New Zealand Tea Tree
Honey from the Manuka!
The New Zealand Tea Tree (Leptospermum Scoparium) is part of the Leptospermum family. It’s found throughout the New Zealand scenery and is common to the drier east coast of the North Island.
The Aotearoa Tea Tree also does well on the South Island. It’s family grows in various forms of tree and shrub in Australia (Victoria and New South Wales) and Tasmania.
Tea Tree or Manuka as it’s called in Maori has long been valued by the Maori people for its healing properties.As a medicinal plant, the New Zealand facts on this amazing tree are known the world over. From stewing the leaves for tea, to treating insect bites and skin infections, the Manuka is renowned.
The tea part of the Tea Tree name probably came about when Captain Cook came ashore thirsty and tired from a lot of sailing. Do you know the first thing he did was ask about tea and boil up a brew from the tea tree leaves?!
In New Zealand, the tree is probably better known as the Manuka tree. This may be familiar for some of you, as the name appears on pots of honey. So, not only does the New Zealand scenery host a tree with a plethora of medicinal gifts but it also gives us one of the finest honeys in the world.
So whilst the Manuka tree is also used to treat athletes foot, head lice, pimples and dandruff it makes the distinctive dark and rich Manuka honey. So forget the pimples spread some honey on your toast! Don’t you just love those nectar gathering honeybees!
And of course Manuka honey is most famous for its strong antibacterial and antifungal properties. Manuka honey with the most potent of these properties is produced from beehives placed in uncultivated areas of bush, with abundant Manuka bushes and trees.
Now, if all this excites you and you like the New Zealand scenery thing then as well as wandering in the wilds why not check out Otari-Wilton's Bush. It’s one of New Zealand's important native botanic gardens and Wellington's largest area of original native forest.
Your travels to New Zealand will embrace and discover many wonders such as the Manuka tree.So remember at the end of your day, with joints and feet aching, reach for the New Zealand Tea Tree oil, grab a cuppa and enjoy a slice of toast with Manuka honey!
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