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Antimicrobial activity of NZ Manuka tea tree oil confirmed
Scientific studies demonstrate New Zealand East Cape Manuka tea tree oil to be highly effective against a range of bacteria and fungi even at very low concentrations
The Cawthron Institute testing showed NZ East Cape Manuka tea tree oil to be active against a wide range of micro-organisms that cause irritation and infection of the skin and body.
Some of these bacterial micro-organisms are serious such as MRSA (more commonly known as the H-bug) while others are more common, such as fungi which cause Athletes foot.
The Cawthron Institute concluded that East Cape Manuka tea tree oil was 20 - 30 times more active than Australian tea tree oil against gram positive bacteria. Further testing has confirmed that East Cape Manuka tea tree oil is effective in combating bacteria including those associated with acne, and combating fungi that cause Tinea (Athletes foot), foot and body odour.
Comparison of effectiveness of NZ East Cape Manuka tea tree oil and Australian tea tree oil against selected bacteria
Please Note: The graphs shown here are expressed in minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) (ie the lowest concentration which will inhibit the growth of a specified organism) therefore the shorter the bars are on the chart, the more effective the product will be in controlling the organism.
PRODUCT NAME: Manuka Oil
INCI NAME: Leptospermum Scoparium Oil
TRADENAMES: Tairawhiti Manuka Oil, Manex Oil
TAIRAWHITI (EAST CAPE) MANUKA OIL has been independently tested against a wide range of organisms and has been found to be active against all of those tested.
The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) (ie the lowest concentration which will inhibit the growth of a specified organism) was determined. A list of some of these follows:
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| Staphyloccocus Aureas 147 |
0.078 |
| Staphyloccocus Aureas MRSA NS |
0.020 |
| Staphyloccocus epidermis |
0.078 |
| Staphyloccocus faecalis |
0.039 |
| Staphyloccocus agalactiae |
0.039 |
| Micrococcus luteus |
0.020 |
| Sarcina lutea |
0.078 |
| Bacillus subtilis |
0.156 |
| Listeria monocytogenes |
0.039 |
Study of effectiveness of East Cape Manuka Oil and Tea Tree Oil against selected Fungi
|
| Aspergillus niger |
> 1.250 |
| Microsporum canis 90-359 |
< 0.039 |
| Trichophyton rubrum 90-364 |
< 0.039 |
| Trichophyton mentagrophytes 90-196 |
0.078 |
Study of effectiveness of East Cape Manuka Oil and Tea Tree Oil against selected Gram Negative Bacteria
Please Note: The graphs shown here are expressed in minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) (ie the lowest concentration which will inhibit the growth of a specified organism) therefore the shorter the bars are on the chart, the more effective the product will be in controlling the organism.
|
| Escherichia coli 29 |
2.500 |
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa 997 |
2.500 |
| Klebsiella pneumoniae |
5.000 |
| Proteus vulgaris 996 |
5.000 |
| Vibrio furnissi 2605 |
0.625 |
| Legionella pneumophila 2008 |
<< 0.039 |
|
| Candida albicans 1212 |
0.625 |
References: Cawthron Report No. 263:
An investigation into the Antimicrobial Properties of Manuka tea tree oil and Kanuka oil, by Dr. A. Cooke and Dr. M.D. Cooke. Prepared for Tairawhiti Pharmaceuticals, Te Araroa, East Cape, New Zealand.
Study of the effectiveness of East Cape Manuka tea tree oil against foot odor bacteria
The following is a summary of research conducted by:
University of Otago, New Zealand
Department of Microbiology
28 November 1997
This study was to test the antibacterial activity of Tairawhiti (East Cape) Manuka tea tree oil against bacteria associated with the production of foot odour.
The Manuka tea tree oil was tested for antibacterial activity against the foot odour associated
bacterial species isolated and used in previous studies, namely Standard reference strain, Oxford Staphylococcus aureus
Micrococcus luteus
Brevibacteria species
Staphylococcus epidermidis
Acinobacter calcoaceticus
A range of concentrations of Manuka tea tree oil were tested from 10% v/v down to 0.01% v/v.
It can be concluded from this study that the East Cape Manuka tea tree oil tested was bactericidal at concentrations below 0.01% for most of the test bacteria; i.e. the standard reference strain Oxford Staphylococcus aureus, Microcuccus luteus, Brevibacteria species and Staphylococcus epidermidis.
Acinobacter calcoaceticus was more resistant, requiring Manuka oil at a concentration above 1% to kill the bacteria.
Study of the effectiveness of East Cape Manuka tea tree oil against Acne Vulgaris bacteria and underarm bacteria
The following is a summary of research conducted by:
University of Otago, New Zealand
Department of Microbiology
3 April 1998
This study was to test the antibacterial activity of Tairawhiti (East Cape) Manuka tea tree oil against bacteria associated with acne vulgaris and with the production of underarm odour.
The bacterial species associated with acne vulgaris are:
Staphylococcus aureus
Staphylococcus epidermidis
Propionibacterium acnes
Peptostreptococcus species
Bacteriodes species
The bacterial species found on human skin and in particular those that can be isolated from the axillae (armpits) and are though responsible for producing body odour include
Corynebacterium spp.
Micrococcus luteus
Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus homini
A range of concentrations of Manuka tea tree oil were tested from 10% v/v down to 0.03% v/v.
0.03% Manuka tea tree oil inhibited bacterial growth to between one quarter and one half of the control, and 0.07% v/v completely inhibited bacterial growth of all the tested species.
It can be concluded from this study that East Cape Manuka tea tree oil displays antibacterial activity against all of the species of bacteria associated with acne Vulgaris and the production of underarm body odor in concentrations as low as 0.03%
The two Otago University reports can be supplied in full on request.
We would like to thank Mr. Mark Kerr of Tairawhiti Pharmaceuticals for making these reports available to us.
Aromatherapy researchers have found this unique Manuka Oil to have antibacterial /antifungal, anti-allergenic, anti-inflammatory properties and to therefore help in the relief of inflammatory skin, mucous membrane and rheumatic ailments. They have found it to be well tolerated by the skin and to be helpful for itchy and irritated skin and scalp. For the pysche it is reported to be beneficial for stress, nervousness and anxiety.
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