About Mānuka Honey Oil
Mānuka Oil
100% East Cape Mānuka oil. Steam-distilled, independently tested, and verified for β-triketone content.
What is Mānuka oil?
Mānuka essential oil is extracted from the leaves and branches of the Mānuka bush (Leptospermum scoparium), the same plant that produces Mānuka honey. But the oil and the honey are entirely different substances with different properties and uses.
The key compounds in Mānuka oil are β-triketones (beta-triketones), including flavesone, leptospermone, and isoleptospermone. These naturally occurring organic compounds are what give Mānuka oil its distinctive characteristics. For an oil to be legitimately called Mānuka oil, it must contain detectable β-triketone levels.
The East Cape region of New Zealand produces Mānuka oil with the highest β-triketone concentrations in the country. Onuku’s Mānuka oil is sourced from this region and tested via GCFID (gas chromatography-flame ionisation detection) to verify authenticity and potency.
How Mānuka oil is made
Onuku Mānuka oil is extracted using steam distillation. This method uses pressurised steam to release the essential oils from the Mānuka plant material without the use of chemical solvents.
Steam distillation is the standard extraction method for high-quality essential oils because it preserves the oil’s natural chemical profile. After extraction, every batch is tested to confirm the β-triketone reading. The test results are recorded on the NFC authentication tag on each bottle, so you can verify what’s inside.
How to use Manuka oil
Aromatherapy and diffusing: Add a few drops to a room diffuser. Mānuka oil has a distinctive earthy, herbaceous scent.
Skincare: Dilute with a carrier oil (such as coconut, jojoba, or sweet almond oil) before applying to skin. Mānuka oil is potent and should not be applied undiluted. A common ratio is 2-3 drops of Mānuka oil per teaspoon of carrier oil.
Household cleaning: Add to natural cleaning solutions for an alternative to synthetic products.
Muscle relaxation: Add a few drops to warm bath water for a soak after physical activity.
Note: Mānuka oil is for external use only. If you have sensitive skin, do a patch test before broader application. Consult a healthcare professional if you have specific concerns.