Manuka
Leptospermum Scoparium
Manuka Oil is a gorgeous essential oil that can be used in skincare and aromatherapy. It can be used to boost your skin's moisture, as well as alleviating dandruff or an unhealthy scalp. Overall it is a great product to keep in your skincare product as when used regularly it can provide amazing results.
History of Manuka Oil
The Manuka tree is native to New Zealand, where it has been used by the indigenous Maori since long before Captain Cook landed in 1769. The Maori used Manuka trees in all aspects of their lives: the strong outer wood to build their homes and make weapons, the softer bark to waterproof their homes and the leaves for traditional medicine. Some disorders that the Maori treated with Manuka were back pain, burns and skin conditions. During long voyages, Cook’s settlers used the leaves to prevent scurvy and the seeds to treat wounds and other ailments. Later, Manuka leaves were commonly used to make tea by the Europeans who settled in New Zealand.
It was only in the past half-century that New Zealand descendants discovered a way to turn the Manuka plant into an oil. They realised that its antimicrobial nature was such an effective treatment of wounds that it could even work where antibiotics did not. Nowadays, Manuka Oil is used topically to treat a wide range of ailments, including body odour, throat problems, dermatitis and head lice, and its anti-inflammatory properties are used to treat joint pain and sinus problems. Being an antioxidant, Manuka Oil is often mixed with skincare products to reduce redness and maintain healthy skin. Like Tea Tree Oil, it is used to treat acne, but Manuka Oil considered the gentler alternative. As well as for personal treatments, Manuka Oil is used around the world as a natural alternative to chemical cleaning products. The antibacterial works on carpets, dishes, laundry and mould, and the sweet, earthy smell makes it great for aromatherapy!
So, how has Manuka Oil become so popular?
With strong roots in Maori tradition, Manuka Oil was perhaps made more famous by its close cousin, Manuka Honey. Although the honey form is most commonly known, Manuka Oil is rumoured to be 100 times more potent! The Manuka tree can grow up to around 8 metres tall and is one of the first to grow in areas of deforestation, which has probably also helped us all to remember it.
Although a more recently embraced essential oil, Manuka Oil is now so popular that some people even use it on their pets! Adding a few drops of Manuka Oil to your cat or dog’s shampoo can help their coat stay strong and healthy.
Extracting Manuka Oil
Manuka Oil is harvested very gently, using a process called steam distillation, which involves passing steam over the leaves and small twigs of the plant. The steaming process extracts the molecules that contain the oil and turns them into vapour. Later, the vapour cools down and turns into a liquid, which causes the Manuka Oil to rise to the top. Once the oil on the top has been collected, it is filtered, dried and analysed, so that the quality of the oil can be graded. From start to finish, it takes about 6 hours to extract Manuka Oil.
The process of extracting Manuka Oil is done in the most environmentally-friendly way possible. The leaves are pruned, which means the tree can still grow, and the leftover plant waste is put back into the dirt, to help future Manuka trees to grow! This reflects the supporting nature of the Manuka tree itself, which is often the first plant to flourish in an area of deforestation.
Can I extract Manuka Oil at home?
The steam distillation takes place in huge steel drums at very specific temperatures, so it might be a little tricky to replicate at home. That is unless you have all the right equipment, in which case - go ahead! We believe that you will be able to make Manuka Oil at home using a large saucepan and distilled water, but for the best quality, we recommend that you buy it online. You can make sure it is the highest quality by looking for 100% Manuka Oil with at least 20% triketones.
What do you think of Manuka Oil? Is it an essential in your collection? Our team loves to interact with you all and hear your stories. So, feel free to reach out to one of the team today!
The process of extracting Manuka Oil is done in the most environmentally-friendly way possible. The leaves are pruned, which means the tree can still grow, and the leftover plant waste is put back into the dirt, to help future Manuka trees to grow! This reflects the supporting nature of the Manuka tree itself, which is often the first plant to flourish in an area of deforestation.
Can I extract Manuka Oil at home?
The steam distillation takes place in huge steel drums at very specific temperatures, so it might be a little tricky to replicate at home. That is unless you have all the right equipment, in which case - go ahead! We believe that you will be able to make Manuka Oil at home using a large saucepan and distilled water, but for the best quality, we recommend that you buy it online. You can make sure it is the highest quality by looking for 100% Manuka Oil with at least 20% triketones.
