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TEA TREE (New Zealand)

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Medicinal Uses

scurvy

skin disinfection

eczemas

psoriasis

itching

dandruff

thrush

athlete’s foot

acne

sore throat

sinusitis

bronchitis

urinary issues

dysentery

diarrhea

fever

colds

body aches

cold sores

cuts

sunburn 

joint pain

insect bites

itching

migraines

ringworm

stress

fatigue

anxiety

wrinkles

congestion

respiratory distress

removes skin tags

wound healing

constipation

blood purifier

colic

blood pressure 

  • While Australian tea tree oil has been used as a common antibacterial since the early 1920s, studies show that mānuka is 20 to 30 times more effective against Gram-positive bacteria. Research attributes the oil’s powerful antibacterial abilities to the levels of β-triketones present in the oil.

  • Very effective against viruses, bacteria and fungi and also reduces swelling.

  • Decoctions and infusions of bark are astringent, alleviate gastro-intestinal inflammation and have a soothing action. Manuka honey has proven antibacterial properties.

  • Carr (1998) reported that Manuka can be effective against cysteine proteases implicated in muscle wasting diseases, such as muscular dystrophy, viral replication, tumour invasion etc., building on previous enzyme inhibitory properties shown by manuka (Carr 1991).  

  • A decoction of the leaves was drunk for urinary complaints and as a febrifuge (an agent for reducing fever).

  • The steam from leaves boiled in water was inhaled for head colds.

  • A decoction was prepared from the leaves and bark and the warm liquid was rubbed on stiff muscles and aching joints.

  • The emollient white gum, called pai Manuka, was given to nursing babies and also used to treat scalds and burns.

  • Chewing the bark is said to have a relaxing effect and it enhances sleep.

  • Kakariki parakeets (Cyanoramphus) use the leaves and bark of mānuka and kānuka to rid themselves of parasites.

  • Holistic Healer, Phylameana lila Desy, states that honey made from the nectar of this shrub (called manuka honey) is a part of honeybee therapy and can be used to treat infections like MRSA.

  • It is also a useful anti-inflammatory helpful with muscular and joint aches and pains.

  • Manuka Oil is actually 100 times stronger than Manuka honey when compared gram for gram and is 30 times stronger than Tea Tree Oil

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Common Names

Manuka, Manex, New Zealand tea tree, manuka myrtle, broom tea-tree, wild alpine manuka, red manuka, tea rose plant, kahikotoa or just tea tree

Botanical Name

Leptospermum scoparium

Family

Myrtaceae  (Myrtle Family)

Parts Used

The leaves, seeds, flowers, bark and branches

Therapeutic Actions

anti-allergenic

anti-bactericidal

anti-dandruff 

anti-depressive

anti-fungal

anti-histaminic

anti-inflammatory

anti-microbial

anti-oxidant

anti-parasitic

anti-rheumatic

anti-septic

astringent

diuretic

febrifuge

hypertensive

insecticidal

vermifuge

NOT ANTI-VIRAL LIKE AUSTRAILIAN TEA TREE OIL

Proper Use

Essential manuka oil is produced by steam distillation.

There are no reported clinical studies of manuka oil on which dosage recommendations can be based.

Diffusion: Use three to four drops in the diffuser of your choice.

 

Topical use: Apply one to two drops to desired area. Dilute with a carrier oil to minimise any skin sensitivity. 

Manuka honey has been used anecdotally as a prebiotic. A study evaluated the safety of consuming 20 g of honey daily for 4 weeks found no adverse effects on GI flora.(Wallace 2010 )20 mL of the honey taken 4 times daily for 6 weeks was evaluated in oral mucositis.(Bardy 2012)

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Formulary

 

Calming Effect

Mix with lavender, cedar wood or sandalwood.

Uplifting Effect

Mix with the firs.  White fir, Douglas fir,  Siberian fir.

Blends well with Wintergreen, Basil Linolool, Bergmot, Chamomile Roman, Clary Sage, Cypress, Eucalyptus, Geranium Bourbon, Ginger Grapefruit Pink, Lavender, Lemon, Marjoram, Patchouli, Peppermint Western US, Petitgrain, Rosemary 1,8-Cineole, Sage Dalmatian, Sandalwood, Australian Tea Tree, and Thyme Linalool.

Cultivation

This species is often confused with the related species kānuka – the easiest way to tell the difference between the two species in the field is to feel their foliage – mānuka leaves are prickly, while kānuka leaves are soft.

