At ManukaRx we focus on skin health, not cosmetics. We develop only the highest quality of natural cosmeceutical and bio-active skincare to deliver real results, harnessing the powers of mānuka oil.
New Zealand is home to a unique variety of flora and fauna which have adapted and evolved over millions of years thanks to our down-under location and being surrounded by hundreds of kilometres of open water. With few neighbours to share species with, over 80% of our flora classed as ‘endemic’ or native.
New Zealand’s plants have adapted to fit our unique climate, landscape, and wildlife; therefore, there are a few key differences which set our flora apart from the rest of the world. New Zealand’s unique array of animals have influenced plant life. Unlike those from other countries, some of New Zealand’s plants rely on small, short-tongued pollinators such as bees, beetles, and flies, rather than the birds, butterflies and long-tongued bees found elsewhere, and the flowers have adapted as required.
The mānuka plant is a perfect example of this adaptation – the mānuka flowers are small, white, scented and of a simple structure to allow for easy pollination.
Thanks to our lack of wildfires, most native trees have evolved without the thick bark and large roots needed for protection from fire. Mānuka is one of the only plants prepared, with hardy bark and wood and a knack for regeneration.
Mānuka, or Leptospermum Scoparium, is a scrub-type tree which grows prolifically around coastal areas of New Zealand where land previously cleared for forestry or farming is now being left to return to native forests.
Mānuka tree is typically one of the first plants to regenerate on cleared land, it acts as a protector for the largest tree when they grow. Mānuka was discovered and treasured by the initial inhabitants of New Zealand, the Māori people. Māori boiled leaves and drank the resulting liquid for fevers, and for stomach and urinary ailments.
Similar liquids from boiled leaves and bark were used externally for sore muscles and joints, and or skin problems and dandruff. Records also show it was used as a sedative, as mouthwash and that the steam was inhaled to relieve head colds.
Mānuka β‐triketones are a class of naturally occurring organic chemical compounds found in the twigs and leaves of the mānuka tree. Mānuka β‐triketones have been shown to have remarkably high antimicrobial properties in many peer-reviewed scientific research studies.
The scientific literature demonstrates potential applications in the following areas*:
The mānuka tree grows throughout New Zealand. However, the concentration of β-triketones varies significantly depending on where you harvest the plant within New Zealand. Mānuka oil from the East Cape has been found to have the highest concentration of β-triketones in the world!
The higher the β-triketone level, the stronger the antimicrobial properties and benefits.
Mānuka oil is relatively new to the world of aromatherapy and natural skincare. Research into East Cape mānuka oil began in the late 1980s, when the Cawthron Institute decided to get a sample of East Cape mānuka essential oil tested to check its properties. And the results were incredible! So more research was done.
Mānuka oil, also known as Leptospermum Scoparium oil, is an essential oil that comes from steam-distilling leaves and growth tips from the New Zealand native mānuka tree.
Mānuka essential oil has 3 key benefits:
When used topically, mānuka oil is good for the skin because it’s an herbal alternative to harsh ingredients and works holistically to combat the signs of many common skin issues such as anti-aging and acne, helping to provide clearer clean, naturally.
Believe it or not, mānuka oil is different to mānuka honey. Although both mānuka honey and mānuka essential oil are produced from the same plant, the honey is made from bees pollinating the flowers on the mānuka tree, and the oil comes from a steam distillation process using only twigs and leaves, no flowers. Plus, East Cape mānuka essential oil has been proven to be 1,000x more powerful than mānuka honey!