In French Polynesia the Tamanu tree was always considered sacred by the Polynesians, due to its therapeutic virtues. It was often planted in the vicinity of the royal marae, the famous open air temples of the ancient Maohi. It is said that the gods liked the shadow and gathered under the branches of the tree during the ceremonies.

The wood of the tree was formerly used for construction of pirogues, a small boat type, or for carving of sculptures of Maohi gods.

Ancient Polynesians knew about the curative and regenerative properties for the skin. Old legends tell how Tahitian women regularly bathed their babies in a bath of oil of Tamanu in order to prevent eruptions of skin and sunburn. Above all they used it to maintain the suppleness and softness of their skin. Narrations also recount how the oil was used for wounds and bruises, because of its unique effectiveness to regenerate tissue, thus the cicatrization, the healing process of the skin, is accelerated. The sacred character of the oil was such, that it was given to young married couples as a household gift for various remedies.