Manuka honey is a monofloral honey derived from the mānuka tree (Leptospermum scoparium). We use manuka honey in some of our products for its beneficial skin-conditioning properties.

Mānuka (Leptospermum scoparium) is an evergreen species of tea tree native to Aotearoa New Zealand and south-eastern Australia. Plant sizes range from shrubs to trees up to 15 meters tall, depending on growing conditions, with small white or pink flowers. Mānuka trees are cultivated for honey, which is produced when honey bees (Apis mellifera) forage on the nectar of mānuka flowers. Manuka honey is admired for its strong flavour and high antibacterial activity.

Highly prized as a food, honey's therapeutic topical potential has been utilised in many traditional medicines for thousands of years. Contemporary medicine includes use of medical-grade honey in dressings for wounds and burns, and for treating some skin conditions. Honey is known to have antioxidant and antibacterial activity, though the biological effects and composition of honey vary depending on floral source, season and other environmental factors. It's used in some personal care products to deeply cleanse and condition skin cells.

Other names: Mel, Mānuka (Lepstospermum scoparium) Honey

Chemical class: Carbohydrates

Main constituents: (Sugars) D-Fructose, D-Glucose

Notable compounds: (Manuka Honey) Methyl Syringate, Leptosin

REFERENCES

Nolan, V. C., Harrison, J., & Cox, J. (2019). Dissecting the Antimicrobial Composition of Honey. Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland), 8(4), 251. https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics8040251

Alvarez-Suarez, J. M., Gasparrini, M., Forbes-Hernández, T. Y., Mazzoni, L., & Giampieri, F. (2014). The Composition and Biological Activity of Honey: A Focus on Manuka Honey. Foods (Basel, Switzerland), 3(3), 420–432. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods3030420

Burlando, B., & Cornara, L. (2013). Honey in dermatology and skin care: a review. Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 12(4), 306–313. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.12058

Ngā Tipu Whakaoranga database. Leptospermum scoparium. Mānuka. Kahikatoa. Record number 1115. Retrieved on October 29, 2021 from http://maoriplantuse.landcareresearch.co.nz

Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2021-10-28. temperate.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Leptospermum+scoparium