Healthy Body
 Manuka Honey & Oil

Manuka Oil for Skin Irritation & Problems, Athlete Foot, Fungal Infections and Dandruff

Traditional Uses of the Manuka Tree

Manuka Honey and Manuka Oil are nature's greatest secret for healing the skin of skin irritations, athlete foot, fungal skin infections, fungal nail infections, dandruff, rashes and other skin problems. Although it is only in the last decade that the Manuka tree has begun to be recognized and understood through science - the Maori Indians or, the indigenous people of New Zealand, have long known the strength and healing ability of the Manuka tree.

Manuka honey and Manuka oil has been used to treat a range of skin problems including chronic sores, ring worm, eczema, fungal infections (athlete foot and fungal nail infections), scalp itch and dandruff. Others reported that a decoction of leaves were drank for urinary complaints and to reduce fever. The leaves were boiled in water and inhaled for head colds, blocked sinuses, hay fever, even bronchitis and asthma. Leaves and bark were boiled together, and the warm liquid was rubbed on stiff backs and rheumatic joints. The leaves and young branches were put into vapor baths. The crushed leaves were applied as a poultice for many skin diseases and were directly applied to wounds and deep gashes to enhance healing and reduce the risk of infection. The young shoots were chewed and swallowed for dysentery. The bark, the sap, and the seed capsules of the Manuka were also used extensively for treating various ailments.

Clearly, Manuka was an important medicinal plant, both to the Maori Indians and to the early European settlers who, in the early years of settlement, depended on Maori knowledge of medicinal plants in treating their own illnesses.

Scientific Research

Although the Manuka tree had attracted scientific interest in the past, little had been found of real importance, until some manuka oil samples tested by Dr. Cooke of the Cawthron Institute showed some remarkable results.

The Cawthron Institute research, conducted on behalf of the Company, showed that the oil produced from the Manuka trees, in the Te Araroa region of the East Cape, showed antimicrobial activity far greater than had been seen with other Manuka oil samples and greater than many other natural oils.

The testing showed Manuka Oil to be active against a wide range of micro-organisms that cause skin irritation and infection of the skin and body. Some of them, serious- such as MRSA (more commonly known as the H-bug) and other more common ones such as those that cause Athletes Foot. Cawthron Institute and Crop & Food Research established that East Cape Manuka Oil is at least 15 times more effective than Australian Tea Tree Oil against-gram positive bacteria (Staphylococcus and streptococcus) including antibiotic resistant strains. It is also at least five times more effective than Australian Tea Tree Oil against some fungi, including those responsible for Athletes Foot.

Furthermore, research conducted for the Company has determined that the reason for the unusually high levels of antimicrobial activity is due to the presence of relatively high concentrations (20 to 30%) of cyclic triketones particularly Leptospermone, iso-leptospermone and Flavesone. These compounds also appear to be responsible for the beneficial effect of restricting the diffusion of toxins and lessening the adverse reaction to insect bites and stings. They also have a calming effect to itchy and irritated skin increasing anecdotal evidence also now supports the ability of Manuka Oil to reduce muscle and joint pain and inflammation associated with injury and arthritis, when applied topically.

Effectiveness of Manuka Honey and Manuka Oil

Research found that not all Manuka Oils from New Zealand are biologically active. Only Manuka oil from the East Cape region of New Zealand contains high levels of "triketones", the naturally occurring chemical compound that provide the anti-bacterial and anti-fungicidal properties. All Manuka Oil is batch tested by Crop & Food Research to verify all Manawa Manuka oil products contain high levels of triketones to ensure their healing ability.

Manuka Oil Production

Manuka Oil used in the Manawa products is produced at Te Araroa on the East Cape, a clean, unpolluted natural environment. The special Manuka trees grow naturally on the hilly farm and bush lands around Te Araroa. These naturally occurring forests of Manuka have not been genetically modified, nor sprayed with pesticides, herbicides or any other chemicals. 

Teams of harvesters trim the trees by hand and gather the young trimmed brush and pack it into wool bales. This harvesting process is sustainable and low impact on the environment allowing re-harvest within two years.

The packs of freshly trimmed brush are transported to the small factory in Te Araroa where they are processed to extract the Oil. The Oil is extracted by gently steaming the Manuka brush to release the essential oil from the leaves. This process is known as pure steam distillation and uses no chemicals during the extraction. It is this pure Manuka Oil that is then used in the Manawa Manuka Oil products.

 Applications for Manuka Honey, Oil, Cream and Soaps

We offer a range of personal care products based on the unique and powerful antimicrobial and antifungal activity of Manawa Manuka Oil produced in Te Araroa on the East Cape of New Zealand.:

• 100% Pure Manawa Manuka Oil - $17.95

• Mild Manawa Manuka Oil (10%) - $12.95

• Manawa Manuka Cream (4%) - $13.95

• Manawa Manuka Soap (1.5%) - $5.95

• Manawa Manuka Honey $24.00

	Mild Sunburn - Apply cold water to remove heat and gently rub Manuka Cream into affected areas to help relieve stinging and later skin itching.		Oily Skin and Pimples - Wash daily with Manuka Soap. Apply Pure Manuka Oil as a spot treatment for problem acne areas.
	Fungal Skin Infections, Fungal Nail Infections - Apply a few drops of Pure Manuka Oil with a cotton ball, twice daily. Continue to apply for 5 days after visible signs of infection have gone.		Skin Irritation, Chafing and Rashes - Wash regularly with Manuka Soap and apply Manuka Cream twice daily as required.
	Itching Scalp and Dandruff Home Remedy - Add 10 drops of Pure Manuka Oil to a normal amount of shampoo and massage into wet hair and scalp to relieve scalp itch. Leave for five minutes before rinsing.		Foot and Body Odor - Wash daily with Manuka Soap. For foot odor, rub Mild Manuka Oil or Manuka Cream into feet 3 times per week. Also protects against fungal infection.
	Cuts, Scratches and Abrasions - Apply Pure Manuka Oil.		Insect Bites and Stings - Apply Mild Manuka Oil or Manuka Cream to help relieve itching and inflammation and prevent infection.
	Athletes Foot Treatment - Apply a few drops of Pure Manuka Oil with a cotton ball, twice daily as an athlete foot remedy. Continue to apply for 5 days after visible signs of the fungus infection have gone.		Aching Muscles and Joints - Massage Mild Manuka Oil into tired and aching muscles and joints.

Aromatherapy

Manuka Oil is rapidly gaining popularity in the field of Aromatherapy. Some aromatherapists believe that although the effectiveness of Manuka Oil as a bactericide and fungicide is dramatic -- Manuka Oil has another side to it. A leading German Aromatherapist, Ruth von Braunschweig, reports on the sensual, "feel good" side of Manuka Oil, stating it to be beneficial for people with over sensitive nervous systems and those who suffer from stress and anxiety. Conditions that often manifest themselves in allergic reactions.

She states that "Manuka Oil" is very effective for many skin problems. It strengthens the psyche and at the same time stabilizes the skin, it makes it more resistant, because it is relaxing for the skin nerves as well as cell activating and regenerating for the outer skin layers. The skin doesn't overreact constantly, it doesn't come out in a rash so fast. Therefore Manuka is helpful for sensitive skin, especially itching, acne, badly healing skin, inclination to fungal infections, ulcers, bedsores and infections.