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| Tamanu Tree Calophyllum tacamahaca |
The Tamanu tree, Calophyllum tacamahaca is indigenous to Southeast Asia. Found throughout Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Malaysia, India, Sri Lanka and Polynesian islands. This slow growing evergreen tree can exceed 30 meters tall (over 90 feet) and is part of the Mangosteen Family. The oil derived from the nut of this tree has been used topically as far back as history can date. Growing both coastally as well as inland with equal vigor, it is interesting to note that the natives of this region consider the trees growing close to salt water to be the ones with the most potent medicine.
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| Tamanu Fruit |
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| Flowers of Tamanu Tree |
The Tamanu tree (pronounced TAW-man-oo) has been considered a sacred gift by the natives of Southeast Asia. It has been said time and again that "the God's hide within it's branches." This beautiful tree flowers twice annually, yielding white fragrant flowers which later bring about clusters of yellow fruit. The fruit has a similar taste to an apple and embedded with in the meat of this fruit lies a kernel (also called a punnai in some areas) which houses all of the delicate Tamanu oil.
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| Punnai or Kernal of Tamanu tree |
Tamanu Oil also called foraha or doomba (no-pain) oil, is processed from the kernels harvested from the Tamanu tree. Once the nuts are collected they are allowed to sit and dry in the sun for approximately 2 months of time. During this time of waiting, the kernel it's self becomes dark and sticky with the thick rich oil. It is crucial while drying that the nut is protected from both humidity and rain. Then each nut is separated from it's shell and ground down into a pulp. Through the pressing and grinding process friction does occur, but it is imperative that the temperature does not exceed 120 degrees F (49 degrees C) for the oil to be considered "cold pressed". It is the cold pressed oils that maintain the integrity and the healing properties originally bestowed up on this plant. It takes 100 kilograms of Tamanu fruit, approximately the amount that 1 tree produces annually, to produce just 5 kilograms of this oil (approximately 220 pounds of fruit compresses into just under 11 pounds of oil).
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| Prepairing the Fruit to Make Tamanu Oil |
Traditionally this oil has been used throughout Southeast Asia to aid in the healing many different disorders of the skin and nervous system. Almost always used as a topical aid or an single ingredient for these said ailments; abrasions, acne, blemishes, blisters, body odor, burns, diabetic sores, diaper rash, dry skin, eczema, herpes sores, insect bites and stings, neuritis and neuralgia, psoriasis, rheumatism, sciatica, shingles sunburn and wrinkles.
In the early 1900's Tamanu Oil made it's first debue in the Western World. A French nun by the name of Sister Marie Suzanna, had used tamanu oil to treat symptoms of leprosy with quite remarkable effect.
In 1918 researchers for the French Pharmacopoeia began to look deeper into the topical use of Tamanu Oil. The scientists were immediately awed by the cicatrizing effects, the ability of this oil to regenerate skin cells and tissue. There are many stories to be found in the French medical literature from the turn of the century stating the remarkable healing benefits of this prized oil.
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| Cold Pressed Tamanu Oil |
*The information found within these blog posts is brought to you by Recherch'e Organics. The owner of this small batch bath and body care company is a trained Mater Herbalist, Holistic Nutrition Consultant and a Certified Holistic Health care Practitioner. Many of these wonderful natural ingredients are used in our product line currently or are being considered for future products of Recherch'e. For more information or to buy from Recherch'e Organics; Please visit our website http://www.rechercheorganics.com or follow us on facebook for many great deals and information and through BEAUTIFUL YOU (this blog).
Thank you for reading,
Truly,
Hillari Ladd MH, NC, HHP
