Manuka Tree is also known as New Zealand Tea Tree the source of Manuka Honey and Oil

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Known by its scientific name leptospermum scoparium, the Manuka tree is actually a tea tree that grows naturally and abundantly in New Zealand and in some parts of southeast Australia. A scrub-type tree or shrub, this tea tree is prolific.

It is an evergreen tree, having dense branches, but small leaves from 7 to 20 mm long and between 2 and 6 mm, and on its tip is a short spine.

It blooms white or pink flowers that are between 8 and 15 mm in diameter and with 5 petals.

Manuka tree is more popularly known for its health benefits such as antibacterial properties. There have been many products made from this tree.

In fact, parts of the tree are used for several treatments. The leaves and barks, for instance, are used by Kakariki in ridding the parasites.

They chew these substances, and even mix them with preen gland oil and apply the mixture to their feathers.

MANUKA HONEY BENEFITS

The flowers of the tree can collect honey, called Manuka honey, from honeybees when they gather nectar from the tree’s flowers.

It is said that the Manuka honey is darker and richer with A distinct flavor different than the clover honey. It also has strong anti-fungual and anti-bacterial properties.

MANUKA OIL INFORMATION AND USES

One product that can be made from Manuka tree is the oil, which is believed to be the nature’s greatest secret for healing skin irritations, athlete’s foot, rashes, dandruff, and other minor skin problems.

The Manuka Oil can also heal mild sunburn, aching muscles and joints, itching scalp, cuts, scratches, abrasions, insect bites and stings, and skin chafing.

In aromatherapy, this oil is gaining popularity as well as many aromatherapists use the Manuka oil to relieve stress, anxiety, and conditions such as having sensitive nervous systems.

It can strengthen the psyche, stabilize the skin to make it more resistant, and activate the cells to regenerate for the outer skin layers.

And because the skin does not over-react to the oil easily, this makes the oil good for sensitive skin.

Although the recognition by science of Manuka’s healing properties did not take place until a decade ago in Cawthron Institute Research, many of New Zealand’s indigenous people, the Maori, have been using the tree for strength and healing capacity.

In one of the researches, it showed that the oil is active against several types of microorganisms that cause skin irritation.

Capsules are another product that offers benefits. They are prepared from the tree’s bark, sap, and seeds for treatment of several ailments. A soap made from Manuka tree can cure skin irritation and chafing, and foot and body odor.

A Manuka tree prefers a drier land. It is attacked by web worms and lemon tree borers. The web worms can be eliminated by oil spray or poison, while the borers can be defeated by injecting kerosene into the bored holes. The kerosene does not have negative effects to the tree.

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