Chua Oil (Choya Ral)

Chua Oil from IndoOils, also sold as Choya Ral, is made from the resin of the Sal tree, Shorea robusta, one of the most sacred trees of India. The resin seeps from cuts in the bark and hardens into pale yellow to brown lumps, known in Hindi as dhoop ral, peeli ral or simply ral, and in English as sal dammar.

Chua is not steam distilled. The resin is heated in a closed copper or clay pot with no water. As it melts and chars, an aromatic oil drips over and is collected in a cooled receiver. The Hindi word chuana means to drip, which is how the oil got its name. In the attar trade the method is called choya, and the oil made from ral is called Choya Ral.

The result is a thick, dark brown to blackish oil with a deep smoky, burnt-balsamic scent and a sweet resinous undertone. It is the smell of sal dhoop burning in a temple, held in a liquid.

Chua oil is traditionally used in puja and temple worship across India: in Lakshmi puja, in the abhishek and adornment of deities, and in the traditions of Jagannath Puri. Perfumers use it as a smoky base note in attars, oud-style and amber blends, and makers of agarbatti, dhoop and bakhoor use it to give incense its temple-like depth.

Each lot is made in India by our partner distillers and checked for appearance, odour, specific gravity and the absence of added diluents before release. The CoA states that the oil is made from sal resin, so buyers know it is not a sandalwood-based choya or a synthetic smoke note.

IndoOils also supplies benzoin resinoid, cade oil, birch tar oil, vetiver oil, sandalwood oil and kewra absolute, which attar and incense makers often buy alongside chua. Our chua oil buyer's guide on the IndoOils blog explains how it is made, what to check on the CoA and how to store it.

Supplied in 25 kg, 50 kg and 200 kg packs, minimum order one pack. Request a sample for approval, or send a bulk inquiry for a quotation.

True chua (Choya Ral) made only from Sal tree resin, with the raw material stated on every document

Traditional dry distillation: the deep, smoky temple scent that steam-distilled oils cannot give

Concentrated and long-lasting: a small amount carries smoky depth into an attar, dhoop or incense blend

Neat oil, with no DPG, paraffin or carrier added

Each lot checked before release, with a CoA and Safety Data Sheet

Made in India by partner distillers who follow the traditional method

Packed in sealed 25 kg, 50 kg and 200 kg containers, each with its own batch number

Puja and temple use: traditional oil for deity abhishek and adornment, Lakshmi puja and temple worship

Attars: smoky base note in traditional Indian attars, mitti, shamama and hina-style blends

Perfumery: smoky, leathery and amber accords in oud-style, oriental and woody fragrances, within IFRA limits

Incense: agarbatti, dhoop, dhoop cones, sambrani and bakhoor, for a temple-like smoky depth

Puja products: puja oils, havan and dhoop mixes, and temple supply packs

Home fragrance: smoky notes in candles, reed diffusers and room sprays at low levels

For puja, incense, attar and fragrance manufacturing use only: not for food, and never use the oil undiluted on skin

Handle with gloves and eye protection, away from flames, diyas and hot surfaces

The oil is thick: warm the closed container in a water bath at no more than 40 °C before pouring, never over a flame

Attars and perfumes: chua is very strong; add it a drop at a time to the base (sandalwood oil, DPG or ethanol) and let the blend rest before judging it

Incense, dhoop and bakhoor: mix the oil into the masala or base before shaping, and run a burn test on a sample batch

Set your own acceptance specification from an approved sample and its CoA (appearance, odour, specific gravity, no added diluent, and a PAH test for fragrance use) before ordering in bulk

Sandalwood, agarwood (oud), vetiver, cypriol (nagarmotha), benzoin, frankincense, kewra, rose, saffron, patchouli, labdanum and cade

Store in the original, tightly closed container at 15–25 °C in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place, away from sunlight, heat and flames. The oil thickens in cold weather; gently warm the closed container in a water bath (max. 40 °C) before pouring. Never heat over a flame. Keep the container full and sealed to minimise oxidation and darkening. Use stainless steel, glass, aluminium or HDPE. Shelf life: 36 months unopened; use opened packs within 12 months.

For puja, incense, attar and fragrance manufacturing use. Not for food use and not for use undiluted on skin.

Made by dry distillation, so it contains natural smoke compounds such as phenols. It may irritate the skin and eyes and may cause an allergic skin reaction: wear gloves and eye protection, and rinse with plenty of water on contact.

For fragrance and personal-care use, ask for a PAH test (including benzo(a)pyrene) on the lot and check it against IFRA and your market's rules before use.

Combustible liquid: keep away from flames, diyas and hot surfaces, including when used in temples.

Harmful if swallowed. Keep out of reach of children.

Avoid release to drains and the environment.

See the Safety Data Sheet supplied with each batch for the full GHS classification, flash point and transport details.