Michelle Black
New Zealand Manuka Oil
Latin Name: Leptospermum scoparium
Family: Myrtacae
L.scoparium is a shrub or small tree that grows abundantly throughout New
Zealand. It is considered native to New Zealand, although it has been found
growing in Eastern and Western Australia, New Guinea and Southeast Asia.
Parts Used: The leaves and branches are steam distilled to produce the
oil.
Cultivation: Sustainable harvest is now practiced from wild forest and bush
areas. The areas have not been cultivated, the area is spray free and the
oil production does not destroy the tree.
Harvesting: Wild trees and shrubs used in Golden Manuka Oil, are still
pruned by hand just before and after flowering, and the material is steam
distilled.
Characteristics: The oil produced by Golden Manuka is a yellow to pale
brown oil with a honey-like, sweet aroma, and spicy, sharp taste.
Active Constituents: Analysis of manuka oil showed it contained
monoterpene hydrocarbons, a-cubebene, b-pinene, r-cymene, g-terpinene,
a-copaene,b-caryophyllene, aromadendrene, calamanene, limonene, and
myrcene; the oxide 1,8-cineole; a terpene alcohol,linalool; and esters.
L.scoparium has a range of therapeutic actions and medicinal uses similar
to tea tree. Linalool has effective sedative effects and is rapidly
absorbed through the skin and nasal mucosa. Research has shown it does have
a more powerful antiseptic and antifungal action when compared to tea tree.
Research carried out by the Cawthron Institute and Waikato University has
shown a broad spectrum antibiotic action.
Therapeutic Action: Analgesic, Anesthetic, Antiasthmatic, Antibacterial,
Antifungal, Anti-imflammatory, Antimicrobial, Antiseptic, Antiviral,
Expectorant, Fungicidal, Germicidal, Insecticide, Nervine, Sedative,
Vulnerary
Medicinal Uses: External; Skin Abrasions, Abscesses, Acne, Athritis, Burns,
Cold Sores, Cracked skin, Cuts, Dandruff, Dermatitis, Eczema, Fleas, Fungal
Infection, Gingivitis, Impetigo, Insect Bites & Stings, Lice, Muscular
Aches (blended with Lavender EO, it has been prescribed effectively for
muscular & back pain), Nail infections, Pimples, Psoriasis, Rashes,
Rheumatism, Ringworm, Skin-oily, Sores, Sunburn, Thrush, Ulcers, Wounds,
Tonsiliitis
On a horsey note, I routinely keep a bottle in the first aid kit. I have
used it successfully to treat wounds & cuts, seedy toe, thrush, mudfever &
rainscald, in a blend with chamomile to treat hives & skin reactions to
insect bites. I use it diluted in a rinse once a week after washing the
horse's and it is one of the ingredients in my homemade insect repellant.
Can you tell that Manuka is one of my favourite essential oils? I'm
Michelle Black by the way, passionate about dressage, on a voyage of
discovery about lots of other alternative "stuff".
Loves having a resource like the equinemassage list and it's diversified
bunch to learn from even if it does make my head whirl at times! Hope to
see you there too.
Please visit the Golden Manuka Oil website
