Mānuka
Mānuka plantation growing in Whakatāne at Native Tree Farm
Mānuka is more than a source of honey. While the flower's nectar is known for the MGO and UMF-rated mānuka honey, the leaves reveal a different side of the tree.
Together they invite a richer experience and share a story of the mānuka tree and everything it has to offer.
Mānuka Tree Varieties
Mānuka is a small to medium sized tree that grows throughout New Zealand. It has small spiky, aromatic leaves.
The mānuka tree family contains different tree chemo types. This chemo type variation has an effect on the flavour and bioactive properties within the mānuka leaf.
Mānuka chemo types fall into 3 main categories with variations within these categories.
Chemotype Categories
Below are the 3 main categories, within these categories are different variations. The B-triketone type is known for its skin healing properties.
B-Triketone chemotype — B-triketone dominant oil
Monoterpene-rich chemotype — Monoterpene dominant oil
Sesquiterpene-rich chemotype — Sesquiterpene dominant oil
Traditional Māori Uses
Māori used mānuka in a variety of ways. The leaf was used as a hot infusion. It was a valued plant that served a variety of daily needs. Both external and internal uses were common practice.
Internal Uses
A liquid tonic was made and consumed for the following ailments:
- Digestive complaints
- Fever sicknesses
- Urinary infections
- Inflammation in the body
- Stomach ache (berries chewed and swallowed)
External Uses
Used by creating a poultice with the bark and leaf and covering the affected area:
- Wound care
- Inflamed skin
- Cuts and infected wounds
Organic mānuka brush
How We Work With Mānuka Leaf
At Native Tree Farm, our Mānuka Leaf is certified organic, from seed and cultivation right through to processing. We manage everything onsite. It is time consuming but also very rewarding for us to be able to complete the whole process.