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Article:
Sacred Oil of the Pacific Island Folk by: Kaye Bewley SACRED OIL '¦ Tahiti is home to a traditional ingredient that is just now working its way across the world. Since the early 1920s, Tamanu Oil has been studied in hospitals and by researchers worldwide, with impressive results. Islanders and local natural healers say that Tamanu Oil has a unique ability to heal tissue, thereby speed up wound healing and the growth of healthy skin. In Pacific island folk medicine, Tamanu Oil is applied liberally to all manner of skin problems (cuts, scrapes, burns, insect bites and stings, abrasions, acne and acne scars, psoriasis, diabetic sores, anal fissures, sunburn, dry or scaly skin, blisters, eczema, herpes sores, athletes foot, as well as foot and body odour). The Tahitians also massage Tamanu Oil into the skin as they believe it helps to relieve neuralgia, rheumatism and sciatica. Polynesian women use it for helping to clear blemished skin and use it for their babies nappy rash and skin eruptions. 'The Tamanu Tree of a thousand virtues' grows to 25 or even 30 metres in height, with long, spreading limbs. Its trunk is typically thick with dark, cracked bark and its strong timber was once highly sought after by Polynesian boat builders as material for canoe hulls and boat keels. The branches are covered with shiny, dark green oval leaves, and small white flowers with yellow centres. Its blossoms give off a delightful, sweet perfume and the fruit of the tree, about the size of an apricot, has a thin flesh and a large nut kernel inside. Tamanu nut is a botanical oddity. When the fruits of the tree are collected and cracked open, the blond nut kernel inside contains no apparent oil. But when the kernels are sun-dried on a rack for 1 - 2 months, they turn a deep chocolate brown colour, and become sticky with a rich, pleasant-smelling oil. Using a simple screw press, the oil is squeezed from the dark kernels and the resulting oil is dark green and luxurious. Though the oil is thick and rich, once it is applied to the skin it is readily and completely absorbed, leaving no oily residue. In '1918
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