TAMANU OIL - Oct 14, 2011
A Unique Tropical Healing Oil
Scattered throughout the tropical areas of the South Pacific and Indian oceans, there is a tree with the botanical name of Calophyllum inophyllum. It is a member of the Guttiferae family, to which mangosteen also belongs. An aromatic oil, pressed from the dried nuts of the tree, has long been used in traditional medicine. It is more commonly known as "Tamanu" in Tahiti, "Kamani" in Hawaii, "Foraha" oil in Madagascar and many other names unique to each country in which it grows.
The name of the genus Calophyllum means "beautiful leaf", from the Greek kalos (beautiful) and phullon (leaf). The tree is found in many Southeast Asian countries, the islands of the Pacific and tropical areas of the Indian ocean including Northern Australia, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Malaysia, South India, Sri Lanka, East Africa, Madagascar, Vanuatu, Fiji, Samoa and so on.
The Tamanu tree grows up to 30 meters in height, with long, spreading limbs. The tree trunk is typically thick with dark, grayish-brown cracked bark. The branches are covered with shiny, dark-green oval leaves, and small white flowers with yellow centers. The blossoms give off a delightful, sweet perfume. The inedible mature green fruit of the tree, about the size of an apricot, has a thin flesh and a large nut hull inside.
The tree can grow in inland areas, but it is most prolific in coastal areas. The tree is well suited for growing in sandy, salty soil and like the coconut, the fruits are dispersed in the ocean and germinate on the beaches upon which they land.
Tamanu Oil
In traditional medicine, many parts of the Tamanu tree have been used - leaves, bark, roots, plant sap and the gum resin derived from wounding of the bark. The oil expressed from the dried nuts has been the most widely used derivative from the tree.
As compared to most other oil-bearing nuts and seeds, Tamanu nuts are unique in that the fresh nuts contain little oil.
As the nut kernels are dried for up to a month, they turn dark brown in colour and a large amount (up to 75% by weight) of an aromatic oil is formed. The greenish oil is easily removed by mechanical pressing of the nut.
The resulting oil is rich in various fatty acids and aromatic compounds, including:
- 88% of triglycerides of linoleic, oleic, palmitic, stearic and calophyllic fatty acids (a novel fatty acid derived from calophyllolide).
- 3.5% phytosterols and sterol esters.
- 6.4% glycolipids
- 1.6% phospholipids
- Calaustraline (a coumarin compound), calophyllolide and inophyllolide (both complex lactones).
Traditional uses and modern research:
Tamanu oil has a long history of traditional use that continues today in the many countries in which it natively grows. There is a growing body of modern research that has demonstrated the efficacy of Tamanu oil in numerous conditions:
- Muscular & joint complaints
- Anti-neuralgic
- Wound healing & Anti-inflammatory
- Scar reduction
- Circulatory complaints
- Anti-infectious properties
Tamanu oil for topical first aid
With its broad range of beneficial activities, such as wound healing, anti-inflammatory, pain relieving and on, Tamanu oil is a useful 'first aid' remedy. Tamanu oil can be applied undiluted to the skin with no adverse effects. Tamanu oil is also an excellent active 'base' for the addition of pure essential oils and other beneficial oil-soluble ingredients.
Tamanu oil for cosmetics
The benefits of Tamanu oil means that it is an excellent active ingredient for cosmetic products, especially creams, lotions and ointments.
Tamanu oil will be particularly useful for sensitive, mature and dry skin; for after-sun products and to reduce irritation after shaving, hair removal and on.
Tamanu oil has been used traditionally in Fiji to help prevent and treat nappy rash and used to heal chapped lips.
Tamanu oil absorbs readily into the skin, leaving the skin smooth and soft and without a heavy residual oiliness.
Use levels of 5% of the total formula or higher is recommended for the best results.
Tamanu oil and sustainable harvesting
Sourced from Vanuatu, Tamanu oil is produced from wild-harvested fruits. The nut-containing Tamanu fruits are collected from the ground after they have dropped from the tree.
Because the fruits are collected after they drop, there is no negative impact upon the life or habitat of the Tamanu trees. Neither the land nor any surrounding plants are disturbed as a result of collection. If not collected, the fruits and nuts simply decompose. Thus, Tamanu fruit collection is a low impact, environmentally sustainable activity.
In Vanuatu, harvesting of Tamanu fruits from beach areas is a small but growing source of income for native people who collect the fruits and are typically paid by weight. Relative ease of collection, and abundance of fruits on beaches, makes Tamanu harvesting a desirable income-producing activity. The development of Tamanu oil production in Vanuatu has turned a natural forest product of no prior significant local use into a commodity of financial value. Revenues from collection contribute positively to small village economies.
Summary
Tamanu oil is an excellent example of a traditional remedy that has been used in many traditional cultures that is now gaining increased interest as a botanical extract with numerous benefits.
With its long history of traditional use, good anecdotal case histories and scientific research demonstrating its beneficial properties, Tamanu oil shows real promise for use in a variety of both therapeutic and cosmetic preparations.
Tamanu oil offers three significant benefits:
- The oil offers real healing benefits to users.
- The collection of the fruits and manufacture of the oil cause no damage to the local environment.
- The collection and processing of the nuts provides income to indigenous people, enhancing the local economies of small communities.
For more details along with pictures and references please download the attached pdf.
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