Bitaog (Calophyllum Inophyllum) is a medium-sized tree that grows up to 25 meters tall, sometimes as large as 35 meters. It has sticky latex that is clear or opaque and white, cream, or yellow. The bole is usually twisted or leaning up to 150 centimeters in diameter, without buttresses.
Outer bark often is characterized with diamond to boat-shaped fissures, becoming confluent with age, smooth, often with a yellowish or ochre tint. The inner bark is usually thick, soft, firm, fibrous, and laminated. It goes from pink to red, darkening to brownish on exposure to the sun.
Crown is evenly conical to narrowly hemispherical. The twigs are four-angled and rounded, with plump terminal buds that are four to nine millimeters long.
The leaves are elliptical, thick, smooth, and polished. They are also ovate, obovate or oblong, about eight to 20 centimeters long.
Inflorescence is axillary, racemose, usually unbranched, but occasionally with three-flowered branches, and five to 15 flowers. Flowers are usually bisexual but sometimes functionally unisexual, sweetly scented, with a perianth of eight petals in several whorls. They are usually white in color. They have four petals while the stamens are numerous, yellow, grouped in four bundles, with anthers changing from deep yellow to brown. Only the hermaphroditic flower has an ovary, a bright pink ball that is left at the end of the stem when the petals drop.
The fruit of a bitaog is a spherical to ovoid drupe, 25-50 millimeters long. It has a thin, compact outer layer, is grayish-green in color and smooth-skinned. The seeds have large cotyledons and radicle points to the base of the fruit.
Traditional uses
In pharmaceuticals, it is known to function as an antibacterial, anticancer, antineoplastic, anti-inflammatory, antiplatelet, antipsychotics, antiviral, photoprotective, molluscicidal, and piscicidal agent.
Bitaog’s kernel contains 70-75 percent bitaog oil. Externally, it is used for indigestion and colic as well as for rheumatism. The action is analgesic while intramuscular injection of the refined oil has been used to reduce pain in leprosy. Oil extracted from the fruit is employed as a remedy for rheumatism, ulcers, and skin diseases.
Boiled bark and latex are used internally against diarrhea, externally against skin and eye diseases, rheumatism, and bath after childbirth.
Leaves, flowers and seeds are sometimes also used in local medicine.
The seed is a source of bitaog oil or tamanu oil, the sacred oil of ancient Tahitians. The oil is a potent healing agent that promotes the formation of new tissue, thereby accelerating wound healing and growth of healthy skin, a process known as cicatrisation. Bitaog oil is one of the most effective and known cicatrizing agents in nature. The oil with its unusual absorption and mild and pleasant aroma makes it ideal for use in lotions, creams and other cosmetic products.
It is also a traditional topical aid where the oil is applied to cuts, scrapes, burns, insect bites and stings, abrasions, acne and acne scars, psoriasis, diabetic sores, anal fissures, sunburn, dry or scaly skin, blisters, eczema, herpes sores, athletes foot, foot and body odor and hair loss. The oil when massaged into the skin relieves neuralgia, rheumatism, sprains and sciatica. It also has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. The ethyl ether of the oil is used as an intramuscular injection to relieve pain and symptom of leprosy. It also combats head lice and eliminates dandruff.
Contemporary uses
- Bitaog is cultivated in Manila as a shade tree on lawns and beside avenues and boulevards, particularly along the beach.
- The fragrant flowers are used in making bouquets and wreaths. They are also put in the hairs of Filipino women.
- The thin, rounded shells of the seeds are used as containers for “buri sugar”, which is sold as confection.
- The oil is also used as an illuminant, and for making soap, and may be used as varnish.
- The bark may be suitable for direct use in the tannery. Bark is used to dye fishnets.
- The fruit is edible. It is usually pickled but care must be taken with it as it contains toxins.
The timber is generally slightly heavier, stronger, and more durable than that other Calophyllum species. This is a good general-purpose timber. In several regions, the wood is much sought after for masts, spars, bridgework, and scaffolding because of the tall, slender form of the poles. Being close-grained and durable, the wood is used for boat building, railway sleepers, veneer and plywood. Having a rich reddish-brown wood, it is excellent for cabinet making. It is also used for light construction, flooring, molding, joinery, wooden pallets, diving boards, cartwheels and axles, musical instruments and blowpipes.
Boiled bark is sometimes used to toughen and dye fishing nets. The seed oil and the latex have occasionally been used for dyeing batik cloth in Java. Mixed with resin of Vateria indica, the oil is used for caulking boats.
The tree is planted for shade and for reforestation and afforestation. It also acts as an efficient shore protector in most places. Remains of the pressed seeds (oil cake) can probably be used as manure.