This plant is best grown in USDA Zones 9 to 10. It is native to Australia and later became naturalized in New Zealand but is considered to be an invasive shrub in the state of Hawaii. If you live in a cooler USDA zone, you can still have this plant in your garden. Simply plant it in a container and bring it in each winter, making sure to harden it off to ward off shock. Find a location that offers full sun to partial shade. Flowering will be better if the plant is situated in a full sun spot.

This shrub will be anywhere from 2 to 20 feet tall and wide depending on the cultivar chosen and growing site. You can create new plants through the use of seed germination and taking cuttings. Invite bees to your garden to aid in pollination by planting this shrub.

Constituents

  • 100 constituents, of which 51 were identified and made up about 95% of the content. The typical chemical composition of the oil is

  • triketones (approximately 20%)

  • sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (60 – 70%)

  • monoterpene hydrocarbons (approximately 5%)

  • Leptospermone

  • Flavesone

  • E-calamenene, alpha-pinene, cadina-3, 5-diene

Energetics/ Organoleptics

  • SMELL: rich, spicy, sweet, herbaceous and woody aroma

  • TASTE: Bitter, sharp and spicy

  • COLOR: Clear yellow liquid

  • FEEL: Thin and watery in viscosity

  • NOTE: Middle note

  • Purifying, clears heat, infections, used for physical stamina

  • Use Manuka essential oil to ground and center energies while shielding yourself in preparation for deep meditation.

  • Considered the "Oil of the Silent Warrior", helps to bring strength from the inside out and set goals, helps you feel confident and persevere. 

  • Great for purification, protection and healing.

  • Helps you to stop any vengeful feelings and feelings of loss.

  • Has a masculine and feminine energies so it is very balancing.

  • Helps animals who have been abused or stressed.

  • Connected to the solar plexus chakra; soft supported, loving radiant and friendly.  Helps you work with anyone.

  • Mix with

Contradictions

  • Avoid use during pregnancy because of reported spasmolytic activity.
  • L. scoparium contains a lipophilic flavonoid that specifically interacts with benzodiazepine receptors (GABA-A receptor-chloride channel complex).

History

  • The manuka or 'tea tree' is a common small tree or shrub found around New Zealand, particularly in drier areas where it is generally the dominant shrubland plant. The manuka plant is related to the Australian 'tea tree' (melaleuca)

  • Though this has tea tree in the name, this is not the source of the tea tree oil used in alternative medicine. That product comes from the narrow-leaved tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) which is an Australian native that is also in the Myrtaceae family but in a different genus. 

  • The scientific name Leptospermum is derived from the Greek leptos = thin, fine; and sperma = seed. It describes the appearance of the feather-light seeds.

  • New Zealand’s proximity to the hole in the ozone layer may also play a role in mānuka’s medicinal talents, since many native plants such as mānuka have adapted to defend themselves against the high levels of UV-B light by producing more polyphenols, which in turn have stronger antioxidant and antibacterial properties.

  • Maori folklore attributes the kanuka as being the ‘male’ tree and manuka the ‘female.

  • The Latin scoparium means “like broom”, referring to Northern Hemisphere genera such as Genista and Cytisus which it superficially resembles, but to which it is only distantly related.

  • The wood was often used for tool handles and carving.

  • Mānuka sawdust imparts a delicious flavor when used for smoking meats and fish.

  • It is cultivated in New Zealand for mānuka honey, produced when honeybees gather the nectar from its flowers, and for the pharmaceutical industry.

  • The essential oil is produced by steam distillation of its leaves.

  • Manuka, as it is called by most New Zealanders, was used in pre-European times by Maori, and still is.

Research & References

Bardy J, Molassiotis A, Ryder WD, et al. (2012).  A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised trial of active Manuka honey and standard oral care for radiation-induced oral mucositis. Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2012;50(3):221-226.21636188

 

Cooke, A. and Cooke, M.D. (1994). An Investigation into the Antimicrobial Properties of Manuka and Kanuka oil. Cawthron Report 263 pp24.Institute of Pharmaceutical / Biology and Hygiene Institute, University of Heidelberg, Germany

 

Hospital of the University of Zurich, Switzerland. (2013). Independent Test Comparisons of New Zealand Manuka vs Australian Tea Tree Essential Oils.

Wallace A, Eady S, Miles M, at al. (2010).  Demonstrating the safety of manuka honey UMF 20+in a human clinical trial with healthy individuals. Br J Nutr. 2010;103(7):1023-1028.20064284Weston RJ, Brocklebank LK. The oligosaccharide composition of some New Zealand honeys. Food Chem. 1999;64:33-37.

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