Native to Australia and New Zealand, manuka essential oil is a natural wonder — fantastic for skin care, body odor, insect bites, and more! The uses for manuka essential oil stretch wide and far.
So, how can you reap manuka essential oil uses and benefits on your own? Well, we have some great DIY uses for manuka essential oil that will help you use this oil to its full potential. Check them out and get blending!
Benefits of Manuka Essential Oil
- Anti-inflammatory[1]
- Anti-fungal[2]
- Antibacterial[3]
- Antioxidant[4]
- Antimicrobial[5]
- Skin Cooling[6]
- Deodorizing[7]
Treat Insect Bites
Many uses for manuka essential oil are made possible by its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial benefits. In the case of insect bites, these two benefits plus the skin-cooling effect of the oil come together to reduce the size and irritation of bites, whether they are itchy or painful.
How to DIY at home:
Insect Bite Oil Spot Treatment
Ingredients
- 7 drops of manuka essential oil
- 2 drop peppermint essential oil
- 30ml drops of carrier oil (ex: coconut oil or hemp oil)
Instructions
- Simply combine the ingredients in a glass bottle and mix together by shaking.
- To use, dab onto your bite and let dry.
Reduce Fungal Infections
The antifungal aspect of manuka kills bacteria and helps stop it from spreading further. So, you can quickly fix that frustrating Athlete’s foot fungus or Candida fungal infection.
How to DIY at home:
Anti-fungal cream
Ingredients
- 30ml of unscented body cream (shea butter or unscented store-bought lotion)
- 5 drops of manuka essential oil
- 3 drops of lemon essential oil
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix together the ingredients well.
- To use, rub a thin layer onto the affected area and let dry.
- Store in a glass jar with an airtight top.
Treat Face and Body Acne
Manuka essential oil benefits acne-prone skin by killing the harmful microbes and bacteria that may infect your pores, and by helping to reduce any current acne blemishes you may already have. Manuka essential oil acne wash is a great way to gently refresh and clean your skin all over as you bathe.
How to DIY at home:
Anti-Acne Body Wash
Ingredients
- 40ml of castile soap
- 20 ml of green tea water
- 10 drops of manuka essential oil
- 5 drops of lavender essential oil
- 3 drops of orange essential oil
Instructions
- To start, add all the ingredients together in a bowl.
- Next, mix together well with a spoon.
- Then, pour into a bottle for easy use in the shower.
- To use, squirt a dime-sized amount onto a washcloth or loofah, then massage until soapy. Gently rub onto your body to clean and cleanse.
Soothe Irritated Skin
Skin suffering from an allergic reaction can be very sensitive. Luckily, most manuka oil uses are safe for sensitive skin. In fact, some of the uses for manuka essential oil involve easing allergic reactions and calming inflamed skin. This is because of the potential antihistamine properties of the oil that may reduce your body’s production of histamine. Although, more research and scientific-based evidence is needed to support the antihistamine abilities of the oil. However, the anti-inflammatory agents also help reduce your skin’s reaction.[8]
How to DIY at home:
Allergy Skin Lotion
Ingredients
- 30ml of natural lotion or cocoa butter
- 6 drops of manuka essential oil
- 2 drops of lavender essential oil
Instructions
- Add the ingredients into a bottle and shake well to combine.
- To use, apply a small amount to the palms of your hands and rub together. Then, gently rub (or touch and hold) onto the reactionary area
Reduce Signs of Aging
So, what is manuka essential oil good for other than easing reactions and treating infections? This oil is also known for its antioxidant qualities[9] which can help your skin regenerate healthy cells and reduce the signs of aging, like wrinkles and dark spots.
How to DIY at home:
Overnight Anti-Aging Face Serum
Ingredients
- 10ml of snail slime
- 20 ml of carrier oil, like coconut or rosehip oil
- 6 drops of manuka essential oil
- 2 drops of lemon essential oil
Instructions
- Mix the ingredients together in a bowl.
- Add into a glass jar for storage.
- To use, dab your finger into the jar and then dot around your face and neck for even distribution.
- Then, gently rub the serum into your skin until combined. Leave on overnight.
Kill Bacteria in Your Home
Because of the strong antibacterial components of manuka oil, it’s a beneficial ingredient in all-natural home cleaning supplies. Also, the antimicrobial and deodorizing uses for manuka essential oil make it a great oil to use around your kitchen or bathroom.
How to DIY at home:
All-Natural Counter Spray
Ingredients
- 30ml of white vinegar
- 30ml of water
- 10 drops of manuka essential oil
- 5 drops of lemon essential oil
- 5 drops of orange essential oil
Instructions
- Add all ingredients into a spray bottle and shake well. Shake again before each use.
- For cleaning, spray directly onto dry surfaces and wipe clean with a towel.
Deodorize Smelly Areas
The powerful antibacterial properties of manuka oil help make it deodorizing. Basically, this oil can eliminate odors at the source by eliminating bacteria, ultimately creating a cleaner and better-smelling area. Try this oil around your home as a room spray you can use on old sofa pillows, musty shoe racks, and more!
How to DIY at home:
Deodorizing room spray
Ingredients
- 40ml of water
- 6 drops of manuka essential oil
- 4 drops of cedarwood essential oil
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients into a spray bottle and shake well.
- When needed, spray the mixture into the air on and around the smelly object or area. Then, enjoy the cleaner-feeling energy and breathe deeply.
After Sun Lotion
Another one of the great potential uses for manuka essential oil is its ability to reduce sun damage. Using this oil on your skin after a long day outside may help repair the harmful UV ray damage done, as demonstrated in one trial using mice.[10] Plus, it can help reduce inflammation from any mild sunburns.
How to DIY at home:
After Sun Lotion
Ingredients
- 10ml of aloe vera
- 20ml of shea butter
- 6 drops of manuka essential oil
- 2 drops of lavender essential oil
- 2 drops of frankincense essential oil
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients into a bowl and mix together with a spoon.
- Store in a glass jar with a lid.
- Apply by rubbing a thin layer onto your skin most hit by the sun — typically your face, neck, hands, and shoulders.
Meditation Oil
The uses for manuka essential oil go deeper than just its physical applications. You can use manuka oil during meditation or for aromatherapy as it’s known to have a mild grounding effect. It’s light in aroma so combining it with other wood-based oils, like cedarwood or frankincense, is a great way to feel closer to the Earth.
How to DIY at home:
Meditation Oil
Ingredients
- 2 drops of manuka essential oil
- 2 drops of frankincense essential oil
- 2 drops of orange blossom essential oil
- 30 ml of carrier oil
Instructions
- Create this uplifting blend by combining the ingredients in a glass bottle and shaking well. Your carrier oil can be an unscented oil like hemp or jojoba.
- Use by adding a few drops of the blend onto your hands and rubbing together. Then, cup around your nose and inhale deeply as you meditate.
References
- [1] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1684118213002466
- [2] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1684118213002466
- [3] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1684118213002466
- [4] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/c4bb/bb4945858e6aa25b77e4cfefc7ecf33b629d.pdf
- [5] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0962456298800799
- [6] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1684118213002466
- [7] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1684118213002466
- [8] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1684118213002466
- [9] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/c4bb/bb4945858e6aa25b77e4cfefc7ecf33b629d.pdf
- [10] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3677636/
