COMMON NAME: Leptospermum, Manuka, New Zealand Tea Tree

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Leptospermum scoparium

FAMILY NAME: Myrtaceae (Myrtle)

INDIGENOUS COUNTRY: New Zealand

COUNTRY OF PRODUCTION: New Zealand

HISTORY INFORMATION: Native New Zealanders, known as the Maori, and early European settlers used Manuka for urinary complaints, reducing fevers, colds, rheumatism, and dysentery. The emollient white gum, called Pia Manuka, was given to nursing babies and was also used to treat scalds and burns. They also chewed it to ease a bad cough and relieve constipation. Fresh sap was drawn from a length of the trunk and taken as a breath and blood purifier. The seed capsules were boiled, and the fluid used externally to bathe bruises and inflammation. This fluid was also taken internally to treat diarrhea and dysentery. Captain Cook gave Manuka the name of "New Zealand Tea Tree." It is said that the Captain thought the leaves made a very agreeable tea though a little bitter. If one made the tea too strong, one would vomit.

GENERAL INFORMATION: There is a very similar oil made in New Zealand and it is called kanuka, L. ericoides. They seem to be interchangeable. Practical trials to date have shown Manuka effective against athlete's foot, ringworm, candida, and other skin infections. Dr. Cooke of Cawthron Institute has studied Manuka and found that Manuka was 20-30 times more active than Tea Tree against bacteria and 5-10 times more effective against fungi. There seems to be a marked difference between Manuka from the East Cape of Australia and other places. The East Cape Manuka was the one that Dr. Cooke used in his studies. There are several different chemotypes of Manuka.

DESCRIPTION OF PLANT: An evergreen shrub growing to 10 ft. producing red flowers.

PARTS PROCESSED: Leaves and branches

PROCESSING METHODS: Steam distilled

COLOR RANGE: Yellow brown

CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS: Class: Sesquiterpene?Ketone. Triketones, cubebene, copaene, amorphene, selinene

PHYSICAL ACTIONS AND USES: Analgesic, antidepressant, antifungal, antiseptic, disinfectant, sedative, vulnerary. Used to calm, reduce stress and tension, to ease breathing, uplift, improve mental clarity, relieve aches and pains, loosen tight muscles, disinfect, heal the skin. Use for sunburns, athletes food, nail bed infection, itchy scalp - dandruff, acne, foot and body odor, insect bites and stings.

MENTAL USES: I am in control of my life. I can be in the world without being of the world. Whenever I feel out of balance, I always know that nature is there to balance me. The secret to countering mind control is to love yourself.

EMOTIONAL USES: Lost, bored, useless, busy, dull, don't care, miserable, drab, TO self-involved, out of step with society but in step with yourself, happy, color is vivid in your life, the simplest things give you pleasure.

SPIRITUAL USES: Can indicate that you are out of your natural rhythm and timing. Life may have become meaningless and dull to you. There is a natural rhythm even to the most boring of chores and there can be delight in the simplest, yet most tedious tasks. You are being challenged to find the excitement in the boring or everyday. On a deeper level calling for Manuka can indicate that you are being controlled especially through your mind. You are not doing what you want to be doing or what is right for you, but what your parents, spouse, or society want you to be doing. You are following a script which you did not write, but that has been written for you. It is time to get back to nature and listen to the natural sounds of birds, frogs, insects, etc. Get off the clock. Know that you have your own internal clock. Stop watching TV and be in silence. Begin to listen to you. You know what you want to do. Do you have the courage to do it?

APPLICATIONS: Bath, diffusor, inhaler, massage, mist spray, steam inhalation.

WARNINGS\CONTRAINDICATIONS: Not tested so advoid in pregnancy and with children and infants