Behen

/bɪˈhɛn/ noun

Definition

An East Indian plant with oily seeds, also called ben oil tree; the plant that produces benzoic acid.

Etymology

From Arabic 'bahn' or Hindi 'ben,' referring to the moringa tree and its seeds. The word traveled through trade routes and botanical texts describing Asian plants.

Kelly Says

Ben oil (from this plant) has been used in perfumery, medicine, and cooking for centuries, and the plant is a 'superfood' in South Asia—remarkably, one plant provides seeds, leaves, roots, and bark all used for different purposes.

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