Saturday, September 16, 2017

An Introduction to Pili Oils

Did you know that there are THREE different pili oils?

Elemi, which has come out in the news as a revered anti-aging ingredient, comes from the tree sap. It was most commonly harvested from the canarium luzonicum or "piling liitan" of Quezon, but is also harvested from other canarium trees like canarium indicum, canarium commune... 

Our elemi resin is sustainably-harvested from Bicol's prized pili trees, the canarium ovatum. Farmers we support are trained in proper resin tapping and are therefore able to harvest elemi resin without killing or harming their pili trees.

Pili Pulp Oil, which comes from the pili fruit pulp, was used since ancient times (from folk stories). Yet the extraction process was almost forgotten until recently (around 1998 or so) when a few Bicolanos and researchers became interested in this oft discarded part of the pili tree. Melinda Yee of Leslie Pili pioneered mechanical, solvent-free extraction of pili pulp oil and trained many communities on the simple process. Today, pili pulp oil is used in premium skin care and bath and body products.

Ever heard of the pili lipstick? Pili pulp oil is the pili oil used here.

When people talk about pili oils, they are most likely referring to either the pili pulp oil or elemi essential  oil. However, there is a third "pili oil"!

Pili Kernel Oil is extracted from the most popular part of the pili tree - the delicious pili nut! Also called pili nut oil and pressed from one of the rarest, most expensive nuts in the world, our pili kernel oil is cold-pressed from hand-sorted, export-quality, peeled and dried pili nuts.

Being one of the first local producers to make pre-sprouted or activated pili nuts, we are in the best position to make cold-pressed pili kernel oil because we slow-dry peeled nuts instead of roasting them.

High-heat extracted pili nut oil is easily obtained as a by-product of pili nut processing, however, nut oils that have undergone heat treatment (e.g. roasting) are likely oxidized. 

Pili kernel oil is pricey, but those who want a vitamin-rich skin, hair, and nail oil will find this fast-absorbing oil a treat for dry, damaged skin.

To understand key differences between the three  pilioils we make, check out this summary.

If you want to try pili oils, please send inquiries to 



SMS/Viber: +639556155738 or +639226246655

paleoishop@gmail.com