Onycha Essential Oil (Choya Nakh)
This truly rare and unusual oil is the product of the destructive distillation ("choya") of seashell opercula. That's a picture of the clay distillation vessel there with some opercula right near the "beak" (photo courtesy Christopher McMahon). They've been making this oil for a couple thousand years there, and it is produced in the traditional way. It's perfect for adding an onycha scent to anything you are making. For instance, try mixing a couple drops with some good alcohol and spray your incense ingredients to give them a scent of onycha without any combustion smells. A tiny bit goes a long, long way; try one drop in 4 oz./100 ml of your carrier oil to start with. It's nice for creating leather analogs or for Water oils. Steam distilled from seashell opercula (onycha) in India.

As vegetarians and animal lovers, we have chosen to discontinue Onycha oil and powder.

Combining With Other Essential Oils

This unusual substance smells like smoky seashells, salt, and the ocean all at the same time. Some describe it as "a bonfire at the beach." Good for mixing with amber or tobacco type scents.