Tamanu oil possesses the capacity to promote the formation of new tissue, thereby accelerating wound healing and the growth of healthy skin. This process of forming new tissue is known as cicatrization. (Chevalier, Petard) Because of its cicatrizing capacity, tamanu oil is a widely used traditional topical aid. In Pacific island folk medicine, tamanu oil is applied liberally to cuts, scrapes, burns, insect bites and stings, abrasions, acne and acne scars, psoriasis, diabetic sores, a*** fissures, sunburn, dry or scaly skin, blisters, eczema, herpes sores, and to reduce foot and body odor. Tamanu oil reputedly relieves sore throat when it is applied topically to the neck. The oil also possesses significant pain-relieving properties, and has been used traditionally to relieve neuralgia, rheumatism and sciatica. Polynesian women apply tamanu oil topically to promote healthy, clear, blemish-free skin, and massage it onto babies to prevent diaper rash and skin eruptions. (Chevalier, Petard, Sidi) "
"Anti-inflammatory Activity Of Tamanu Oil Tamanu oil demonstrates significant antiinflammatory activity. This activity is due partly to the 4-phenyl coumarin calophyllolide (Bhalla, Saxena, Duke), and to a group of xanthones in the oil, including dehydrocycloguanandin, calophyllin-B, jacareubin, mesuaxanthone-A, mesuaxanthone-B, and euxanthone. All the xanthones in tamanu oil show anti-inflammatory activity. (Gopalakrishnan). This activity explains reductions of rashes, sores, swelling and abrasions with topical application of the oil. (Petard) Antibacterial and Antifungal Activity of Tamanu Oil Tamanu oil demonstrates significant antimicrobial activity, as shown in antibacterial and antifungal tests (Mahmud, Sundaram, Petard). The oil contains several powerful bactericide/fungicide agents, which demonstrate efficacy against various human and animal pathogens. These antimicrobial phytochemical agents include friedelin, canophyllol, canophyllic acid, and inophynone (Mahmud). "
"Antioxidant Activity Of Tamanu Oil Xanthones and coumarins in tamanu oil demonstrate antioxidant properties, specifically inhibiting lipid peroxidation. Cell membranes are made of lipids. The antioxidant activity of tamanu oil helps to protect skin cells from damage by reactive oxygen species and other oxidative antagonists. (Mahmud)
