage cholesterol levels and reduce inflammation.

Yes, many wood-pressed oils like groundnut and sesame oil have a high smoke point, making them suitable for sautéing, stir-frying, and deep frying. The low-temperature extraction ensures they are stable when heated.

Yes, wood-pressed oils are unprocessed and free from chemical residues, making them easier for the digestive system to handle. They can also help reduce gut inflammation and promote healthy gut bacteria.

Rich in Vitamin E and antioxidants, wood-pressed oils can be used both internally and topically to nourish skin and hair. They help fight free radicals, moisturize, reduce inflammation, and promote a healthy glow.

Wood-pressed oil typically has a shorter shelf life because it is free from artificial preservatives used to extend the life of refined oils. Proper storage in a cool, dark place is key to maintaining its freshness.

While wood-pressed oils are a type of cold-pressed oil, not all cold-pressed oils are wood-pressed. The term cold-pressed refers to any low-heat extraction method, which can also use modern metal machinery. The wooden press is the traditional method that ensures no metallic heat transfer occurs.