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Leptospermum scoparium (MÄnuka) is a shrub or small tree native to New Zealand. It is particularly common on the drier east coasts of the North and South Islands of New Zealand. MÄnuka honey, produced when honeybees gather the nectar from its flowers, is distinctively flavoured, darker and richer in taste than clover honey and is well known for its strong antibacterial and antifungal properties. MÄnuka is a prolific scrub-type tree and is often one of the first species to regenerate on cleared land. It is typically a shrub growing to 2-5 m tall, but can grow into a moderately sized tree, up to 15 m or so in height. It is evergreen, with dense branching and small leaves 7-20 mm long and 2-6 mm broad, with a short spine tip. The flowers are white, occasionally pink, 8-15 mm (rarely up to 25 mm) diameter, with five petals. MÄnuka products have high antibacterial potency against many different species of bacteria and are widely used as applications to skin conditions and cuts and grazes. ‘Active’ (high UMF or high MGO) MÄnuka honey is also incorporated into pharmaceutical dressings and wound care products, for its powerful healing properties, All parts of the plant were also traditionally used by MÄori as natural medicines. The finest quality MÄnuka honey with the most potent antimicrobial properties is produced from hives placed in wild, uncultivated areas with abundant growth of MÄnuka bushes.
