Tamanu (Foraha) Oil, also known as Calophyllum Oil, is a richly emollient oil pressed from the fruit kernels of a large tropical evergreen tree that originated in Polynesia and is now found in several other equatorial countries. With its aromatic nutty aroma and greenish hue, this skin-loving kernel oil has been dubbed “green gold.”[1]

The botanical name Calophyllum inophyllum comes from the Greek kalos, which means ‘beautiful’, phullon, which means 'leaf' and ino-, an obsolete prefix meaning 'fiber' or 'fibrous'. Considered sacred in Tahiti since ancient times, all parts of the Tamanu tree have a rich and storied history of use by many indigenous Island peoples, particularly for skincare and beauty.

Two main active constituents in Calophyllum oil were discovered by a Frenchman named Professor Lederer who succeeded in isolating two important components of the oil – calophyllic acid (a 'new' fatty acid), and a lactone said to be the origin of the oil’s remarkable effects on skin. Tamanu oil is good for targeted skincare preparations, after-sun creams, in massage oils and joint rubs, and added to facial serums to improve the appearance of dry, aging, mature, sun-exposed, and congested skin. Additional Tamanu Oil benefits may include easing signs eczema and reducing the look of scars.

*Please visit our Containers section if you are interested in a Dispensing Pump for the 1/2 Gallon or Gallon size.

Want to know more about how to use Tamanu Oil as a base for your essential oil blends? Read Dilution Solutions to learn about essential oil to carrier oil ratios and how to mix essential oils with carrier oils.