Differences Between Tea Tree Oil & Tamanu Oil

Polynesians have used tamanu oil for thousands of years externally to promote smooth and healthy skin. The Australian aboriginal people used tea tree leaves to treat cuts and wounds, especially using the oil for the germicidal and bacterial properties. Although tamanu and tea tree oils can both be used as antibacterial oils, the real differences between them is are their distinct history, unique healing effects and natural medical benefits.

Tree History

• The tamanu oil comes from 98-foot-tall tropical trees, native to Polynesia and Southeast Asia. It blossoms with small, white flowers with yellow centers twice a year. The fruit smells sweet with a lime-like fragrance and carries a large kernel inside; this kernel provides the oil.

  Tea trees were found by Captain James Cook, from Britain, in 1770 on the coastal regions of New South Wales and near where Sydney, Australia, is now. Captain Cook brewed the tea leaves for his crew to prevent scurvy. This tree produces a pale golden-colored oil.

Healing Effects

• The tamanu is used to promote healthy skin. Tt is also used on babies to prevent diaper rash. Cosmetic companies use the oil in regenerative creams for its ability to improve skin elasticity, tone, appearance and firmness.

  Tea tree oil, which comes from the Melaleuca genus of plants in the myrtle family and is mostly recognized in Australia, is more known for a first aid remedy for skin problems, such as: anti-fungal, antibacterial and antiseptic.

  A distinctive difference is that the tamanu oil benefits anti-aging through the unique ability to promote the formation of new tissue. Tea tree oil is also regarded to rapidly heal and have a mild analgesic effect, reducing pain and inflammation.

Medical Benefits

• Tamanu oil soothes sunburns and cures pimples and blisters.

  Tea tree oil is a natural remedy for hundreds of bacterial and fungal skin ailments, such as warts, boils, acne, carbuncles, bad breath, inflamed gums and plaque on your teeth. Add three drops of tea tree oil to a warm cup of water, rinse, spit out and brush teeth afterward. Tea tree oil also helps treat canker sores, laryngitis, dandruff, lice and yeast infections. Don't use tea tree oil if you are pregnant or breast feeding.

  Tamanu oil can treat diaper rash, herpes sores, athlete's foot, boils, ringworm, abscesses, jock itch and sore throat, when applied to the neck.