Colocynth Oil, 60 ml

A colocynth oil sold under the El Nile Horas name. The front of the box calls it a natural premium oil, cold pressed, names it "joint oil" with colocynth in brackets, and gives the size, 60 ml. It comes in a black box lettered in gold, with the brand's triangle, a small plant sprig and the Eye of Horus at the top and a drawing of two round yellow colocynth fruits and a broken piece showing the seeds above the name. Colocynth is a bitter desert gourd, and this oil is pressed from its seeds.

What it is for: "joint oil" is the maker's name for it, not a promise. This shop sells it as a cosmetic and makes no claim about joints, pain or any illness. These are the usual cosmetic ways colocynth oil is used: it is a body and massage oil for dry skin, and it softens dry hands, elbows and heels. It is a cosmetic: it works on how skin looks and feels.

Use a little at a time. After a shower or for a massage, warm a few drops between your palms and smooth them over dry skin on the arms, legs or shoulders until they sink in. For dry hands, elbows and heels, rub in one or two drops in the evening. Keep it off the face, and wash your hands after use.

The difference from an unlabelled bottle in a bazaar is what you can see for yourself: a brand name and a printed box with the name and size on the front. It reaches you unopened, at the price on this page, with nothing to haggle over.

It is for external use only. Colocynth fruit is poisonous if eaten, so never swallow this oil, keep it away from the mouth and keep the bottle where children cannot reach it. Try a drop on the inner arm first and wait a day before using it more widely, because colocynth can irritate sensitive skin; if your skin stings or turns red, wash the oil off with soap and water. Do not put it on broken or irritated skin. The front of the box lists no ingredients, so if you have allergies, read the label on the bottle before you use it. Do not use it if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. It is not a sunscreen and has no SPF. Keep it out of the eyes.

Close the cap after each use and keep the bottle out of direct sun and heat. Oil can mark fabric and towels and makes floors slippery, so wipe your hands before you touch clothes. At 60 ml it is under the 100 ml cabin limit and can fly in hand luggage inside the clear liquids bag; screw the cap down tight before you pack it, and in checked baggage seal it in a zip bag.

Who it suits: adults with dry skin, dry hands and heels who want a simple massage oil. Skip it if your skin is sensitive, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if small children at home could reach the bottle.