Monoi oil facts for kids
Monoï oil is a special scented oil from French Polynesia. It's made by soaking the petals of Tiaré flowers in coconut oil. The word "Monoï" (pronounced Mah-noy) comes from the Tahitian language and means "scented oil."
People in French Polynesia have used Monoï for a long time to make their skin and hair soft. It's also becoming popular in Europe and the United States. Real Tahitian Monoï oil is made following strict rules. These rules ensure it's high quality, from picking the flowers to shipping the finished oil. This special quality is protected by something called an "Appellation of Origin," which was given to Monoi de Tahiti in 1992.
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The Story of Monoï Oil
No one knows exactly when Monoï oil was first made. But its history goes back about 2,000 years to the Maohi people, who were the first people of Polynesia. Early European explorers, like James Cook, saw how the native people used Monoï. They used it for medicine, beauty, and even in their religious ceremonies.
Monoï was a big part of their lives, from when they were born until they died. Newborn babies had Monoï rubbed on them to keep them from getting too hot or too cold. When someone died, their body was perfumed with Monoï. This was believed to help them on their journey after life.
Monoï in Ancient Rituals
Ancient Polynesians also used Monoï in their religious ceremonies. In their temples, called maraes, priests used Monoï to bless sacred objects. They also used it to purify offerings to their gods.
Protecting Sailors and Divers
Maori sailors used Monoï to protect their bodies from the cold, strong winds and salty ocean water during long canoe trips. Even today, many divers rub Monoï on their bodies before diving. It helps protect them in the same way.
Monoï oil started to be made for sale in 1942.
What's in Monoï Oil?
Monoï oil is made from two main ingredients: the Tiaré flower and coconut oil.
The Tiaré Flower
The Tiaré flower (Gardenia taitensis) is the national flower of Tahiti. This small, white, star-shaped flower grows on bushes about 3 feet (1 meter) tall. It grows all year long in French Polynesia, especially in soil that comes from coral. People also call it Tiare Tahiti or Tiare Maohi.
Tiaré flowers are very important in Polynesian daily life. In traditional medicine, different parts of the flower are used to help with common problems like colds, headaches, and sunburn. Many Polynesians put a few Tiaré flowers in a small dish of water in their homes (called "fares"). This makes their homes smell wonderful. Tourists often receive necklaces made of Tiaré flowers as a welcome gift. Polynesian women, called vahine, often wear a Tiaré flower behind one ear.
To make Monoï de Tahiti, Tiaré flowers are picked by hand when they are still closed. They are quickly taken to a factory. There, the center part of the flower (the pistil) is removed. The flower petals are then placed in refined coconut oil for at least 15 days. This process is called "enfleurage," which is a French word for soaking flowers. To be real Monoï de Tahiti, at least 15 Tiaré flowers must be used for every liter of refined coconut oil.
Coconut Oil
Coconut palm trees are very important on the Polynesian islands. They cover a huge area of land. A coconut palm tree usually starts growing coconuts when it's about 6 years old. From age 10 to 70, it can produce about 60 coconuts each year. When a coconut first forms, it's empty inside. As it grows, the shell gets hard, and it fills with a clear liquid. This liquid turns into oil when the coconut is fully grown.
When coconuts fall from the trees, they are collected. Then, the ancient process of getting the coconut meat (called "almonds") begins. The hard shell is cracked open with an ax. The two halves are left in the sun for several hours. This makes the coconut meat shrink enough to be removed and broken into small pieces.
These pieces are then taken to special wooden drying sheds. These sheds have sliding metal roofs, which are used at night or during the rainy season. The coconut meat, now called coprah, dries for more than a week. It loses over 90% of its moisture during this time.
The dried coconut pieces are put into special bags made of natural fiber. They are then shipped to the only oil mill on the island of Tahiti. There, machines grind the coprah into a fine coconut flour. This flour is heated to 125 degrees Celsius (257 degrees Fahrenheit) and then pressed to make raw coconut oil. After this, the oil is further refined to remove any impurities and make it the best quality possible.
Once the coconut oil is refined, it's stored in special tanks. Only a few Monoï manufacturers buy this oil. These manufacturers then add the Tiaré flowers to the oil. Monoï de Tahiti must be stored in special sealed containers. It needs to be kept away from humidity, light, and heat.
How People Use Monoï Oil
Tests show that Monoï oil is rich in a substance called methyl salicylate, which helps soothe skin. It's a natural moisturizer that soaks into the skin. It helps hydrate the skin and protects it from damage caused by the sun and wind.
Monoï oil is used in many ways:
- After a shower or bath, it helps hydrate your skin.
- Before or after swimming, it protects your skin and hair from the sun, wind, sea, or pool water.
- As a hot oil treatment before shampooing, it helps repair and deeply condition your hair, making it shiny.
- After shampooing, once your hair is dry, it adds shine, smooths frizzy hair, and conditions it.
- A few drops in your bath water can help you relax while keeping your skin soft and subtly fragrant.
- It can be used as a dark tanning oil.
- When warmed in your hands, it's great for massaging sore body parts or warming up a tired body.
- It can help relieve pain from sunburn.
