The “Other Tea Tree” Oil from New Zealand: Have You Heard of Manuka Oil?

It’s hard not to praise the wonders of tea tree oil. In fact, I have several times. This versatile, potent, and beloved oil was previously highlighted in my two-part series about Melaleuca alternofolia on the Essential Oil Revolution podcast.

Although tea tree oil is one of the most famous oils in its “family,” there are other relatives which also have impressive benefits. Due to the familiarity of the amazing, multi-faceted uses and applications of tea tree oil, these relations tend to get overlooked.

Manuka (Leptospermum scoparium) oil is one such oil that doesn’t get enough attention. It has earned the nickname “New Zealand Tea Tree Essential Oil” based on where it is located and its wide-range of traditional uses. Although it’s not a melaleuca oil, it is still related to it.

I discovered this essential oil a few years back and fell in love with its pleasant and comforting aroma and its soothing skin properties. I had heard of manuka honey, and when I researched this essential oil I discovered it also had many “sweet” wellness benefits.

In this video blog, I will share with you all I learned about manuka oil.

Topics include:

• Manuka oil’s botanical background
• The chemical makeup of manuka oil
• Actions of manuka oil
• The aromatherapy profile of manuka oil
• Potential uses of manuka oil

As always, all the resources, references, and studies will be in the resource section and links in this accompanying article.

So, let’s get started.

 

Manuka (Leptospermum scoparium) Oil’s Botanical Background

Although manuka is not the same genus or species as Melaleuca alternofolia (tea tree), it does belong to the same myrtle family (Myrtaceae). This family of dicotyledon plants is quite large and includes other well-known members such as myrtle, clove, guava, allspice, and eucalyptus.

Manuka plants (Leptospermum scoparium and Kunzea ericoides) are indigenous from New Zealand. The ancient Maori people were reported to use the plant for a diverse range of ailments. These included: skin aggravations, gastrointestinal upset, dental care, and immune support.

It was said that Captain James Cook used the tea leaves to combat scurvy in his expeditions of the Southern hemisphere. New Zealanders learned from this explorer and incorporated his application of using the dried leaves of the Manuka plant in beverage form. (1, 2, 3)

According to Drugs.com (formatting mine):

Commercial development of the essential oils has led to a range of OTC products marketed in New Zealand and exported to European and Asian markets.

These products are used for topical treatment of various conditions including the following:

• • fungal and bacterial skin infections
  • inflammation from sunburn
  • insect bites
  • joint pain
  • eczema or psoriasis
  • … perfumes and soaps

The inclusion of manuka oil in various remedies across the seas demonstrates that it has therapeutic benefits that are not well-recognized in North America.

 

The Chemical Makeup of Manuka Oil

Manuka oil contains over 100 constituents with 95% of its volume comprising of 50% of them. L. scoparium populations of New Zealand vary greatly in oil chemical composition and activity. As with all essential oils, differences in the compounds found in manuka oil are related to the plant’s particular species phenotype, location, environmental conditions, and harvesting and distillation methods. (4, 5, 6)

The species variances (polymorphisms in makeup of the plant) of manuka result in different essential oil chemotypes (predominant compound found within the essential oils of a species). (7, 8, 9) For example, one chemotype could be rich in triketones (noted for their antimicrobial activity), a second could contain eudamosol and linalool (found in lavender and attributed to its soothing effect), a third may be high in pinenes (phytoncides that are immune supportive and cortisol lowering), and the fourth may have none of these constituents!

As an example, a review of standardized steam distillation and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of the essential oils of New Zealand L. scoparium populations identified the following constituents in various quantities per species:

• alpha-pinene
• beta-pinene
• myrcene
• rho-cymene
• 1,8-cineole
• linalol
• methylcinnamate
• alpha-farnesine
• isoleptospermone (triketone)
• leptospermone (triketone)
• sesquiterpenes such as cadina-3,5-diene and delta-amorphene
• other triketones

In comparison, Aroma Web lists some of these same compounds, but there are only a few overlaps (bold emphasis of common constituents mine):

• leptospermone (triketone)
• (E)-Calamenene (sesquiterpene)
• a-Pinene
• cadina-3,5-diene
• delta-Cadinene (sesquiterpene)
• a-Copaene (sesquiterpene)
• favesone (triketone)
• dadina-1,4-diene
• B-Selinene (sesquiterpene)
• a-Selinene (sesquiterpene)
• Isoleptospermone (triketone)

These contrasts in the chemical makeup of maunka essential oil can make standardized uses for it difficult in aromatherapy and may be another reason it is not as acclaimed as the Australian tea tree oil. In fact, in 2005, the International Journal of Aromatherapy stated that as more focus was placed on manuka oil, the importance of obtaining the proper quality for therapeutic use is indicated (i.e., pure oils with standardized amounts of compounds):

… The oil from these plants has been commercially available to aromatherapists for more than a decade.

In this time, attention has been given to the antiseptic and antimicrobial actions of the oils.

Of most interest to researchers and aromatherapists is the presence of B-triketones, present in the manuka oil.

These triketones are believed to significantly contribute to the antimicrobial action.

More recently, it has emerged that there are significant geographical variations affecting the composition of these oils.

Whilst a full understanding of the therapeutic implications is some way off, it is important for aromatherapists to appreciate that these differences exist and the oils selected may match the intended therapeutic purpose.

Aroma Web recently commented on the recent developments of the commercial availability of the biochemical makeup of manuka oils on the market, stating:

Like many essential oils, Manuka Essential Oil can vary in its composition based on where the tree is grown.

