The tamanu tree is indigenous to tropical Southeast Asia; it is found in Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Malaysia, South India, Sri Lanka, and the Melanesian and Polynesian islands. It grows up to three meters tall. Oil from the nuts of Calophyllum inophyllum, locally called "Tamanu oil" in French Polynesia, was traditionally used for wound healing and to cure various skin problems and ailments.
The tamanu tree blooms twice annually with fragrant, white flowers, which later yield clusters of yellow-skinned spherical fruit.
The fruit's pulp tastes similar to an apple, within which a large nut is embedded. The nut contains an odorless pale kernel, called punnai in some Pacific areas. This kernel is dried in the sun for two months until it becomes sticky with a dark, thick, rich oil; it must be protected from humidity and rain during drying.
This sticky oil is cold-pressed to make a greenish yellow oil. It takes 100 kilograms of tamanu fruit, the amount that one tree produces annually, to yield just 5 kilograms of cold pressed oil! The skin-active effect of "Tamanu oil emulsion" was investigated on human skin cells (keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts) and showed cell proliferation, glycosaminoglycan and collagen production, and wound healing activity.
Trusted Source suggests tamanu oil may have anti-inflammatory properties. And while there are people who have used tamanu oil to treat inflammatory skin conditions like eczema, more research is needed to understand its role.
The oil is rich in fatty acids, which can help keep skin moisturized. It also contains antioxidants, which fight against damage from free radicals.
The oil’s ability to promote collagen and GAG production also plays a role in anti-aging and skin regeneration.
Finally, tamanu oil may help prevent wrinkles caused by sun damage. A 2009 in-vitro study found that the oil was able to absorb UV light and inhibit 85 percent of the DNA damage induced by UV radiation.
Ladybūd Bälms and Body Bútter both contain Tamanu oil. We don't skimp or cut corners on our ingredients. I can't stress how important it is to us that we maintain the highest standards of what goes onto your body and into every product we make. Your success and results using any Ladybūd products is what keeps us motivated to continue to make the best, natural, products.
What we don't have in our products: chemicals, preservatives, parabens, water, or artificial coloring.