Native to tropical Southeast Asia, the tamanu tree blooms twice annually with delicate and fragrant white flowers, which later yield clusters of yellow-skinned round fruits. The embedded nut contains a kernel, which is sun-dried for about two months until it becomes sticky and has produced its incredibly rich, thick, dark oil. This concentrated oil is then cold-pressed to make the “sacred oil.” It takes over 220 pounds of tamanu fruit to create only 11 pounds of cold-pressed oil, making this liquid green-gold both labor-intensive and very expensive to produce. No wonder those indigenous to the area believed that God was hiding in the tree’s branches!

Tamanu oil has played an essential role in Southeast Asian traditional medicine for centuries and is still used and appreciated today. The oil’s unique set of antibacterial, antiviral, and antiseptic components make this a prized topical treatment for skin infections and irritations. It offers a great protection barrier and is especially effective to soothe skin inflammations such as rosacea, eczema, and acne. Thanks to its high content of anti-inflammatory fatty acids, it deeply nourishes the skin while leaving a healthy, natural, even glow. Not only does the high amount of antioxidants offer protection against free radical damage, it also stimulates the regeneration of new skin cells as it speeds up the healing of wounds and scars.

Featured in: The Youth Dew and The Pendulum Potion