Manuka

Maori name: Manuka

Common names: Tea tree, red manuka, white manuka

Botanical name: Leptospermum scopium ericoides

Manuka is a small tree that can found throughout New Zealand as two native varieties, red and white.

The difference can be found in the colour of the wood; red manuka being red and white manuka being white.

White manuka grows higher, has smaller scented leaves and flowers and the seed capsule is slightly sunken .

Generally white manuka was preferred by Maori .

The seed pods were crushed and dried then sprinkled over a seeping or open wound to dry it out and encourage healing .

The leaves could also be combined with the seed capsules and boiled and crushed and the liquid taken by mouth to treat kidney, urinary or rheumatism complaints .

When the leaves and seed pods are boiled in water the resulting infusion is very fragrant and was often inhaled when a patient had a cold or a blocked nose to relieve congestion.