Tonka bean (dipteryx fragrant)

Tonka bean is the fruit of the Dipteryx odorata tree. They owe their name to the external resemblance to beans, by their nature they are not directly related to them: dipteryx has only one fruit, in which there is one seed.

Another popular name is fragrant dipteryx.

Tonka beans used to be used as a flavoring substitute for vanilla. The Dipteryx tree itself is most often used to produce wood.

Title in other languages:

• English - tonka bean, tonquin bean;
• fr. coumarouna.

The Dipteryx tree itself is fragrant, powerful and tall. It grows up to 40 m high, can reach 1 m in diameter. It has shiny green leathery leaves of large size. The barrel has a nice texture. Flowers pink to purple. From these flowers, 6-centimeter fruits are formed, inside of them is the tonka bean itself.

Dipteryx odorata can be seen in South America.

Grows only in tropical conditions. It is grown in Peru, Venezuela, Brazil, Bolivia, Guyana.

Dipteryx fruits are processed in the United States and Europe.

Tonka beans are divided into several types that are sold. Their difference lies in the size of the seeds.It is necessary to collect beans only after full ripening, because only mature seeds contain the most coumarin - the most valuable substance in these beans.

To extract coumarin from raw materials, the beans need to be soaked in rum or alcohol for half a day to a day. After swelling, the seeds are slowly dried and fermented. The result will be the appearance of coumarin crystals on their surface.

Distinctive features of tonka beans:

• The aroma is so strong that from just four beans in the room there will always be a smell of sweet vanilla and tarragon.
• Tonka beans acquire this aroma only during drying, subsequent preservation in rum and final drying.
• They have insecticidal properties.
• Dipteryx fruit extract has a positive effect on skin cells, but in cosmetology it is used mainly as part of aromatic mixtures and compositions.

In addition, the wood of Dipteryx fragrant has an unusual fibrous pattern.

100 g of beans contains 283 kcal.

In 1 teaspoon - 5.66 kcal

You can see the nutrient content in grams and percentage in the following table.

40% of tonka beans consist of oil, the composition of which is similar to peanut oil, the color of the oil is yellow.

Tonka beans contain:

• Coumarin;
• 3,4-dihydrocoumarin and other derivatives;
• Essential oil;
• Gum;
• Palmitic, oleic and other fatty acids;
• Starch;
• Stigmasterol and sitosterol.

Tonka beans have the following effect:

• warm;
• help you fall asleep faster
• relax;
• stimulate blood circulation and lymph flow;
• anesthetize;
• relieve convulsions;
• are an aphrodisiac.

• If dipteryx fruits are used for too long or if the dosage is exceeded, allergies and other harmful effects are possible.
• However, so far there have been no cases of an overdose of tonka beans.
• There is an opinion that the coumarin contained in the pords is a carcinogen. Therefore, large doses are deadly to humans.

By themselves, tonka beans are not eaten.

If they decide to use them, then only as:

• flavoring of desserts (about 10 minutes brewed in cream or milk);
• addition to rum;
• addition to chocolate;
• vanilla substitute.

• Tonka bean is used as a heart stimulant due to its chemical composition and distinctive characteristics.
• Beans are rich in coumarin, used medicinally as an anticoagulant. It prevents or slows down blood clotting.
• The bark extract strengthens the body and relieves spasms, regulates the functioning of the heart and respiratory organs.
• In folk medicine, it is used as a wound healing agent, for the treatment of convulsions and rheumatism.

Recipe to help relieve the pain of sciatica: Take 4 drops each of tropical verbena, tonka bean and cardamom essential oils (EO). Add 3 drops of black pepper EM, 2 drops of bay EM and cinnamon leaves, 1 drop of rose oil and 60 ml. macadamia oil. Apply the resulting mixture of essential oils during massage.

Recipe to reduce chronic pain: Take 5 drops each of tonka bean, orange, cedar and lavender EO and add 100 ml. vegetable oil. This mixture is used for massage.

Another effective recipe for relieving joint pain: take 5 drops of tangerine oil, add 4 drops each of tonka bean and myrtle EO, 3 drops of rhododendron oil, 2 drops of sweet acacia and bay EO and add 50 ml. macadamia oil (50 ml). Rub 3 times a day into the joint or do local baths, flavoring sea salt with this mixture):

The recipe for a mixture to relax and eliminate muscle tension (muscle rub): Take 4 drops each of tropical verbena, cardamom and tonka bean EO, add 3 drops of black pepper EO, ​​2 drops each of cinnamon (leaf) and clove EO, 1 drop of rose absolute and 50 ml. macadamia oil. Rub the muscles with this mixture.

Recipe for depression and sadness: Whisk 4 drops of lime essential oil and add 2 drops each of tonka bean and rose oils. Use the resulting mixture in an aroma lamp.

Mixture for foot massage or aroma massage: take 3 drops of tangerine oil, add 2 drops each of toffee and cedar EO, ​​1 drop of tonka bean oil and 50 ml. vegetable oil.

Blend for menopause: Take 4 drops of tangerine oil, add 3 drops each of litsea EM, tonka bean and cardamom, 2 drops each of black pepper and ginger oils, 1 drop of jasmine oil and 100 ml. macadamia oil. Massage your lower back with this mixture.

Stimulating massage oil recipe: take 4 drops of tangerine essential oil, add 3 drops each of cardamom, tonka bean and tropical verbena essential oils, 2 drops each of black pepper and ginger essential oils, 1 drop each of cassia and jasmine oils and 100 ml.vegetable oil.

Recipe recommended for flatulence, heaviness in the abdomen and bloating: take 4 drops of mandarin oil, add 3 drops of tonka bean oil, 2 drops of cardamom and ginger aroma oils, 1 drop of cumin EM and 50 ml. macadamia oil. Rub the resulting mixture into the stomach in a circular motion.

• Derived from the fruits of dipteryx, coumarin is used in perfumery and cosmetics.
• The oil from these beans stimulates metabolic processes in the skin, therefore it is included in the formulations of anti-cellulite products.
• Due to the improvement of microcirculation in tissues and increased lymph flow, serums, gels and masks are created on the basis of tonka bean oil.
• For its unique aroma, dipteryx fruits are used as a fragrance in the manufacture of massage oils, soaps, creams, shower gels.
• Since the smell of these beans is very persistent, it is added to perfumes (it is included in Guerlain products).

You can make your own perfume using the recipes below.

Take a pint of triple rose essence, add a quart of tonka bean tincture, a quart of vanilla tincture, a pint of sandalwood extract, a quart of musk tincture, a quart of orange blossom extract, a pint of geranium essence.

Take 2 quarts each of jasmine extract and triple rose essence, add 8 oz of tonka bean tincture, 4 oz of verbena extract and 2 oz of rose oil.

• The Indians living in South America were sure that the tonka beans had a magical healing power. Talismans were made from them, designed to fulfill wishes. It was believed that their owner would be lucky and healthy.
• Fresh shavings of the dipteryx tree are used as incense.
• Since tonka beans do not like moths, they can also be used in everyday life, laid out in cabinets.
• Tonka beans are loved by perfumers. It is believed that their fragrance has an erotic and hypnotic effect.
• Naomi Campbell likes the scent of sarrapia, so she uses it in her perfumes.
• Astrologically, these beans correspond to the frequency of Venus.
• In perfumery, tonka beans are often combined with other ingredients. One good addition to these beans is sage and cinnamon.

Watch the following video to learn more about tonka beans.