Description
The manketti or mongongo tree grows on the deep sands of the Kalahari, with large stands in northern Namibia, Botswana and south-western Zambia. Its egg-sized fruits hold an extremely hard nut, cracked by hand with stones or small axes. The oil is pale yellow, light and quick to absorb. It naturally contains vitamin E and linoleic acid, along with eleostearic acid, an unusual fatty acid that forms a thin film as the oil dries.
Details
| Botanical name | Schinziophyton rautanenii |
|---|---|
| Origin | Namibia, Botswana, Zambia |
| Part used | Nut kernel |
| Extraction | Cold-pressed |
| Texture | Light, silky, dry finish |
| Size | 3.4oz (100ml) |
| Ingredients | 100% manketti nut oil |
Why it is hand-made: all nuts come from wild trees, and the shell is among the hardest of any wild African nut.
How to use
- Hair: smooth a few drops over the lengths for shine.
- Face and lips: press 2 drops into clean skin, or a drop onto the lips.
- Body: apply to damp skin after a shower.
Store somewhere cool and dark with the cap closed.
FAQs
Is manketti oil the same as mongongo oil?
Yes. Both names refer to the oil of Schinziophyton rautanenii.
Is it heavy?
No. It is light and leaves a dry, silky finish.
Where is it gathered?
Local communities, including San families, collect fallen fruit from wild trees in the Kalahari.






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