Guide to essential oils

Essential oil of Manuka

New Zealand tea tree, Manuka essential oil is known for its broad-spectrum purifying properties. When diffused, it is used in particular to purify the air. Manuka essential oil is also an ideal ingredient for skincare products for skin with blemishes. The gentle scent of Manuka essential oil is highly valued.

How to use

  • Food grade

    Food grade

    Possible but not recommended

  • Aromatherapy bath

    Aromatherapy bath

    Appropriate

  • Skin application and massage

    Skin application and massage

    Suitable

  • Diffusion

    Diffusion

    Suitable

  • Cosmetic active ingredient

    Cosmetic active ingredient

    Suitable

Features

Properties and uses

Precautions

Find out more

Features

Production process

Complete steam distillation

Part of the plant used

Branches

Botanical name

Leptospermum scoparium

Warning

The properties, information and methods of use below are quotes from reference books or websites on aromatherapy, hydrolatherapy and phytotherapy. This general information is provided for informative purposes only and in no way constitutes medical guidance. Under no circumstances can this information be used as a substitute for a medical diagnosis, consultation or follow-up, nor can it incur our liability. We recommend that you consult the guide to essential oils before using them, so that you are aware of any precautions that need to be taken. If in doubt, consult a doctor before using essential oils.

Properties and uses

Manuka essential oil is traditionally used for: Abscesses, boils, paronychia, acne, spots and fungal infection.

Health

Beauty

Find out more

Properties

Manuka essential oil is renowned for its health properties:

  • Powerful atmospheric antiseptic

  • Very powerful antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties (20 times more effective than tea tree oil on certain bacteria and germs).

  • Rich in anti-inflammatory and healing active ingredients

  • Anti-histamine

  • Expectorant

Uses

It is traditionally used to improve the following situations:

  • Skin infections, abscesses, ringworm, ulcers, blisters, verrucas, herpes, fungal infections, superficial wounds, sunburn, overheated skin, minor burns, impetigo, insect bites, eczema, varicose ulcers, bedsores, shingles, etc.

  • Mouth care: gingivitis, tonsillitis, mouth ulcers, bad breath

  • Insect bites, allergies

  • Respiratory: bronchitis, catarrh, colds, flu, sinusitis, coughs

  • Prevention of winter infections

Synergies

  • Skin problems: essential oils of tea tree, Lavender, Palmarosa, etc.

  • Respiratory comfort: Ravintsara, Narrow-leaved Eucalyptus essential oils, etc.

In practice

Soothing for the skin: Mix into your oil blend. Massage or rub the mixture into the affected area.

Respiratory comfort: blend into your oil blend. Massage or rub your mixture into the chest and upper back.

Mouthwash: Mix into your mouthwash preparation (use a dispersant).

For baths and footbaths: Mix into your dispersible bath preparation. Pour your mixture into warm bath water. Breathe in and relax.

Air purification, respiratory comfort: Air diffusion.

Precautions

  • Not suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding women, or for children under the age of 6.

  • Exceptional internaluse to be recommended by therapists only.

  • Avoid contact with eyes.

  • Keep out of reach of children.

  • Certain natural compounds contained in this essential oil may present a risk of allergy for certain sensitive individuals when the essential oil is incorporated into a cosmetic composition (in accordance with the 7th Amendment to the European Directive on cosmetic products (2003/15/EC)): limonene and linalool.

  • As a general rule, always carry out a test application of your mixture, in the crease of the elbow, at least 48 hours before using it.

Find out more

Manuka is a shrub that can grow up to a height of 3 metres, and is native toAustralia, Tasmania and New Zealand. One of 80 species of Leptospermum, it is a member of the Myrtaceae family.

It has small, fragrant evergreen leaves and white, fragrant flowers. English speakers call it the 'New-Zealand tea tree' because the Aborigines use its leaves.

It should not be confused with the real tea tree, which is actually Melaleuca alternifolia.

Equivalents

Essential Oils

1 ml = approximately 35 drops (with our Aroma-Zone dropper caps)

Carrier oils

1 pump (Aroma-Zone aluminium pump) = approx. 0.15 ml

Mass / Volume conversion (for a liquid)

Mass (g) = Density x Volume (ml) at 20°C

Further information

1 full teaspoon = between 3 and 4.5 ml

1 full tablespoon = between 7.5 and 10 ml


However, these spoon ratios depend on a number of factors (e.g. viscosity of the liquid, temperature, depth and size of the spoon, rheological behaviour of the liquid), and we strongly advise you to use precise measuring equipment, such as graduated test tubes, graduated pipettes, and precision scales.

Aromatherapy recipes from the bibliography

EO = Essential Oil VO = Carrier Oil or Macerated Oil

Honey and blue cypress healing balm (after sun) (S. Macheteau)

Health & wellbeingSkin problems

  • 30 g kokum butter

  • 10 g rice bran wax

  • 10 g baobab carrier oil

  • 1 teaspoon aloe vera gel

  • 1 teaspoon plant-based glycerine

  • 1 espresso spoon of manuka honey

  • 10 drops of blue cypress essential oil

  • 5 drops of manuka essential oil

Directions: Melt the wax and butter in the carrier oil in a bain-marie. When the wax has melted, remove from the heat and leave to cool for a few minutes. Add the remaining ingredients and blend with a whisk or pestle. Pour into the jar before the mixture hardens.

Use: Melt a small dab of balm in your hand and then apply to the sunburnt areas of your body, massaging thoroughly.

Immune-boosting oil (N. Purchon)

Health & wellbeingLow energy, fatigue

  • Manuka essential oil: 20 drops

  • Bergamot essential oil: 30 drops

  • Rosewood essential oil: 20 drops

  • Thyme essential oil: 10 drops

  • Grape seed carrier oil: 5 tablespoons

Directions for use: Use this oil as a body massage or add to a warm bath.

Skin or nail fungal infections (L. Bosson)

Health & wellbeingSkin problems

  • Ahibero essential oil: 40 drops

  • Manuka essential oil: 20 drops

  • Ginger essential oil: 20 drops

  • Palmarosa essential oil: 80 drops

Directions for use: Apply a few drops of this mixture 3 to 5 times a day to the area to be treated until the rash disappears.

Bibliography

1

'Huiles essentielles - 2000 ans de découvertes aromathérapeutiques pour une médecine d'avenir'

Dominique Baudoux

2

'Aromathérapie' Éditions Maloine

Dr Jean Valnet

3

'L'aromathérapie exactement'

P. Franchomme and Dr D. Pénoël

4

'La bible de l'aromathérapie'

Nerys Purchon

5

'L'ABC des huiles essentielles'

Dr Telphon

6

'Aromatherapy'

Nelly Grosjean

7

'Les huiles essentielles pour votre santé'

G. Roulier

8

" Les cahiers pratiques de l'aromathérapie française - Pédiatrie" - Editions Amyris

Dominique Baudoux

9

Aroma-News newsletters from the NARD association

10

'L'aromathérapie - Se soigner par les huiles essentielles' - Editions Amyris

Dominique Baudoux