Monoi is infused oil made from soaking the petals of Tahitian gardenias (tiare) in a semi-wax coconut oil. Monoi (pronounced Mah-noy) is an ancient Tahitian word meaning "scented oil" in the reo-maohi language. Monoi is widely used among French Polynesians as a skin and hair softener. It is also popular in Europe and gaining popularity in the United States.
Today's marketplace is rife with monoi oil imitations. Authentic Tahitian monoi oil follows a strict manufacturing code that dictates the entire process, from handpicking the tiare flowers to storage and shipping of the final product. This process has been validated and protected by an Appellation of Origin which was awarded to Monoi de Tahiti on April 1, 1992.
History:
No one knows exactly when the first batch of monoi was created; however, its origins can be traced back 2,000 years to the Maori tribe: the indigenous Polynesian people of Aotearoa (New Zealand). Early European explorers who traveled to the Polynesian Islands, including James Cook, documented the natives' use of manoi for medicinal, cosmetic and religious purposes. Monoi featured prominently in the lives of these ancient people, from birth until death. It was applied to the bodies of newborns to keep them from dehydrating in hot weather, and from getting chilled in cooler temperatures. When a person died, their body was embalmed and perfumed with manoi to help facilitate their journey into the afterlife.
Monoi was also used in ancient Polynesian religious rites. During ceremonies which took place in the "maraes" (temples), Maori priests used manoi to anoint sacred objects and purify offerings to their deities.
Maori navigators used manoi to protect their bodies from cold, harsh winds and salt water during long canoe expeditions at sea. (Even today, many divers rub monoi all over their bodies prior to diving for the same purposes.)
In 1942, monoi began to be manufactured commercially. World War II may have had a hand in its commercialization, as it did many other industries.
Monoi Ingredients:
Tiare Flower: The tiare flower (Gardenia Tahitensis in Latin), from the Rubiaceae family, is Tahiti's national flower. The small white, star-shaped flower grows on 3-foot high bushes throughout French Polynesia, which features soil of coral origin, and blossoms all year long. Other names for this flower include Tiare Tahiti and Tiare Mahoi.
Beyond their contribution to Monoi Tiare Tahiti, tiare flowers are deeply rooted in everyday Polynesian life. In traditional medicine, the flower is prepared in a variety of concoctions to alleviate a range of common maladies including the common cold, headaches and sunburn. Many Polynesians enjoy placing a few tiare flowers on a small, water-filled saucer to release the fragrance throughout their "fares" (Polynesian houses). The flower necklaces that are offered to tourists as a gesture of welcome are created with tiare flowers. The vahine (Polynesian women) use them daily to for beauty enhancement.