TEA TREE (New Zealand)

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

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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

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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).

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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.