Tamanu (Calophyllum inophyllatum): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Frequently asked questions

How does Tamanu oil work to heal skin wounds?

Tamanu oil facilitates wound healing through a combination of antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and cicatrizing (wound healing) properties. Its unique profile of active compounds, specifically calophyllolide and inophyllum compounds, promotes the formation of new tissue and blood vessels. Research suggests these constituents stimulate fibroblast growth and collagen production, which accelerates tissue regeneration and reduces scarring (Evidence Level C).

Can I use Tamanu oil if I have a nut allergy?

Individuals with severe nut allergies should exercise caution or avoid Tamanu oil, as it is derived from the nut of the Calophyllum inophyllatum tree. While it is a seed oil and reactions differ from tree nuts like almonds, cross-reactivity is possible. A patch test on a small area of healthy skin is strongly recommended before widespread application to check for any allergic response or skin irritation.

Is Tamanu oil safe to use during pregnancy?

Topical application of Tamanu oil is generally considered safe during pregnancy. There is no current evidence suggesting that external use harms fetal development. However, pregnant women should avoid internal consumption of the oil. As skin can become more sensitive during pregnancy, performing a patch test prior to use is advisable to ensure no irritation occurs (Evidence Level C).

What is the recommended dosage for Tamanu oil on burns or scars?

For wound healing, burns, and scar reduction, the standard adult dosage is applying the oil directly to the affected skin area two to three times daily. The oil can be used undiluted or mixed with a carrier oil if the skin is particularly sensitive. Consistent application is key for optimal results in tissue regeneration (Evidence Level C/Traditional).

Does Tamanu oil interact with any prescription medications?

Currently, there are no well-documented drug interactions associated with the topical use of Tamanu oil. Because it is applied externally, systemic absorption is minimal, reducing the risk of interactions with oral medications. However, patients taking anticoagulants or immunosuppressants should consult a healthcare provider before use, as the oil's potential effects on blood clotting and immune response have not been extensively studied in clinical trials.

PubMed-compiled information sheet

This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.

Compiled from 30 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b

Summary

Tamanu oil, derived from Calophyllum inophyllum, is a natural product recognized for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and wound-healing properties [PMID:35069754].

Background

Tamanu oil is extracted from the nuts, fruits, and seeds of the Calophyllum inophyllum L. tree [PMID:35069754, PMID:34597168]. It is utilized in traditional medicine and cosmetics across the South Pacific, including French Polynesia, New Caledonia, and Fiji [PMID:31198623].

Traditional uses

Traditionally used to treat various skin-related ailments, skin problems, and for wound healing [PMID:35069754, PMID:38256935, PMID:27280931].

Active compounds

Bioactive constituents include neoflavonoids [PMID:27280931], calophyllolide, inophyllum [PMID:18494888], calanolide A, calanolide D, 12-oxocalanolide A, inocalophyllin A, inocalophyllin B, and 4-norlanosta-17(20),24-diene-11,16-diol-21-oic acid [PMID:38256935, PMID:33573143, PMID:41222861]. It also contains a high diversity of sterols (up to 40) [PMID:39142207].

Mechanism of action

Tamanu oil promotes cell proliferation, collagen production, and glycosaminoglycan production in human keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts [PMID:27280931]. It modulates gene expression related to cell adhesion, cell proliferation, and O-glycan biosynthesis [PMID:27280931]. In silico studies suggest binding affinity of components like calophyllolide and calanolide A for anti-scarring activity [PMID:38256935].

Clinical evidence

Evidence DWound Healing

Demonstrated wound-healing and skin-regenerating capabilities in excision models [PMID:38256935]; however, one rat study found wound contraction was significantly lower in the tamanu group compared to Centella asiatica [PMID:34597168].

Evidence DAtopic Dermatitis

An emulgel containing tamanu oil and sericin reduced scratching frequency and erythema scores compared to conventional gel in vivo [PMID:31238752].

Evidence DUV Protection

In vitro tests showed an SPF of 11.2 [PMID:33721242] to 21.5 [PMID:42084842], and clinical tests confirmed UV-protective effects with SPF 6.3 ± 0.4 and PA 2.9 ± 0.6 [PMID:41222861].

Safety & adverse effects

Case reports have documented instances of allergic contact dermatitis resulting from the use of tamanu oil [PMID:35293632, PMID:15500678].

Evidence summary

The evidence consists primarily of in vitro studies, animal models (rats/mice), and isolated case reports. While there is strong preliminary data for skin regeneration and UV protection, high-level clinical trial data (RCTs) are lacking.

PubMed sources

1.PMID: 35069754 (2021) — Potential of Tamanu (Calophyllum inophyllum) Oil for Atopic Dermatitis Treatment. · Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
2.PMID: 38256935 (2024) — An Integrated Computational and Experimental Approach to Formulate Tamanu Oil Bigels as Anti-Scarring Agent. · Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)
3.PMID: 34597168 (2021) — Evaluation of the cutaneous wound healing potential of tamanu oil in wounds induced in rats. · Journal of wound care
4.PMID: 38201090 (2023) — The Bioactivity and Physicochemical Properties of Emulsions Based on Tamanu, Moringa, and Inca Inchi Oils. · Foods (Basel, Switzerland)
5.PMID: 38427547 (2024) — Characterizations of Centrifugal Electrospun Polyvinyl Alcohol/Sodium Alginate/Tamanu Oil/Silver Nanoparticles Wound Dressing.

Tamanu

Sources & Citations

Calculate a safe dose of Tamanu