What is Tamanu Oil

Tamanu

Calophyllum inophyllum

Family: Clusiaceae

Introduction

The tamanu tree can grow to 98 feet tall and has small, delicate white flowers with yellow centers. In the northern hemisphere, the tree flowers twice a year, in the late fall and in spring.  Tamanu blossoms have a sweet, lime-like fragrance. The fruit is about the size of an apricot with thin flesh and a large kernel inside. It is this kernel that yields tamanu oil. Tamanu trees are native to Southeast Asia and are abundant in Polynesia . They prefer sandy soil and grow well on rocky, cliff-bound coasts and coastal slopes.  Tamanu is dispersed throughout the Pacific islands by its nut-containing fruits which fall into the ocean and are carried by sea to other coastal areas where they sprout and root.  

History

The genus name Calophyllum comes from the Greek, kalos (beautiful) and phullon (leaf). The species is known by many names in the various South Pacific islands. Common names: Alexandrian laurel, beach mahogany, beauty leaf, poon, oil nut tree, beach calophyllum, kamani, kamanu, tamanu

Polynesians hold its fine-grained wood in high regard for making boats, bowls, houses, and handicrafts.  The tree is also used as an ornamental tree.  

Tamanu seeds are very high in oil content but its takes up to 220 pounds of fruit to produce 11 pounds of oil.  Tamanu oil has been used traditionally by Pacific Islanders for thousands of years as a topical skin remedy. The oil is used externally by Polynesian women to promote healthy, smooth skin. They also use it on their babies to prevent nappy rash.  Cosmetic companies use tamanu oil in the preparation of regenerative creams for its soothing qualities and for its ability to improve skin elasticity, tone, firmness and appearance.

Oil in Tamanu Nuts

When the fruits of the C. inophyllum tree are collected and cracked open, the blonde nut kernel inside contains little evident oil upon pressing or grinding. But when the kernel is dried on a rack for a month or so, it turns a deep, chocolate brown, and becomes sticky with a rich oil. Once this transformation has taken place, the oil can be easily extracted from the dark kernels using only mechanical pressing. The resulting tamanu oil has a rich texture and greenish-amber color. The means by which the tamanu kernel becomes oily remains unknown. At present, no studies explain this process.

Sustainability

Tamanu fruits are collected from the ground after they have fallen from the tree so the practice has no negative impact on the ecology of the tree.  Tamanu harvesting is a sustainable, positive contribution to small village economies.

Botanical Description

Preferred scientific name Calophyllum inophyllum L.

Family Clusiaceae (syn. Guttiferae) (mangosteen family)

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