Though it is used in a wide range of cosmetics, cosmeceuticals and naturopathic and topical medications, manuka oil is a relatively new development; it was first identified during the 1970s[1] and has been produced commercially since the 1980s and investigated by global research teams since then.
Manuka oil from the East Cape region of New Zealand, described as a high triketone chemotype, is commercially important because of its antimicrobial properties (the ability to kill bacteria, viruses, yeasts and fungi).
[2][3] Manuka that grows in the Marlborough Sounds region of New Zealand also has relative high levels of triketones, between 15 and 20%.
These oils are rich in terpene compounds, particularly sesquiterpenes, such as myrcene, humulene, caryophyllene, α-pinene, linalool, α-copaene, elemene, selinene, calamenene, cubebene and cadinene amongst others.
Harvesters used brush cutters to gather fresh branches, leaving the bushes viable for regrowth available for future years.