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can be determined with great accuracy.
Chemical variations can be influenced by the
weather, the day’s temperature, soil moisture,
age of plant, species variations, seasons, and
the region.
The primary bio-active ingredients for the
more popular manuka (of approximately 120
compounds) are referred to as triketones
(three oils: leptospermone, isoleptospermone,
and flavesone). The region which grows
manuka with most potent levels of this
triketone “chemotype” is around East Cape.
Kanuka, although not as directly bio-active,
imparts an important synergistic quality. It
has few of the heavy ‘tri’ oils, but contains
high levels of the ‘mono’ oil, the lighter
monokones. Its light nature allows it to be
more easily absorbed. Some producers
(such as Earnhillfarm of Kuaotunu) favour
the use of just one ‘pure’ oil. Others, like NZ
Coromandel Mountains Tea Tree Oil, prefer
to use a synergistic blend of the two. (See
following pages.)
MANUKA STUDIES CONTINUE
Manuka plantation studies are underway – for
both oil and honey uses – and researchers
acknowledge this “variability in essential
oil chemistry.” Not just species or region-
to-region differences, but variations in one
manuka variety within a single growing plot.
This illustrates just how complex it is to find
the perfect tree – that powerful ‘elite line’
and best ‘regional ecocrop’ – for commercial
scale honey production or oil extraction.
Studies will continue for years perhaps, but
are promising enough for a government
report! The government estimates that
exports of manuka honey alone will top
$1 billion per year by 2025, with additional
value coming from the managed-forest sale
of branches for oil extraction. Even ‘carbon
credits’ and farm subsidies are part of the
profit picture! For this reason, paddocks are
now actually being planted with manuka for
honey production.
(See brief of strategy here:
Studies like this were previously carried
out by the Aussies to isolate tea tree plant
varieties with high levels of terminen-4-ol (the
oil’s primary active ingredient). They had a
history of plantation oil production going back
to the 1920s, and the 1960s saw an upswing
in essential oil use paralleling the public’s
growing interest in natural healing.
In 1982, the late Peter Molan of the University
of Waikato discovered the “exceptional type
of antibacterial activity bioactivity of our
manuka honey”, and interest in these oils and
honey has grown ever since. You may now
start to see kanuka honey for sale as well.
The plantation level production guide (noted
above) recommends periodic herbicide
spraying to keep down weeds. But smaller
private New Zealand oil producers can boast
‘organic’, ‘wild grown’ and ‘hand harvested’
to appeal to the discerning health-conscious
consumer. They often own the land their trees
Manuka and Kanuka
are on, so can guarantee that
the branches, blossoms, and
land have not been sprayed.
Some producers also have
their distilled oils lab tested
for active ingredient content.
(Manuka honey has several
rating systems to indicate its
medicinal strength.)
USES OF ESSENTIAL OILS:
MEDICINAL AND AROMATHERAPY
These essential oils fall into two use
classifications: for aromatherapy and to
directly treat conditions such as bacterial/
fungal infections, acne, cuts, boils,
inflammation, and sinusitis (the oils are
breathed in by steam).
It is suggested that for skin application, these
strong essential oils be diluted with a carrier
oil (add a few drops to the oil you plan to use)
as the essential oils may be too drying and
irritating used ‘neat’ or straight.
Some oils may be toxic when used internally,
but dilute forms for mouthwashes or herbal tea
blends should be safe.
Aromatherapy is based on the effect of
oil vapors on smell and emotion. Manuka
and lavender are relaxing, while others
like rosemary or peppermint are mentally
stimulating. The oils might be gently heated,
perhaps in a candle or heating element; drops
might be added to room sprays, mixed with
soaps, and added to lotions or massage oils.
And, of course, perfumes. – Carol Wright
This woodcut from the mid-16th century depicts the process of distilling
essential oils from plants with a conical condenser.
Via the Wellcome Library, London
Illustration from the 1557 German Renaissance
Adam Lonicer’s “Kreuterbuch” (literally “herb book”)
See
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Read about many other oil extraction methods here:
The basics of steam distilling oils have not changed much over the
centuries. Plant materials are placed in a container and hot steam
rises through the bundle dissolving the oils. The steam is cooled and
condensed by water in the barrel (as shown above). The oily liquid is
then collected, and the floating oil siphoned off.
DISTILLING...
THE MORE IT STAYS THE SAME
As far back as 3000BC, the Egyptians used aromatic plants for medicinal and
cosmetic purposes, as well as for the embalming of the deceased.
In 900AD, Avicenna, famous child prodigy and physician from Persia, wrote
many documents describing 800 plants and their effects on the body. Although
sometimes credited with the development of the distillation process for
essential oils, it is more probable that he greatly refined it, for archaeologists
have found primitive distillers that date from before his lifetime.
Today distillation is still the most common process of extracting essential oils
from plants. The advantage of distillation is that the volatile components can
be distilled at temperatures lower than the boiling points of their individual
constituents and are easily separated from the condensed water.
Of course, more valuable than leaf or herb sourced oils are those from flower
petals and blossoms for use in perfumes. These more fragile materials demand
gentler or non-heated extraction processes.