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Calophyllum Oil


Calophyllum Oil
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code: 61067

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Latin Binomial: Calophyllum inophyllum
Plant Part: Seed
Extraction: Cold Pressed
Growing Practice: Ethical

Tamanu Oil, known in Africa as Foraha Oil is extracted from the nuts of the Tamanu tree, Calophylum inophyllum. Calophyllum (Tamanu) oil is non-irritating and non-toxic. Good as an anti-inflammatory and analgesic making it a good choice for rheumatism, sciatica, eczema and other inflammatory conditions. Tamanu/Foraha/Calophyllum is a thick oil that is best used on a specific problem or as an additive to a blend of carrier oils.

Appearance: a dark green opalescent oil
BioChemicals: terpenic essences, inophyllum, benzoic and oxibenzoic acid; vitamin F, lipids, glycerides and saturated fatty acids; calopphyllolide and calophyllic acid and coumarin derivatives, phospho-amino acids

Saturated Fatty Acids (typically 22%): myristic acid (13%), palmitic acid (8-11%)

Monounsaturated Fatty Acids (typically 33%): oleic acid (33%)

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (typically 43%): linoleic acid (40-44%), linolenic acid (0.3-1.3%)
CAS No: 241148-25-4

Calophyllum inophyllum of the Family Clusiaceae is a large evergreen, native from East Africa, southern coastal India and across southern Asia to Australia. It is also known in several Pacific Islands, it particular Tahiti. It has many common names depending on the area: in Africa it is known as Foraha and in Tahiti it is known as Tamanu.. It is probably best known as a decorative plant, but it has also been used for construction and boatbuilding. According to Wikipedia, the trees from the Pacific islands may actually be different species of the Calophyllum genus.

Calophyllum oil, or Foraha Oil, or Tamanu Oil, or Dilo Oil (it's commonly known by all four names as well as many others) is derived by cold pressing from the seeds of the fruit (called a ballnut in English). Price (CO) says it is derived from cold-pressing the combined fruit and seed. This may be the case since one description of the process states that the oil is coldpressed from the dried fruit, which of course contains the nut. However, another source states that the seeds are extracted from the fruit before drying.

Good as an anti-inflammatory and analgesic making it a good choice for rheumatism, sciatica, eczema and other inflammatory conditions.

Tamanu/Foraha/Calophyllum is a thick oil that is best used on a specific problem or as an additive to a blend of carrier oils.

Therapeutic properties for external use

  • Hair and scalp problems
  • eczema, psoriasis and other skin conditions
  • facial neuralgia
  • shingles
  • may have anti-inflamatory and pain releiving properties
  • traditionally used to alleviate symptoms of leprosy

Tamanu oil has antimicrobial and antiviral activity.

Interestingly, the widespread distribution of the calophyllum tree is because like the coconut, its dried fruit can float on the ocean water and survive long sea journeys. Thus it has travelled from it original habitat as far west as the east coast of Africa and as far east as the Polynesian Islands and the Hawaiian Islands.

Wherever it has gone the native peoples have used the oil from the seed as a folk remedy, for skin ailments, as a moisturizer, a treatment for insect bites, and a traditional remedy for leprosy.

Chinese Traditional Medicine uses the oils to treat rheumatism, skin infections, wounds, pain, eye diseases and inflammation.

Modern medicine is finding that some of its constituents may accelerate wound healing and skin growth and that others may be useful against the HIV/AIDS virus.

Refrigerate to extend shelf life.

Calophyllum (Tamanu) oil is generally agreed to be non-irritating and non-toxic.

At least one contact dermatitis report has been found.

The information provided on these pages is not a substitute for necessary medical care, nor intended as medical advice. Always keep carriers and bases tightly closed and in a cool, dark place, out of reach of children. If redness or irritation occurs when applied to the skin, stop using immediately and contact your health provider if necessary.