Traditional Uses of the Manuka Tree
Manuka Oil is nature's greatest secret for healing the skin of skin irritations, athlete foot, dandruff, rashes and other skin minor problems. Although it is only in the last decade that the Manuka tree has begun to be recognized and understood through science - the Maori people, the indigenous people of New Zealand, have long known the strength and healing ability of the Manuka tree.
Manuka oil has been used to treat a range of skin problems. The bark, the sap, and the seed capsules of the Manuka were also used extensively for various ailments.
Clearly, Manuka was an important plant, both to the Maori people 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 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. Cawthron Institute and Crop & Food Research established that East Cape Manuka Oil is much more effective than Australian Tea Tree Oil.
Furthermore, research conducted for the Company has determined that the reason for the unusually high levels of 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 minor muscle and joint pain, when applied topically.
Effectiveness of 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." 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 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.