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Calophyllum

Essential Oil

Calophyllum inophyllum

Origin: Polynesia / Southeast Asia (particularly Tahiti and the Philippines)

About

Calophyllum is a rich, dark green to brownish fixed carrier oil with a distinctive nutty, slightly bitter aroma and a moderately thick viscosity. It is highly prized in massage blending for its deeply penetrating, skin-regenerative properties and is typically used at 10–25% in a blend with a lighter carrier such as fractionated coconut or grapeseed oil. Its active components including calophyllolide and inophyllum give it strong anti-inflammatory and analgesic qualities particularly suited to neuromuscular and scar-focused massage work.

Calophyllum, also known as Tamanu's close relative and sometimes called Foraha or Domba oil, has been used for centuries by Pacific Island and Southeast Asian communities as a sacred healing oil for skin ailments, nerve pain, and wound repair. In traditional Polynesian medicine it was applied to burns, scars, and rheumatic conditions, and was highly prized by local healers. French researchers in the 20th century documented its remarkable cicatrisant and analgesic properties, bringing it to wider aromatherapy and cosmetic use.

Benefits

  • ✓Promotes skin regeneration and reduces the appearance of scars and stretch marks
  • ✓Provides analgesic and anti-inflammatory relief for joint and nerve pain
  • ✓Supports healing of burns, eczema, psoriasis, and chronic skin conditions
  • ✓Improves circulation when used in massage, beneficial for varicose veins
  • ✓Offers antifungal and antimicrobial protection to compromised skin
  • ✓Soothes neuralgia and rheumatic pain when applied in targeted massage

Pairings (64)

Caution
Castor

Both are very thick, heavy oils and combining them without a light carrier can result in an uncomfortably dense blend for massage application.

Caution
Olive

Olive oil's heavy texture and strong aroma combined with Calophyllum can produce an overly dense, intensely scented blend unsuitable for most massage applications.

Caution
Lemongrass

Lemongrass has a known sensitisation risk and its intense citral content can compete aggressively with Calophyllum's earthy aroma; use at low concentrations.

Caution
Basil ct. methylchavicol

Higher sensitisation potential of this chemotype combined with Calophyllum's active compounds may increase skin reactivity; use with care.

Caution
Ylang Ylang

Ylang ylang's intensely sweet floral aroma can clash with Calophyllum's heavy earthy scent and may cause headaches or nausea if not carefully proportioned.

Caution
Neem

Both oils have strong, pungent aromas and heavy textures; combining them can produce an overpowering scent and very thick consistency requiring careful formulation.

Caution
Tamanu

Tamanu and Calophyllum are closely botanically related and share very similar therapeutic profiles; combining them offers little additional benefit and may over-intensify active compounds.

Caution
Walnut

Walnut oil carries a high nut-allergy risk and combining it with Calophyllum requires thorough client allergy screening before use in massage.

Excellent
Carrot (Essential)

Calophyllum's analgesic and skin-regenerating properties pair exceptionally well with carrot seed in restorative and scar-reducing massage blends.

Excellent
Carrot (Carrier)

Calophyllum's cicatrisant and anti-inflammatory properties combine powerfully with carrot oil for advanced scar and skin-repair formulations.

Excellent
Calendula

Calendula's soothing anti-inflammatory properties synergise perfectly with Calophyllum for wound-healing and sensitive skin massage blends.

Excellent
Comfrey

Comfrey's allantoin-rich profile pairs superbly with Calophyllum for tissue repair, bruising, and bone or joint injury support massage.

Excellent
Argan

Argan's high vitamin E content synergises beautifully with Calophyllum for premium scar-repair and anti-aging massage blends.

Excellent
Fractionated Coconut

An ideal lightweight carrier for diluting Calophyllum, improving spreadability without diminishing its therapeutic skin and pain-relief benefits.

Excellent
Arnica

Both are powerful anti-inflammatory agents and together create an outstanding blend for bruising, joint pain, and sports massage.

Excellent
Jojoba

Jojoba's wax-ester structure and skin compatibility make it an outstanding diluent and enhancer for Calophyllum in facial and body massage.

