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Tamanu

Carrier Oil

Calophyllum inophyllum

Origin: Polynesia, Southeast Asia

About

One of the most therapeutically powerful carrier oils, tamanu contains the unique compound calophyllolide which exhibits strong anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties. Its distinctive dark green colour and strong aroma mean it is usually blended at 10–25% with other carriers.

Used by the peoples of Polynesia, Southeast Asia, and South Asia for millennia, tamanu oil was a cornerstone of traditional medicine for treating skin diseases, nerve pain, and infected wounds. It remains an important ceremonial and medicinal oil in many Pacific Island cultures.

Benefits

  • Exceptional wound healing and tissue regeneration
  • Strong anti-inflammatory (calophyllolide)
  • Effective for nerve pain and neuralgia
  • Antifungal and antimicrobial
  • Treats eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea

Pairings (12)

Unsafe
Clove Bud

Eugenol in Clove Bud combined with calophyllolide in Tamanu significantly raises the risk of severe skin sensitisation and allergic reaction.

Excellent
Tea Tree

Tamanu's remarkable wound-healing, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties make it a powerhouse pairing with Tea Tree for skin infections or damaged tissue.

Excellent
Lavender

Tamanu's cicatrisant, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties pair powerfully with lavender for wound healing, scar tissue, nerve pain, and skin repair massage.

Excellent
Neem

Tamanu's extraordinary wound-healing, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory reputation makes it a highly synergistic and therapeutically potent partner for neem.

Excellent
Pomegranate Seed

Both oils are celebrated for their exceptional skin healing, anti-inflammatory, and regenerative properties, making this a potent combination for damaged or troubled skin.

Excellent
Sweet Almond

Tamanu's remarkable wound-healing and anti-inflammatory properties are well supported by sweet almond's gentle base in therapeutic skin massage.

Compatible
Compatible
Compatible
Compatible
Compatible
Compatible

Properties

Aroma
strong, green, slightly medicinal
Consistency
medium
Absorbency
medium
Shelf Life
24 months

Contraindications

  • Avoid with nut allergies (calophyllum family)
  • Strong aroma and colour — use as secondary carrier
  • Patch test essential due to sensitisation potential