Leptospermum scoparium
New zealand teatree
Leptospermum scoparium, commonly known as Manuka, is a versatile evergreen shrub native to New Zealand. Renowned for its medicinal properties, its bark, leaves, and nectar are used to create potent antimicrobial honey and essential oils. This resilient plant plays a vital role in traditional healing and modern wellness applications.
- Scientific name: Leptospermum scoparium
- Family: Myrtaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Myrtales, it is situated in the family Myrtaceae. Finally, it is identified under the genus Leptospermum.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Myrtales | WCVP |
| Family | Myrtaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Leptospermum | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Leptospermum scoparium, is referred to by various common names depending on the region and language. In German, it is called Südseemyrte, while in Indonesian and Polish, it is widely recognized as Manuka. Its name in Japanese is ギョリュウバイ, and in Czech, it is known as balmín metlatý.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| de | Südseemyrte | Wikidata |
| id | Manuka | Wikidata |
| ja | ギョリュウバイ | Wikidata |
| pl | Manuka | Wikidata |
| cs | balmín metlatý | Wikidata |
| fr | Manuka | Wikidata |
| mi | Mānuka | Wikidata |
| mk | манука | Wikidata |
| nl | Manuka | Wikidata |
| ru | Тонкосемянник мётловидный | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning several continents and island groups. In Northern Europe, its presence can be identified within Great Britain. It is also found across the Macaronesian islands, specifically in the Azores and Madeira. Moving to the Southern Hemisphere, the species is well-established in Australia, particularly in New South Wales. Finally, its range extends further south to include the island state of Tasmania.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Macaronesia | Azores | WCVP |
| Macaronesia | Madeira | WCVP |
| Australia | New South Wales | WCVP |
| Australia | Tasmania | WCVP |
| Australia | Victoria | WCVP |
| New Zealand | Chatham Is. | WCVP |
| New Zealand | New Zealand North | WCVP |
| New Zealand | New Zealand South | WCVP |
| North-Central Pacific | Hawaii | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as manuka, is highly valued for its medicinal properties, which are primarily derived from the essential oil extracted from its leaves and small flowering parts. This oil is rich in bioactive compounds that possess potent antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory characteristics. Because the oil is concentrated within the plant's foliage, it is carefully distilled to create therapeutic products used in aromatherapy and topical treatments.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| oil | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Leptospermum scoparium has 10 reported phytochemicals identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 2-methoxybenzoic acid, 5,7-dimethoxy-6-methylflavone, 5,7-dimethoxyflavone, 5-hydroxy-7-methoxy-6,8-dimethylflavone, 5-hydroxy-7-methoxy-6-methylflavone.
- Total chemicals
- 10
- Scientific sources
- 10
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| 2-methoxybenzoic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 5,7-dimethoxy-6-methylflavone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 5,7-dimethoxyflavone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 5-hydroxy-7-methoxy-6,8-dimethylflavone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 5-hydroxy-7-methoxy-6-methylflavone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavesone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| isoleptospermone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leptospermone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| sesquiterpenes | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| trimethoxybenzoic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Leptospermum scoparium has 4 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Anxiolytic.
- Total activities
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anxiolytic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Leptospermum scoparium has 5 reported medicinal uses identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Scabies, anxiolytic, eggs, inflammation, scabies.
- Total uses
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 5
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Scabies | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anxiolytic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| eggs | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| inflammation | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| scabies | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |