Can You Eat Manuka Oil?

Made from the Leptospermum scoparium plant native to New Zealand, manuka oil is a woody balsamic essential oil steam-distilled from the leaves of the plant. The active compounds in the oil make it useful for a variety of different medicinal purposes, including antihistaminic, antibacterial and deodorant treatments. While certain forms of manuka may be ingested, taking manuka oil internally is not recommended.

History of Manuka Use

• Various parts of the manuka plant have been recorded as being used in beverages and medicines in New Zealand: the seeds, leaves, bark and sap have all been put to use by the native Maori people for muscle and joint pain and urinary problems. Explorer James Cook used the leaves of the manuka as a tea to prevent scurvy and settlers of New Zealand also followed suit. However, oils extracted from the manuka are mainly designed for topical treatment of skin infections, sunburn, insect bites, etc. Manuka essential oil should not be taken internally unless under the guidance of a licensed aromatherapy practitioner, says Aroma Web.

Manuka Oil Safety Is Not Established

• There is limited toxicological information on manuka oil, according to Drugs.com. Although manuka oil is used to treat skin irritations, manuka oil may cause mild irritation in some people if applied undiluted. If this occurs, stop use at once and consult a medical professional before reapplying. Manuka oil has not been as extensively studied as a similar product, the more widely available Australian tea tree oil, which has been shown to cause allergic reactions in eucalyptus-sensitive people and is toxic if ingested. Nonetheless, Manuka Oil.com warns of acute toxicity if stated dosages of manuka oil are surpassed.

Typical Uses of Manuka Oil

• Laboratory tests have shown manuka oil to be antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory against 39 distinct kinds of microorganisms. Medicinally, manuka oil may be used externally to assist with a host of skin conditions such as abscesses, blisters, carbuncles, dandruff, eczema, acne and varicose ulcers. Manuka oil can also be used in aromatherapy to induce feelings of well-being in those with sensitive nervous systems, says renowned aromatherapist Ruth von Braunschweig.

Other Manuka Products May Be Eaten

• While it is not advised to take manuka oil undiluted or in the forms intended for topical application, other products made from the manuka plant may be eaten, and possess some of the benefits of the oil. Honey made from the flower of the manuka may be ingested and is said to contain the "Unique Manuka Factor," or the ability to kill Helicobacter pylori, and is documented by the Linus Pauling Institute as being effective against E.coli and Staphylococcus aureus. H. pylori is implicated in stomach ulcers and gastric cancer, and one study noted above found that a 5 percent solution of manuka honey stopped their growth.