The Science Behind Manuka Oil

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Manuka oil is an essential oil derived from Leptospermum scoparium, a plant that has been used by the indigenous populations of Australia and New Zealand for centuries. Both the extracted oil and its individual components have been associated with various medicinal properties. 

How is Manuka Oil made?

Manuka oil is an essential oil created through a steam distillation process, used to purify or isolate temperature-sensitive natural compounds, in Manuka tree leaves (Leptospermum ). Native to Australia, Manuka has been used for centuries as a potent natural medicine. Utilising our elite genetics, our plantations supply premium quality Manuka oil for the health, medicinal, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.

What are the beneficial properties of Manuka Oil?

Manuka oil is rapidly becoming a must-have essential oil given its many scientifically-proven benefits and healing properties. Numerous international peer-reviewed studies highlight the powerful therapeutic benefits including:

• antibacterial
• antiviral
• antifungal
• anti-inflammatory
• antihistaminic
• anti-aging

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The versatility of Manuka Oil is demonstrated through its wide-ranging commercial applications including:

• Wound and scar healing
• Cold sore treatments
• Acne treatments
• Anti-aging cosmetic products
• Personal hygiene products

Why am I only just hearing about this?

Given the rise in resistance to conventional antibiotics, natural products have been targeted for the development of antimicrobials which are still effective.

However further clinical evidence on its efficacy, safety and dosing guidelines as well as work on regulation, standardization and characterization of the medicinal properties of manuka oil is required for implementation for medical purposes and to bring this product into mainstream use. 

The microbe killer with a 99.9% kill rate! 

The naturally occurring β-Triketone compounds, including flavesone, leptospermone, iso-leptospermone and grandiflorone, are the driving force behind Manuka oil’s efficacy. The antimicrobial efficacy of a substance is determined by the rate in which microbes, such as harmful bacteria, are destroyed.
The power of Manuka oil is undeniable given the 99.9% microbial kill rate demonstrated in scientific studies. Bacteria can be classified as gram positive and gram negative based on their cell wall structure.
Examples of gram-positive bacteria include Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus Pyogenes and Propionibacterium acnes. Scientific studies have shown that Manuka Oil is up to 1500x more effective than Tea Tree oil against a wide range of gram-positive bacteria.
Research suggests Manuka oil may have a critical role to play in treating infections and immune-related diseases. The need for new therapeutic alternatives has been driven by the concerning reality of many microorganisms becoming antibiotic resistant.

The alarming rate of hospital-acquired infections prompted researchers to examine the efficacy of Manuka oil in treating disease and cellular inflammation caused by infectious microorganisms such as E.coli and Staphylococcus aureus. This research is critical given that many of the microorganisms can live for extended periods on surfaces and have become antibiotic resistant. The study, which utilised the broth microdilution method, proved the strong antimicrobial properties of Manuka oil with 100% inhibition of the bacteria tested and the low concentrations required to kill the examined fungus. Importantly, these effects occurred without harming the immune system.

See: Chen, Yan, Yen , Wu, Liao, Huang ,Wen and Wang (2016). Investigations of kanuka and manuka essential oils for in vitro treatment of disease and cellular
inflammation caused by infectious microorganisms. Journal of Microbiology, Immunology and Infection, 49 (1), 104-111.

Prevention & treatment of viruses

Research has also shown that Manuka oil is effective in preventing and treating the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection. HSV-1 is a life-long, highly contagious virus with varying severity from cold sores to serious systemic illnesses in immunocompromised people and newborns. Researchers tested HSV-1 in vitro on RC-37 cells using a plaque reduction assay. Manuka oil was added at different times to the cells during the infection cycle. The results showed HSV-1 was significantly inhibited when the viruses were pretreated with Manuka oil 60 minutes prior to cell infection. HSV-1 was found to also be significantly inhibited by Manuka oil when testing cells that had been infected with the virus. Manuka oil’s high levels of virucidal activity as shown in the study, in conjunction with its efficacy against HSV-1 strains that are drug-resistant, demonstrates its power in pharmaceutical and cosmetic products.

See: Reichling, Christine, Stahl-Biskup, Cornelia and Schnitzler, Paul (2006). Virucidal activity of a β-triketone-rich essential oil of leptospermum scoparium
(Manuka Oil) Against HSV-1 and HSV-2 in Cell Culture. Planta medica, 71, 1123-7.

Is Manuka Oil really anti-aging?

Yes! The potent anti-oxidant and sesquiterpene compounds in our Manuka oil make it powerful in the fight against aging. Research suggests Manuka oil possesses anti-photoaging activity by inhibiting skin inflammation caused by UVB and protecting cells from damage from free radicals.
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is known to be one of the most damaging environmental factors causing premature aging. Korean scientists studied the effect of a topical application of a 10% diluted solution of Manuka oil and ethanol for a period of 8 weeks. The research found that the antioxidant
and sesquiterpene compounds in Mauka oil significantly reduced skin thickening, wrinkle formation, inflammation and collagen fibre degradation caused by UV damage. Its success in fighting premature aging has resulted in a dramatic increase in the commercial application of Manuka oil in skin care and anti-aging products.

See: Kwon, Jung and Yang (2013). Topical Administration of Manuka Oil Prevents UV-B Irradiation-Induced Cutaneous Photoaging in Mice. Evidence Based
Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2013: 930857. Published online 2013 May 26. doi: 10.1155/2013/930857

The Science:

• Christoph, Kaulfers and Stahl-Biskup (2000). A Comparative Study of the in vitro Antimicrobial Activity of Tea Tree Oils s.l. with Special Reference to the
  Activity of β-Triketones. Planta Med, 66(6):556-60. doi: 10.1055/s-2000-8604.
• Takarada, Kimizuka,Takahashi, Honma, Okuda and Kato (2004). A comparison of the antibacterial efficacies of essential oils against oral pathogens. Oral
  Microbiol Immunol, 19, pp. 61-64
• Chen, Yan, Yen , Wu, Liao, Huang ,Wen and Wang (2016). Investigations of kanuka and manuka essential oils for in vitro treatment of disease and cellular inflammation caused by infectious microorganisms. Journal of Microbiology, Immunology and Infection, 49 (1), 104-111.
• Kwon, Jung and Yang (2013). Topical Administration of Manuka Oil Prevents UV-B Irradiation-Induced Cutaneous Photoaging in Mice. Evidence Based
  Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2013: 930857. Published online 2013 May 26. doi: 10.1155/2013/930857
• Reichling, Christine, Stahl-Biskup, Cornelia and Schnitzler, Paul (2006). Virucidal activity of a β-triketone-rich essential oil of leptospermum scoparium
  (Manuka Oil) Against HSV-1 and HSV-2 in Cell Culture. Planta medica, 71, 1123-7.

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