Monoi de Tahiti - Polynesian Paradise For Your Skin
Think of where various plant oils originate from: soybean and
corn oils suggest images of Midwestern cornfields, sweet almond
hails from California, olive from Italy, sesame and moringa from
India, and Monoi de Tahiti from the South Pacific.
Monoi, which translates as 'scented oil,' comes exclusively from
Tahitian coconuts. The genus of Cocos nucifera that grows in
this island brings to mind images of coconuts, but also the
native flower, Gardenia tahitensis. Similar to jasmine, the
white petals of this flower also have a distinct sweet floral
aroma that some find reminiscent of another sultry flower that
thrives in a hot, humid environment: tuberose. The Tahitian
gardenia contains seven petals and is used by natives to
decorate their hair. The scent is used naturally as the closed
gardenia blossoms are placed into a bowl of water and their
scentual magic is gradually dispensed. Additionally, the
gardenia's buds are turned into leis. Of all the Tahitian
flowers, the one used most for traditional medicine is the Tiare
Gardenia. Yet the moisturizing properties that come from using
Tiare flowers in the making of monoi oil are its most remarkable
and famous application.
Tiare Flowers While the tiare flower is distinctive from the
aroma of the fresh coconuts, which serve as the base for Monoi
de Tahiti, this wonderful version of gardenia also contains
soothing, purifying, and skin helping properties. The tiare
flowers are soaked in the refined coconut oil for approximately
two weeks, their lovely and healthy fragrances intermingling to
form this lovely skincare product.
Coconut According to the Monoi Institute: "The oil is obtained
from naturally-dried coconuts of the Cocos Nuciferas variety
growing exclusively on the coral soil of French Polynesia. It is
extracted at the first pressing with no added chemicals. The raw
oil thus obtained is then refined."
Coconut oil is also remarkably stable and this long shelf life
is attributed to the high amounts (up to 50%) of lauric acid
content since the saturated fatty acid helps stave off oxidation
and spoiling. Another benefit is the fact that coconuts contain
antimicrobial properties.
Appellation Since Monoi de Tahiti is becoming increasingly
popular, there are many online and offline imitators. A way to
ascertain that the Monoi de Tahiti is from Polynesia is to see
if the product contains an appellation logo. "The name, Mono