Manuka - (Leptospermum Scoparium)
History and Character
A medium sized schrub with small spiky leaves and pink flowers, manuka grows wild throughout New Zealand. The Maoris used various parts of it for a wide range of complaints : from head colds to fractures, burns to dysentery.
Captain Cook named it tea tree and wrote: "the leaves were used by many of us as a tea that has a very agreeable bitter taste and flavour when they are fresh, but loses some of both when they are dried."
These days the plant is best known in manuka honey, which is recommended by medical practitioners for its immune stimulant and bactericidal properties, especially for topical use on wounds and burns.
The bactericidal properties of manuka are much higher in oil produced from the East Cape, new Zealand chemotype. Energetically, manuka is cleansing and nourishing and settles anxiety. These properties are very similar to tea tree oil, but manuka is softer and more feminine.
Principal Properties - Physical
Bacterial infections and healing of wounds - Coughs, cold and flu - Muscular aches and pain - Ringworm and other fungal infections - Skin Eruptions - Ulcers and wounds, cuts and abrasions
I most often use Manuka For:
Dogs who are rundown, especially if they have eruptive skin conditions or fungal infections or tend to be anxious.
Staphylococcus or other bacterial infections.
Extraction and Characteristics
Steam distilled from the leaves and terminal branchlets of the East Cape chemotype of Leptospermum Scoparium. It is a pale amber liquid with a slightly oily texture.
Fragrance:
Pungent, herbaceous aroma with subtle spicy undertone.
Actions: Anti-allergenic, antibacterial (especially gram+ bacteria), anti-fugal, antihistamine, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, insecticidal.
Safety: Generally held to be non-toxic, non-irritant, and non-sensitizing.
Maximum dilution:
5 drops in 5 ml/1 tsp. Can be used undiluted in emergency first aid.
Reference: The Aromatic Dog: Nayana Morag