However, I’ve noticed that most Manuka Essential Oils that I’ve seen to date are particularly abundant in sesquiterpenes (50-70%) followed by approximately 20% ketones with single percentages of sesquiterpenols and monoterpenes.

 In comparison, Australian Tea Tree Essential Oil (Melaleuca alternifolia), is most abundant in monoterpenes and monoterpenols with a small amount of oxides (particularly 1,8 cineole).

 

Actions of Manuka Oil

Due to its variances of compounds, manuka oil can have multiple effects. The species with chemotypes containing triketones have been researched in several in vitro and in vivo studies. Results have supported the following actions of the oil:

• Antimicrobial
• Antiviral
• Antifungal
• Photoprotective of skin (Mice)
• Pest repellent
• Anti inflammatory
• Antispasmodic
• Dental supportive

 

Aromatherapy Profile of Manuka Oil

Aroma Web states the aromatic effects of manuka oil based on one of the authorities in aromatherapy, R. Von Braunschweig:

Within his Manuka Essential Oil Profile, Salvatore Battaglia shares that “Von Braunschweig says that manuka is a protective oil similar to myrrh and cedarwood.

She says that old psychic scars get smoothed and that the sesquiterpenes stabilise and protect the nervous system and balance the sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves.

Manuka’s vitalizing scent is well suited to gentle souls who express themselves through sensitive skin or frequent digestive upsets.”

[R. Von Braunschweig. Manuka, Kanuka and Tea Tree Oil – 3 Eessential Oils with Interesting Effects on the Psyche. Proceedings of the Australiasian Aromatherapy Conference, Sydney, 1998. Source cited in Salvatore Battaglia, The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy (Australia: The Perfect Potion, 2003), 228.]

 

Potential Uses of Manuka Oil

Based on its chemical constituents, research, and traditional uses, the following are potential indications for manuka oil:

• Infections
• Respiratory issues
• Skin infections (bacterial and fungal) and irritations
• Pest control
• Inflammatory conditions
• Emotional stability (aroma)
• Calming the nervous system (aroma and topical)

 

Summing Up About Manuka Oil

Manuka essential oil is getting more attention based on its diverse and unique range of chemical compounds. Known for its microbe-inhibiting triketones, it also consists of various constituents that have traditionally been used for soothing skin issues, aiding digestion, alleviating infections, and for supporting dental health. Commercial products in New Zealand and pre-clinical studies have validated many of these uses.

Today, many aromatherapists favor manuka oil’s pleasing and calming aroma and skin rejuvenating properties. As more is being revealed about this essential oil, I’m sure the New Zealand people will be vindicated for favoring their “tea tree oil” as a similar versatile powerhouse to the Australian tea tree oil version.

Have you used manuka oil? If so, I’d love to hear about your experience.

Share below.

Thanks for taking the time to learn more about manuka oil and the science and applications of essential oils to better care for your body, mind, and soul.

Sending you many blessings.

 

Interested in Learning More About Essential Oils?

• Access for my free weekly newsletter.
• Sign-up for my no-cost, exclusive, space-limited Mind-Body-Heart-Spirit Passion (MBHS) webinar.
• Grab free resources and more education on essential oils and mind-body wellness here.
• For Health Care Providers: Earn CEU’s From My Course on the Clinical Applications of Essential Oils.
• Learn about my community membership program.
• Calm your nervous system and decrease stress with the Parasympathetic Blend
• Skim through my branded essential oils website.
• Join my Essential Oils DIY Recipe Group (Facebook)
• Take the Wyld Notes quiz to find your personalized, all-natural, non-toxic signature scent here. (Click here for your 10% coupon code.)

Resources:

• Why You Want to “Stick” with Manuka Essential Oil (My article with references)
• Tea Tree Oil: A Popular, Versatile, and Potential Regulatory Threatened Essential Oil: Part I (418 of the EOR podcast with detailed show notes)
• More on the Many Wonders of Tea Tree Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia: Part II (419 of the EOR podcast with detailed show notes)
• Melaleuca (New World Encyclopedia)
• Manuka Essential Oil (Aroma Web)
• Manuka Oil (Drugs.com)
• A fresh look at manuka and kanuka essential oils from New Zealand. (International Journal of Aromatherapy December 2005.15(3):141-146.)
• Essential oils from New Zealand manuka: Triketone and Other Chemotypes of Leptospermum scoparium. (Phytochemistry. 2004 May;65(9):1255-64.)
• Triterpenoids and Flavonoids from Leptospermum scoparium. (Phytochemistry. )
• M?nuka Oil-A Review of Antimicrobial and Other Medicinal Properties (Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2020 Oct 26;13(11):343.)
• Investigations of Kanuka and Manuka Essential Oils for In Vitro Treatment of Disease and Cellular Inflammation Caused By Infectious Microorganisms. (Journal of Microbiology, Immunolyg, and Infection. 2016 Feb;49(1).)
• Pharmacological and Antimicrobial Studies on Different Tea-Tree Oils (Melaleuca alternifolia, Leptospermum scoparium or Manuka and Kunzea ericoides or Kanuka), originating in Australia and New Zealand. (Phytotherapy Research. 2000 Dec;14(8):623-9.)
• Topical Administration of Manuka Oil Prevents UV-B Irradiation-Induced Cutaneous Photoaging in Mice. (Evidence Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2013; May 26;2013:930857.)
• 12 Manuka Oil Benefits Scientifically Analyzed. (Superfoodly, 2020, cross-referenced studies.)
• Factors Affecting Chemical Variability of Essential Oils: a Review of Recent Developments. (Natural Product Communication, 2009.)