Mānuka Essential Oil - Origin, Distillation, Uses & Properties
Origin: Whakatāne, New Zealand is where our mānuka trees grow. They produce their leaves for pure essential oil and floral waters for skin care as well as dried leaf for herbal tea.
Extraction: Slow Steam distillation
Certification: Certified organic
Mānuka Essential Oil
Mānuka essential oil is pure and concentrated, distilled from the tiny spiky, leaf of the mānuka tree. Mānuka leaf generates a small amount of oil, alot of leaf is needed to produce a single litre of its oil.
There is a belief among some distillers that the best time to distill mānuka oil is during the Summer months. At this time you can almost see the oil on the outside of the leaf and it is easier to distill. We choose to distill right throughout the year when we require the oil.
Producing mānuka oil
For us a typical oil production run starts with the harvesting of the trees. We clip the mānuka branches and collect the leaf and prepare it. It's then packed tightly into the still. Fresh water is then placed into the distiller and turned on for the next stage. The procedure is long but rewarding. Someone is required to be present and check in on the still every 20 minutes, it takes 5–6 hours to create this special essential oil.
Oil quality
The quality of mānuka essential oil depends on the overall quality of the materials/ ingredients used to produce it. Still temperature can have an effect on the final aroma of the oil.
Natural compounds
The composition of Native Tree Farm Mānuka essential oil has been analysed using gas chromatography. It shows a special blend of properties as well as being high in β-triketones.
Our oil shows a profile rich in β-triketones, leptospermone, isoleptospermone and flavesone. These compounds are known for their strong anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
Other compounds in our pure essential oil include calamenene, cis-muurola-3,5-diene, and β-elemene. These compounds are associated with anti-inflammatory and skin-supporting properties.
Aroma profile
Some mānuka oils have a musty and almost sweaty aroma that can discourage people from using it. Our mānuka essential oil has a different aroma profile. It contains floral top notes and woodsy, herbaceous depth. It is believed that land and atmosphere contribute to an essential oils aromatic profile. We live high above sea level and believe this alongside our cultivating and harvesting processes have an effect on the aroma profile of our oil.
Uses for mānuka essential oil
Mānuka essential oil continues to grow in popularity and is used as an ingredient in wellness formulations, including:
- Soaps and facial cleansing bars
- Hair care products and anti-dandruff applications
- Acne and blemish treatments
- Eczema and wound care
- Sunscreen formulations
- Aromatherapy
- Cosmetic oils with a focus on skin care benefits
- Body creams, bath salts and foot creams
Native Tree Farm Mānuka essential oil is certified organic and contains a β-triketone rich profile, making it an excellent option for skin and body care. If you want to use mānuka this way, see our mānuka essential oil here.