Caulophyllum inophyllum
Native to tropical regions, the evergreen tamanu tree blooms twice a year with delicate and fragrant white flowers, which later yield clusters of yellow-skinned round fruits. The embedded nut contains a kernel, which is sun-dried for about two months until it becomes sticky and produces its incredibly rich oil. Often referred to as 'green gold' the oil is very thick and has a pungent medicinal scent. Like many tropical oils, it provides a degree of sun protection with a natural SPF of 20.
Tamanu oil has played an essential role in Southeast Asian traditional medicine for centuries and is still used and appreciated today. As well as some of the more commonly occurring fatty acids, it contains a unique fatty acid, calophyllic acid and a unique phyto compound calophyllolide both only found in this oil. These two unique compounds are what make Tamanu oil so incredibly special, they are the reason for its strong anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and healing properties. It absorbs quickly into the skin, where it has been demonstrated to rapidly regenerate new skin, repair nerves and diminish scarring.
The oil’s unique set of antibacterial, antiviral, antiseptic and analgesic components make this a prized topical treatment for skin infections and irritations. It offers a great protection barrier and is especially effective in soothing skin inflammations such as rosacea, eczema, and acne. Thanks to its high content of anti-inflammatory fatty acids, it deeply nourishes the skin while leaving a healthy, natural, even glow. The high amount of antioxidants offers protection against free radical damage too. When applied to damp skin it has a beautiful smooth, silky, non-oily feeling.
This concentrated oil is cold-pressed. It takes over 220 pounds of tamanu fruit to create only 11 pounds of cold-pressed oil, making this liquid green-gold both labor-intensive and very expensive to produce.
If too liquid the oil has been refined, losing its precious healing properties. Our organically certified Tamanu oil comes from Madagascar and is often almost solid when taken from the store cupboard.
