TAMANU OIL

Originating from Asia, the Tamanu tree whose botanical name is Calophyllum Inophyllum belongs to the botanical family of the Guttiferes. It slowly spread through the ages to different countries with temperate climates, such as Tahiti.

Today, the Calophyllum Inophyllum tree is relatively popular in the South Pacific region. It can reach a size of 10 to 15 meters with very knotty branches and large dark green leaves with pale yellow veins. Small white flowers are produced at the ramification of the leaves and release a sweet fragrance; But it is the fruit of the Tamanu tree that is of great interest because of the remarkable oil that is extracted from its sun-drenched nuts.

Hundreds of varieties of the Calophyllum Inophyllum have been recorded throughout the world, but the Inophyllum Tahitensis specie has the most convincing botanical qualities for a variety of therapeutic and cosmetic applications.

The name TAMANU is a Tahitian word describing specifically the Calophyllum Inophyllum specie which grows solely on Tahiti. The Tamanu nuts are only 3 or 4 cm in diameter and grow in small bunches dispersed throughout the tree. The fruits are green at first.

Contrary to most other oil producing nuts, the fresh green Tamanu nuts are completely devoid of oil when they first fall from the tree.

They need to be exposed to the sun for a few weeks before they turn a brownish color, develop their aromatic odor and achieve their full oil capacity.

The pure, cold pressed Tamanu oil which is extracted from the sun-drenched dry nuts is a rich yellow-ocher color, a little greenish with a characteristic marked odor. It contains a significant resin concentration (over 20%) which gives it its therapeutic properties well known in pharmacy and beauty care.