What do you think of Manuka Oil? Is it an essential in your collection? Our team loves to interact with you all and hear your stories. So, feel free to reach out to one of the team today!
Manuka Oil Varieties
Manuka Oil Varieties
Although the Manuka tree grows in many areas of New Zealand, the best variety comes from the East Cape. The oil has different properties depending on where the tree that it was extracted from grew. Manuka Oil from trees in Northern New Zealand generally has higher levels of the chemical pinenes, those from the East Cape have higher triketones, and those from the rest of New Zealand have a combination of sesquiterpenes. Studies have found that higher levels of triketone are related to better antimicrobial characteristics, which is why Manuka Oil from the East Cape is usually the best variety.
So, which variety of Manuka Oil should I buy?
Unlike other essential oils, the best Manuka Oil comes from one specific place. We recommend looking for Manuka Oil from the East Cape in Northern New Zealand. You should also buy a variety with at least a 30% concentration of triketones, as this is the percentage needed for effective bacteria-fighting. We recommend reading the reviews before you buy any essential oil, as well as checking out the company you buy from beforehand. If you want to buy pure Manuka Oil, look for products that say 100% Manuka Oil. That way, you can make sure it isn’t diluted. As with most essential oils, the higher your budget, the better quality you will be able to find, so try not to be tempted by cheaper imitations! If you live in New Zealand or a nearby country, you will probably be able to find high-quality East Cape Manuka Oil for a lower price, but if you live very far away, we recommend buying online.
What do you think of Manuka Oil? Do you have it in your essential oil collection? As always, the Essentially Yours team loves to hear how you’re getting on with your oils and what you’re using them for. So, feel free to reach out to one of the team today!
So, which variety of Manuka Oil should I buy?
Unlike other essential oils, the best Manuka Oil comes from one specific place. We recommend looking for Manuka Oil from the East Cape in Northern New Zealand. You should also buy a variety with at least a 30% concentration of triketones, as this is the percentage needed for effective bacteria-fighting. We recommend reading the reviews before you buy any essential oil, as well as checking out the company you buy from beforehand. If you want to buy pure Manuka Oil, look for products that say 100% Manuka Oil. That way, you can make sure it isn’t diluted. As with most essential oils, the higher your budget, the better quality you will be able to find, so try not to be tempted by cheaper imitations!
What do you think of Manuka Oil? Do you have it in your essential oil collection? As always, the Essentially Yours team loves to hear how you’re getting on with your oils and what you’re using them for. So, feel free to reach out to one of the team today!
Benefits of Manuka Oil
Manuka Oil has become popular more recently than other essential oils, but the tree from which it is extracted has been used in traditional medicine for hundreds of years. Often compared to its Australian cousin, Tea Tree Oil, Manuka Oil is well known for its antibacterial and healing properties.
So, what are the benefits of using Manuka Oil?
Anti-bacterial
Manuka Oil can help burns, cuts or scars to heal by fighting infection, reducing inflammation and soothing the wound. As it is antimicrobial, you can also use it as a chemical-free alternative to cleaning your house or body. Although it is an effective anti-bacterial, it is so gentle that you can even use it to clean your pets!
Anti-dandruff
By soothing and nourishing your scalp, Manuka Oil can help reduce itchy, flaky skin on your head. If you use it on your hair, it will also double up as a conditioner! Add a few drops into your shampoo and use as normal, or mix a little with your favourite carrier oil for a DIY hair mask.
Wound Aid
Dilute a few drops in a glass of water and dab the mixture on the wound to harness the healing power of Manuka Oil
Better skin
Manuka oil is used to treat acne, but also to maintain healthy skin. You can apply it directly to problem areas or mix a few drops into your favourite moisturiser or carrier oil. It is also used to fight wrinkles and sun damage, and its anti-inflammatory characteristics help reduce redness - it is basically a great addition to any skincare routine!
Decongestion
If you have a cough or cold, put a few drops of Manuka Oil in a bowl of hot water and inhale the steam. This DIY steambath will help clear sinuses and relieve flu symptoms.
These are only some of our favourite benefits of Manuka Oil, there are many others to explore for yourself! It is important to remember that everyone is different, and what works for one person might not work for another. If you are putting any essential oil on your skin, we recommend doing a patch test 24 hours before.
