Tiare flowers are used to make monoi oil, which has important cosmetic properties for skin and hair. We discover the uses and care of this Tahitian plant.
What is the tiare flower?
Its scientific name is Gardenia Tahitensis and it is a medium-sized shrubby plant, widespread mainly in tropical and subtropical areas. The white flowers of this plant require high temperatures and can be affected even at temperatures as low as 10°.
Symbol of Tahiti, it is known for the manufacture of typical necklaces worn by the inhabitants. Moreover, the very etymology of the name recalls that of “tiare”, a sort of crown that surrounds the head. They open towards the sky at sunset to diffuse their perfume.
Besides their use as ornamental and decorative plants, flowers are also widely used in cosmetics. Their use for body and hair beauty is related to their pleasant scent and beneficial properties.
The differences between frangipani and tiare
It is not the same flower although they look very similar. Frangipani is another name for Plumeria or Pomelia, the beautiful flower symbol of Palermo, belonging to the Apocinaceae family.
Tiare is a gardenia that grows almost exclusively in Tahiti due to the particular composition of the soil and climate. They are both white and fragrant, but the Pomelia has 5 petals, while the Tiare has 6, thick and wide and yellow or pink in color, while the Tiare flowers are flat and entirely white.
The scent of tiare
The tiare flower has a specific and intense scent that is released especially in the evening, but is not very persistent. This is why we find on the market different perfumes that recall distant and exotic paradises such as the island of Tahiti, where this particular gardenia grows, or that recall coconut oil, in which it is macerated to give monoi oil.
What are the properties of Tiare flowers?
The oil obtained by macerating the flowers in coconut oil is called monoi or monoi oil.
Thanks to its antioxidant and elastic properties, products containing it are guaranteed to repair damage caused by tanning and slow down the loss of tan. The concentration of antioxidant substances (such as vitamin E and ferulic acid) protects the skin from the harmful action of free radicals.
The presence of lauric acid, for its part, seems to promote the antiseptic action of monoi.
The application of the oil on the skin of the face is associated with a preventive effect on the formation of wrinkles. Its fatty acid content makes it useful as a make-up remover applied on a cotton pad.
On the hair too, this oil has a protective, nourishing and moisturizing effect, fighting against dryness and dandruff and promoting styling.
Finally, to ensure perfect relaxation and a moisturizing and firming effect on the skin, monoi is ideal as a beneficial massage oil.
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