Leptospermum scoparium
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 Leptospermum scoparium foliage and flowers
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| Leptospermum scoparium J.R.Forst. & G.Forst. |
Leptospermum scoparium (Manuka or Tea tree or just Leptospermum) is a shrub or small tree native to New Zealand and southeast Australia. It is found throughout New Zealand but is particularly common on the drier east coasts of the North Island and the South Island, and in Australia in Tasmania, Victoria and New South Wales. Manuka (from Māori 'mānuka') is the name used in New Zealand, and 'tea tree' is a common name in Australia and to a lesser extent also in New Zealand. This name arose because Captain Cook used the leaves to make a 'tea' drink.[1] The common name "Tea Tree" is also shared with the related Melaleuca tree of Australia suggesting that both were used to make tea by Captain Cook.
It is a prolific scrub-type tree and is often one of the first species to regenerate on cleared land. It is typically a shrub growing to 2-5 m tall, but can grow into a moderately sized tree, up to 15 m or so in height. It is evergreen, with dense branching and small leaves 7-20 mm long and 2-6 mm broad, with a short spine tip. The flowers are white, occasionally pink, 8-15 mm (rarely up to 25 mm) diameter, with five petals. This species is often confused with the closely related species Kānuka - the easiest way to tell the difference between the two species in the field is to feel their foliage - Manuka leaves are prickly while Kanuka leaves are soft.[2] The wood is tough and hard, and was often used for tool handles. Manuka sawdust imparts a delicious flavour when used for smoking meats and fish.
[edit] Medical and health benefits
Manuka products have high antibacterial potency and are widely available in New Zealand. Similar properties led the Māori to use parts of the plant as natural medicine.
Kakariki parakeets (Cyanoramphus) use the leaves and bark of Manuka and Kanuka to rid themselves of parasites. Apart from ingesting the material, they also chew it, mix it with preen gland oil and apply it to their feathers.[3]
Manuka honey, produced when honeybees gather the nectar from its flowers, is distinctively flavoured, darker and richer in taste than clover honey and has strong antibacterial and antifungal properties. The finest quality Manuka honey with the most potent antimicrobial properties is produced from hives placed in wild, uncultivated areas with abundant growth of Manuka bushes.
The University of Waikato in Hamilton, New Zealand has formed the Waikato Honey Research Unit to study the composition of honey and its antimicrobial activity. The Active Manuka Honey Association (AMHA) is the industry association that promotes and standardizes the production of Manuka honey for medical uses. They have created the Unique Manuka Factor (UMF) standard which grades honey based on its anti-bacterial strength. A honey may only use UMF in its label if it has a UMF of 10 or more.
Manuka honey is also used for the healing of small wounds and in skin care products.
[edit] References
- ^ J. T. Salmon, The Native Trees of New Zealand, Reed, 1973. ISBN 0-589-01340-8
- ^ J. Dawson, R. Lucas, Nature guide to the New Zealand forest. Godwit, 2000
- ^ T. Greene, Antiparasitic behaviour in New Zealand parakeets (Cyanoramphus species). Notornis 36 (4) (1989): 322–323. PDF
[edit] External links
- Identification and quantification of methylglyoxal as the dominant antibacterial constituent of Manuka (Leptospermum scoparium) honeys from New Zealand University Dresden, Germany 2008-01-21
- Antibacterial ingredient found in honey TVNZ One News 2008-01-24
- Manuka Health Limited (New Zealand) Press Release 2008-01-22
- Dream fulfilled: Professor Peter Molan's research into the medicinal applications of Manuka honey University of Waikato 2005-05-01
- Harnessing honey's healing power BBC News 2004-06-08
- Honey trialled on cancer patients BBC News 2006-07-07
- Honey to heal Biotechnology Learning Hub New Zealand
- Manuka honey for wounds (V0314) video Biotechnology Learning Hub New Zealand
- Honey: does it heal? Swedish Medical Center
- First honey based wound dressing available in NZ
- Nurse Central, Australia Comvita Limited (New Zealand) Press Release 2005-03-21
