Arabs. The Europeans confused it with myrobalan and called the new fruits "myrobalans". The problem was only solved by simply renaming the old fruit, borrowing the Arabic bân for the new name. It was enough to separate the two products, but confusion was still common for several hundred years since both were used in medicines. Naturally the ben fruits of antiquity were not the same as the ben fruits of modern times. Jamaica Interest in ben oil in Jamaica began in the first half of the 19th century. The oil had a reputation for being extremely durable and was often used to lubricate fine mechanics (clocks, for example). In 1848, the oil was analyzed for the first time and a new type of saturated fatty acid was found and was given the name behenic acid. Grasse At the perfume manufactury in Grasse, France, ben oil was used as a maceration oil for herbal oil until it was replaced by cheaper types of oil, alcohol and newly invented solvent agents in the 1870s. In the 1930s it was again put to use, but was then again forgotten as a component of perfume making, probably mostly due to political turmoil in many European colonies. Ben oil was forgotten for much of the rest of the 20th century as a watch oil. Modern use Use in cosmetic skin care The early 21st century has seen a resurgence in demand for ben oil, in large part due to its increasing use as a cosmetic oil or "beauty oil". In the context of a currently increasing global demand for ben oil, a number of African and Caribbean countries with climates suitable to moringa cultivation have begun to produce the oil for export. See also Vegetable oil List of vegetable oils References Burkill, J. H. 1966. A Dictionary of Economic Products of the Malay Peninsula. Art Printing Works, Kuala Lumpur. 2 vols. Duke, James A. 1983. Handbook of Energy Crops, Moringa oleifera Charles Knight. 1833. The Library of Entertaining Knowledge; Vegetable Substances: materials of manufactures. 22, Ludgate Street, and 13, Pall-Mall East, London. Cooking oils Vegetable oils