Excellent
Pomegranate Seed

Rich in punicic acid and antioxidants, pomegranate seed pairs superbly with Calophyllum for anti-aging, scar treatment, and regenerative skin massage.

Excellent
Frankincense

Calophyllum (Tamanu's relative) shares strong anti-inflammatory and regenerative qualities that amplify Frankincense's healing and skin-rejuvenating effects.

Excellent
Apricot Kernel

A light, skin-nourishing carrier that perfectly dilutes Calophyllum's heavy texture while complementing its skin-healing benefits.

Excellent
Sandalwood

Sandalwood's deeply moisturising, anti-inflammatory, and grounding properties pair exquisitely with Calophyllum in luxury skin-healing massage blends.

Excellent
Eucalyptus

Calophyllum (tamanu's relative) has outstanding anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that work powerfully alongside eucalyptus in deep tissue and pain-relief blends.

Excellent
Black Pepper

Black pepper's circulatory-stimulating and analgesic properties pair excellently with Calophyllum for deep-tissue and pain-relief massage.

Excellent
Ginger

Ginger's warming circulatory and analgesic properties pair excellently with Calophyllum for rheumatic, arthritic, and deep muscle pain massage.

Excellent
St John's Wort

St John's Wort shares Calophyllum's exceptional affinity for nerve pain and together they create a highly effective neuralgia and neuropathy massage blend.

Excellent
Lavender

Lavender is universally compatible and its calming, skin-healing properties create a classic and effective pairing with Calophyllum for all skin types.

Excellent
Sweet Marjoram

Sweet marjoram's antispasmodic and analgesic properties combine powerfully with Calophyllum for muscle pain, rheumatic, and deep-tissue massage blends.

Excellent
Copaiba

Calophyllum (tamanu's relative) shares powerful anti-inflammatory and skin-healing properties that combine synergistically with copaiba for therapeutic skin and pain blends.

Excellent
Helichrysum

Helichrysum's exceptional cicatrisant and anti-haematoma properties combined with Calophyllum create an outstanding scar and bruise treatment blend.

Excellent
Evening Primrose

Rich in GLA, evening primrose amplifies Calophyllum's skin-regenerative and anti-inflammatory properties for mature or problem skin massage.

Excellent
Borage Seed

Both oils are exceptional for skin regeneration and together provide a powerful blend for scarring, eczema, and inflammatory skin conditions.

Excellent
Grapeseed

A light, neutral carrier that perfectly counterbalances Calophyllum's thickness and is ideal as a base in any Calophyllum massage blend.

Excellent
Roman Chamomile

Roman chamomile's exceptional anti-inflammatory and skin-soothing properties create a premium blend with Calophyllum for sensitive or inflamed skin massage.

Excellent
Hemp Seed

Hemp seed's omega balance and anti-inflammatory properties synergise beautifully with Calophyllum for inflammatory skin and pain-relief massage.

Excellent
Macadamia

Macadamia's palmitoleic acid content and silky texture complement Calophyllum perfectly for skin-repair and anti-aging massage applications.

Excellent
Marula

Marula's high oleic acid and antioxidant content synergises with Calophyllum for a premium skin-regenerating and anti-inflammatory massage blend.

Excellent
Sweet Almond

Sweet almond's light texture, skin-nourishing properties, and neutral scent make it one of the best carriers to pair with Calophyllum in massage blends.

Excellent
Rosehip Seed

Rosehip's renowned skin-regenerative trans-retinoic acid content pairs powerfully with Calophyllum for scar, stretch mark, and anti-aging massage work.

Excellent
Clove Bud

Calophyllum's analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties actively complement clove bud's pain-relieving effects for joint and muscle massage blends.

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Properties

Aroma
nutty, earthy, slightly bitter, herbaceous
Max Dilution
3%

Contraindications

  • ⚠Avoid use on individuals with known nut allergies without prior patch testing
  • ⚠Not recommended for internal use
  • ⚠Use with caution on very sensitive or reactive skin as the raw oil may cause irritation in some individuals
  • ⚠Avoid use near the eyes or mucous membranes