Do you know the benefits of Manuka essential oil? Are you wondering what it is, or how to use it? Maybe you’ve heard about the amazing health benefits of Manuka oil, but don’t know where to get it or what exactly it is. This article contains some of the most common questions and answers pertaining to Manuka essential oil.
Let’s get started;
Manuka Essential Oil Overview
Manuka essential oil is a type of oil that comes from the manuka tree. The manuka tree is native to Australia and New Zealand, but it can also be found in Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and India.
Manuka oil is extracted from the leaves of the manuka tree by steam distillation. It has been used for centuries for its medicinal properties, which include treating skin conditions like acne and eczema, soothing muscle aches and pains, relieving congestion, and boosting immune function. Manuka essential oil is also a good choice for aromatherapy because it has a pleasant scent that makes you feel relaxed and calm when you inhale it.
Manuka essential oil blends well with other essential oils including cinnamon, clove, and eucalyptus. It’s often added to lotions, creams, and bath products because it helps moisturize your skin while providing additional benefits such as relief from pain or inflammation.
How is Manuka oil made?
It depends on what type of manuka oil you want to make. There are three basic types:
Manuka leaf oil – This type of manukahoney is made from fresh or dried leaves extracted with steam distillation or cold pressing. The resulting oil may be used as a fragrance ingredient or as an essential oil for aromatherapy purposes. It can also be used as a food additive for flavoring purposes.
Manuka leaf extract – This type of manukahoney may be made using any one of several different extraction methods including solvent extraction, supercritical extraction, or CO2 extraction if necessary because some types of manuka honey do not contain sufficient levels of methylglyoxyl (MG) to qualify as an effective antibacterial agent.
What makes this essential oil so special?
Well, the first thing you’ll notice when using it is that it has a very strong scent – similar to eucalyptus but with a hint of minty sweetness. This powerful aroma comes from high levels of methylglyoxal (MGO), which can be found in many other plants like tea tree and ginseng root. These high levels of MGO make Manuka essential oil one of the most potent antioxidants known to man!
Manuka essential oil smell
Manuka essential oil has a sweet, woody aroma that’s quite distinct from the typical eucalyptus scent. It’s what gives Manuka honey its distinctive flavor and aroma, so if you’ve ever tasted or smelled it before, you know what to expect.
It’s also what makes this essential oil so popular in products like soaps and detergents. It blends well with other essential oils, especially lavender, rosemary, and clary sage, but also with citrus oils like lemon and bergamot.
Is Manuka essential oil the same as manuka honey?
The answer is no. Manuka essential oil is not the same as Manuka honey.
Manuka essential oil is extracted from the leaves of the plant, while manuka honey is a food product that contains pollen, nectar, and propolis (a mixture of waxes produced by bees) from the flowers of the manuka tree.
Both products have antibacterial properties but only one contains methylglyoxal (MGO) and this is what makes it so special for healing wounds and infections.
Also, read: Best Essential Oil for Cocoa Butter
Manuka Essential Oil Benefits
Is Manuka essential oil good for the skin?
Manuka essential oil is a great skincare ingredient. It’s rich in antioxidants and can help to fight free radicals, which cause oxidative damage and premature aging of the skin.
Manuka essential oil can be used as a moisturizer on its own, but it’s also a great addition to other products. Add a few drops to your favorite face mask or use it with other essential oils in your homemade lotion recipe.
Is Manuka oil good for lips?
Manuka oil is a very effective moisturizer and has many healing properties. It’s a great choice for your lips because it’s packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help improve the appearance of your skin.
How do you use Manuka oil on your scalp and hair?
Manuka oil contains a high concentration of monoterpenes which help to lock in moisture and prevent dryness and flaking. The antibacterial properties of manuka oil are believed to help with dandruff and scalp issues such as psoriasis, eczema, and seborrheic dermatitis.
The best way to use manuka oil on your scalp is by massaging it directly into the scalp from root to tip after shampooing or conditioning your hair. You can add a few drops of manuka oil into your favorite conditioner or mix it with other essential oils like lavender or rosemary for added benefits.
Does Manuka oil kill toenail fungus?
A study conducted at the University of Otago in New Zealand has shown that Manuka oil is effective in killing toenail fungus. The study included 23 patients who were given Manuka oil to apply on their nails twice a day for 12 weeks.
The results showed that 15 out of 23 participants were completely cured after using Manuka oil as an antifungal treatment. The rest had milder cases of fungal infection and required only one more month to get rid of the fungus.
The researchers concluded that Manuka oil is effective in killing toenail fungus due to its anti-inflammatory properties and its ability to inhibit the growth of organisms such as Candida albicans, which causes the disease.
Is Manuka oil good for piercings?
Manuka oil can be effective at healing piercings and preventing infection. However, it’s important that you use it correctly — otherwise, you could end up making your piercing worse.
How to Use Manuka Oil on a Piercing?
There are several ways you can use Manuka oil to help heal your piercing:
Apply it topically (directly on your skin) before you go to bed every night. You should do this until your piercing has healed completely — usually after about two weeks. This will help reduce inflammation and promote healing by killing off any bacteria in your skin that could cause infection.
What goes well with Manuka essential oil?
Manuka essential oil is a rich, woody scent with a slightly sweet and warm aroma. It’s often used in soaps and perfumes, but it can also be added to other carrier oils and used as a massage oil.
Manuka essential oil blends well with many other scents and can be used to create custom blends. Here are some suggestions for how to use Manuka essential oil:
Bergamot – Bergamot essential oil has a citrusy scent that is similar to lemon or grapefruit. It’s great for freshening up the air, whether you’re using it in an aromatherapy diffuser or adding it to your cleaning products or homemade cleaners.
Geranium – Geranium essential oil has a strong, earthy aroma that’s perfect for masculine scents like cologne or aftershave lotion. It blends well with other floral scents like lavender and rosemary as well as citrus oils like bergamot and lime.
Lime – Lime essential oil has a fresh, citrusy aroma that’s perfect for adding to cleaners or homemade deodorizers like vinegar spray or baking soda spray (see our article on natural cleaning solutions).
Does Manuka oil need to be diluted?
The answer is no, it doesn’t need to be diluted.
Manuka oil can be applied directly to the skin, but we recommend that you dilute it with a carrier oil. A carrier oil is an oil that has a lighter texture than Manuka oil and acts as a base for the essential oil. This makes it easier to apply and helps prevent irritation or sensitization.
We recommend using jojoba, sweet almond, or apricot kernel oils as carriers for Manuka essential oil.
Does Manuka oil expire?
Manuka oil doesn’t expire, but it can lose its potency over time. The shelf life of Manuka oil is about 2 years if it’s stored at room temperature, but if it’s kept at a cooler temperature, it can last for up to 6 years.
The best way to store Manuka oil is in a cool place away from direct sunlight. The more you expose it to heat, the faster it will degrade. It’s important to note that most Manuka oils aren’t labeled with an expiration date because there isn’t an accepted standard for how long they last.
Also, read: Best Essential Oil Blends with Ylang Ylang
Can you diffuse manuka oil?
Yes, you can diffuse manuka oil. However, it is not recommended to use it with a diffuser that uses heat as that will destroy the therapeutic properties of the oil. Instead, use a cool-mist humidifier or an ultrasonic diffuser.