Uses of Manuka Oil
Manuka Oil is made from the leaves and small twigs of the Manuka tree, which the Maori used for hundreds of years before the oil was first extracted. Although better known in honey form, Manuka Oil is a staple in many skincare and household routines, due to its gentle but effective bacteria-fighting capabilities. Its antibacterial properties are so strong that it has sometimes been found to fight infection in areas where antibiotics failed!
So, what can I use Manuka Oil for?
Acne
If you suffer from acne, redness or just want to maintain a healthy regime, Manuka Oil can help to cover blemishes and fight grime on your face. For problem areas, you can apply a few drops directly to your skin; for everyday use, try adding a few drops to your usual moisturiser. You could also add a few drops into boiled water to create a DIY steam facial - you are welcome!
Aromatherapy
Due to Manuka Oil’s gentle soothing nature, it has recently become popular in aromatherapy. Its smell is sweet and earthy and is used to nourish the soul and balance the mind.
Cold and flu
As with acne, a steam bath infused with Manuka Oil is the perfect to assist with a blocked nose or a sore throat.
Home cleaning
Like many essential oils, Manuka Oil is a great natural alternative to cleaning products, especially if you don’t like using harsh chemicals. Mixing a few drops with warm water will make a great floor cleaner, for example.
Human and pet hair
Although Manuka Oil is an effective anti-bacterial, it is also gentle enough to use on sensitive skin. You could add a few drops to your favourite carrier oil (we recommend coconut!) for a DIY hair masque that will leave you with cleansed and hydrated hair. You could even add a few drops to your pet’s shampoo - it really is that gentle!
Wound aid
One of the first uses of the Manuka plant was to help treat cuts, burns, sores and parasites. The natural antifungal, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties of the oil help skin heal by first fighting the infection, then reducing inflammation and finally soothing and promoting scar tissue restoration. Dilute a few drops in a glass of water and dab the mixture on the wound to harness the healing power of Manuka Oil.
Blends well with
Here at Essentially Yours, we love sharing our knowledge to help you get the most out of your essential oil collection. Whether you want to learn about its history, or how it was extracted, we have all the answers. We are truly passionate about providing a platform where you can learn all there is to know about your essential oil. In this blog, we are going to talk about Manuka Oil and what it blends well with. Manuka Oil is relatively new and is well known for its gentle but powerful infection-fighting capabilities. It has a sweet, earthy aroma, so it blends well with citrus and herb fragrances.
So, what other oils does Manuka blend well with?
Bergamot Oil
Spicy but sweet, Bergamot and Manuka Oil complement each other perfectly. The tart citrus of bergamot complements the woody aroma of manuka to create a fruity, natural fragrance.
BUY NOW
Coconut Oil
One of our favourite carrier oils, Coconut Oil mixes well with just about any essential oil! The sweet, nutty smell perfectly complements the earthy fragrance of Manuka Oil, and the two together are a recipe for a beautiful moisturising hair masque. If you find that your DIY hair mask has gone hard, do not worry! Coconut Oil goes hard at cooler temperatures, so just hold it in your hand for a few seconds to melt it.
BUY NOW
Grapefruit Oil
Another common oil used in skincare, Grapefruit Oil’s tangy flavour works fabulously with earthy Manuka. Both essential oils are very effective but very gentle, so a blend of the two makes for a calming facial cleanser. To create your own facial mist, add a few drops of both oils along with some water into a spray bottle and voila!
BUY NOW
Jojoba Oil
Another mix for skincare serenity, jojoba oil is a great carrier for more potent oils such as Manuka. If you have sensitive skin but still want to harness Manuka’s benefits, mix just one drop of Manuka Oil with a Jojoba Oil base for a gentle healing serum for dark spots or blemishes.
BUY NOW
Lavender Oil
Lavender Oil is one of those essential oils that mixes well with just about anything, but we particularly love it with Manuka Oil! If you want to create a calming atmosphere, a few drops of soothing Manuka and full-bodied lavender in an electric diffuser will certainly have the whole room relaxed.
BUY NOW
Lemon Oil
As you might be guessing, we love the combination of Manuka Oil and citrus! There is something so soothing about the combination of fruit and earth. For a natural, environmentally-friendly surface disinfectant, add a few drops of Lemon and Manuka Oils, some vinegar and water into a spray bottle and spray before wiping.
BUY NOW
