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Project Noah Nature School
Aleurites moluccana
Geographic area of origin: introduced to several regions in the Pacific by the ancient Polynesians Common uses/hazards/importance: fuel source, emollient, ink for tattoos and as a poultices for headaches. Oil is an irritant Date and method of arrival in Hawaii: 1959, it was spread by humans across the Pacific Ocean. Indigenous? Yes Endemic? No Invasive? No Other interesting historical, cultural, or ecological information: Hundreds of years ago Hawaiians discovered that when the shells were removed from Kukui nuts and the kernels lightly roasted clear oil could be pressed out. This was an excellent penetrating oil that when smoothed on the skin soothed and softened sunburns and irritations. Newborn babies were bathed in this easily absorbed oil. This treasured health and beauty secret has been rediscovered by Oils of Aloha and is produced today in the same pure form as it was years ago.
Spotted on Aug 13, 2012
Submitted on Sep 19, 2012
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