The secrets of Tamanu oil

Tamanu oil is a miracle product from Polynesia, just like monoi. Although it is less famous than this renowned precious oil, it is also an ancestral remedy used by Polynesians, and which today is in great demand in the world of cosmetics.

WHAT IS TAMANU OIL?

"Sacred oil", "oil with a thousand virtues", "green gold of the Pacific" these are the different nicknames of Tamanu oil. Now that you know its different names, find out what this mysterious oil is...

The use of Tamanu oil dates back several millennia in the world of traditional medicine in Polynesia. It is a very useful product for the population of these islands, just like monoi oil. Its vegetable oil extracted from the fruit of Calophyllum Inophyllum, also called Tamanu or Ati in the region is quite dense.

Tamanu oil has a green color ranging from light to dark. It smells of nuts, and is very intoxicating. It is not edible. On the other hand, this elixir has healing properties. It is thus a product of choice for traditional doctors, the Tahu. Tamanu oil goes into a solid state when the temperature is below 25°C.

WHAT ARE THE BELIEFS AROUND TAMANU OIL AND ITS PLACE IN MODERN CIVILIZATION?

For centuries, the Tamanu has been considered by the Polynesians as a mystical and sacred thing. He came from a tree 20 meters high, and would have a lot of powers. In addition, it should be noted that the wood of this sacred tree is only intended for the production of religious objects.

According to the myths of Polynesia, it was said that the Gods took their naps under the Tamanu. Unfortunately, these beliefs disappeared when Christianity came to conquer the archipelago. From then on, the major part of the tree was intended to serve the daily life of the inhabitants. To build the canoes or other objects, one had recourse to the solid wood of the tree. The leaves, for their part, were used by women to make beauty elixirs. And the fruit was used as raw material to produce the famous Tamanu oil. You should know that the production of the latter takes place only in French Polynesia.

Tamanu grows only in the wild. Moreover, previously, many forests existed in the various islands of the archipelago. However, in recent years, there has been the presence of Tamanu cultivation on particular plantations. This is due to the loss of its sacred status, but also to the increase in demand for Tamanu oil. The latter then becomes a rare commodity.

HOW IS TAMANU OIL PRODUCED?

Picking the fruits of the tree as a family is the first step in making Tamanu oil. This activity allows fruit pickers to have money to supplement their ends of the month. We then proceed to the opening of the fruits which contain almonds. It is the latter that we will collect and dry in the sun for 4 to 8 weeks before producing oil. During this drying time, the almonds lose all their water and become lipids.

Cold pressing to collect the oil is the next step. This is followed by the filtration process to remove impurities. Once this is completed, we proceed to the addition of natural tocopherol which helps stabilize the green gold collected and the production of virgin Tamanu oil. Addition of additive, coloring or additional fragrance are not necessary for Tamanu Oil. It is therefore a natural and vegan product.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF TAMANU OIL?

The Polynesian Tahu are among those who have acclaimed Tamanu oil as a remedy. They used it in the form of Raau Tahiti. The latter is a traditional medicinal concoction.

The leaves had the ability to cure skin and eye problems. The flowers, for their part, were used for the manufacture of monoï by the Tahitian mamas, who were also responsible for picking them. Tiare flowers were intended for the nobility, and became rarer. According to the Tahu, the bark had the gift of relieving ulcers, while the juice of the Tamanu fruit was ideal for fighting headaches and hemorrhoids. Also, almonds were known to speed up the healing process of many wounds.

The use of Tamanu for healing then almost disappeared. In the 1930s, the appearance of leprosy led to its reuse. It was Doctor Jeanson who reintroduced its use in Western medicine in 1948. He used the oil for the care of various wounds. This Western discovery has led to new studies aimed at determining the true virtues of Tamanu oil. After carrying out several tests, Professor Jacques Chevalier was able to attest that not only wounds, but also bedsores, burns, gangrene and grafts could heal.

The 2000s were prosperous in the progress of studies of Tamanu oil, because researchers discovered that it contained coumarins inophyllum B and P. These are molecules that have proven their effectiveness in the fight against HIV. .

Tamanu oil is also one of the constituent substances of a good number of cosmetic products including soaps, make-up, after-sun care and many more. Nowadays, we can bluntly say that the oil has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and protective properties. In case of tendonitis, this product can be a good ally to relieve pain. It is also very effective in ending acne. The oil is used in its pure state or diluted with another vegetable oil. Unfortunately, the success of Tamanu oil has led to the appearance of counterfeits on the market. It is therefore important to take into account the “Tamanu Original” label to ensure that one is buying pure oil produced in Tahiti.

IN WHAT FORM SHOULD I USE TAMANU?

“Pacific Green Gold” is generally used in its natural form, that is to say in the form of oil. It can also be in the form of a soap or a balm. Indeed, the balm is made from oil in which we put an additional ingredient to have a more solid texture, namely: wax. The concentration of active ingredients is less compared to the concentration of oil than Tamanu balm. The latter is however a more practical product, because it does not spill. The balm is simple to transport and handle. It is to be preferred when applying a compress and for use on children and very sensitive skin. It is a product with low concentration and having less potency than oil.

For massages, it is better to use the oil in its pure or diluted state. The soap made from Tamanu oil, on the other hand, is suitable for problem skin as well as sensitive and reactive skin. Unlike oil and balm , which aim to care for the skin, soap is used daily to maintain the epidermis. The dosages of the three products are therefore different. However, they are all effective.

TIPS FOR USING TAMANU OIL PROPERLY

First, you should know that the sacred oil of Tahiti is not edible. It is therefore necessary to avoid absorbing me and put it out of reach of children. It is also important to see its origin. It is better to favor Tamanu oil made in Tahiti.

The dosage is also an element to take into account. Indeed, on the market, you can find pure oils, diluted or mixed with other products. Before any use, do not forget to test by pouring a small drop in the fold of the elbow, this so that you can see the absorption capacity of your skin and to avoid any irritation.

If you are in the treatment phase, it is advisable to use the pure elixir of Tahiti, applied for about two weeks. Thereafter, remember to dilute half of the oil with another vegetable oil.

The dilution of Tamanu oil is necessary when it is used in case of pregnancy, for children under three years old. In these cases, consider mixing between 10% and 20% pure oil with vegetable oil of your choice (olive, jojoba, sweet almond, shea butter, etc.). The same recommendation is to be followed for use in massage oil.

Attention! It is strongly advised not to apply Tamanu oil if you are following an anticoagulant or fluidifying treatment because of its action on blood circulation.

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