Manuka Oil for Psoriasis

In general, regular tea tree oil can be found more frequently in today’s market. It is pressed out of the leaves of the tea tree bush that grows in Australia. However, some people are allergic to regular tea tree oil.

Manuka Oil is an essential oil won from the Manuka tree (leptospermum scoparium) that grows in New Zealand. The indigenous people of New Zealand, the Maori, have known for a long time of the health benefits of the Manuka tree. That is how the European settlers learnt about the mysterious Manuka tree. Captain Cook himself named the Manuka tree “Tea Tree” because the native Maori made a tea out of the leaves that resembled green tea in taste and bitterness.

Manuka Oil from New Zealand is a certain type of tea tree oil that causes no allergies. People who are allergic to regular tea tree oil from Australia, or who have found that a skin problem got worse after applying regular tea tree oil, have switched to Manuka Oil, and found that it is very soothing. Manuka Oil does NOT further irritate an already irritated skin condition.

Essential Manuka Oil (tea tree oil) from New Zealand has powerful antibacterial, antiseptic, antifungal and antiviral properties. It also acts anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anti-parasitic.

This natural oil in soothing almond oil base is applied to many skin care problems such as acne, pimples and zits. Manuka Oil penetrates into the deeper layers of the skin where it disinfects and fights the bacteria related to acne and pimples. For this reason Manuka Oil can reach areas that other skin care products cannot reach. That makes Manuka Oil so valuable. Manuka Oil has the ability to strengthen the skin, making it more resistant to environmental influences. This extraordinary oil helps relaxing the nerves of the skin and thereby supports the process of skin regeneration and new formation of cells. A relaxed skin does not overreact to outer influences that fast.

In order for Manuka Oil to be even more effective it is highly recommended to clean the affected area with antibacterial Manuka Propolis Soap or Manuka Royal Jelly Soap before you apply the oil. This strong combination can be an alternative, very effective solution for your skin care problems, no matter on what part of your body! Generally, Royal Jelly Soap is used for minor skin problems and can be described as skin care soap, whereas Propolis Soap is used for skin problems of all different kinds.

A study conducted by the Cawthron Institute proofed that Manuka Oil can help to cure skin infections and irritations as it actively fights a wide range of bacteria. That also includes the bacteria associated with acne. The result of the study is impressive: Manuka Oil from New Zealand is 30 times more effective than regular tea tree oil from Australia.

What is Royal Jelly?

Royal Jelly is a unique substance from the honey bee. It is the highly concentrated food given to the beehives most important resident, the Queen Bee. Royal Jelly is well known for its nourishing and rejuvenating properties, richly concentrated with many vitamins, minerals, amino acids, pantothenic acid and collagen. Therefore it provides nourishment and conditioning for the skin.

Since biblical times, Royal Jelly has been known to contain unique health and beauty qualities beneficial to the human system. Royal Jelly furnishes nutrients thought to improve the health of skin cells, giving skin a soft, improved texture.

What is Manuka Honey?

Manuka Honey is pure, raw, natural, organic honey collected from the flower of the tea tree bush (leptospermum scoparium) of New Zealand. Manuka Honey has been researched for over 20 years because of its amazing antibacterial qualities. Honey in general is soothing for the skin and provides it with important nutrients.

What is Propolis?

Propolis is a natural substance, which is collected by honey bees and is well known for antibacterial properties. It provides protection in the beehive, where it disinfects and sterilizes, promoting a disease free environment. The selective quality of propolis enables it to distinguish pathogenic bacteria from the friendly variety, which are left in place for the skin's natural defense system.

What is Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a genetic chronic disorder (often called immune-mediated) of the skin and scalp that affects approximately 5 million people in the US. Psoriasis is basically an inflammation of the skin. The skin is scaling with white, silvery flakes covering red inflamed spots that can appear all over the body. The parts most affected are usually the elbows, knees, scalp, lower back and heels. The flakes are excess skin tissue that are being produced too fast by the body and now “pile up”. The skin starts itching and burning. Psoriasis may even restrict motion in people as it also affects the joints. In fact almost 30% of all people suffering from psoriasis develop a certain form of arthritis, called psoriatic arthritis.

Psoriasis mainly affects adults and is not contagious.

What causes Psoriasis?

It is not known what causes psoriasis, but there are various theories. Some factors might indeed contribute to or trigger the development of psoriasis.

The most common theory is that the immune system is not working right. Similar to auto immune diseases, psoriasis is a disorder that causes the body to fight itself. In the case of psoriasis the body fights its own tissue, sometimes even joints. The white blood cells (T cells) in the body produce overdoses of chemicals that are actually thought to help our body heal faster. Overdoses of these chemicals cause inflammation of the skin.

Psoriasis might have genetic causes and can therefore probably be inherited. People affected by psoriasis have usually a specific genetic factor that sabotages the immune system. However, only a smaller percentage of people with this special gene actually suffer from psoriasis. In those cases the psoriasis is however also caused by one or more of the triggers mentioned here.

Another factor influencing the flare ups of psoriasis are weather conditions. Cold and dry weather usually worsens the symptoms, whereas sunny, warm and damp weather conditions improve them.

Many psoriasis patients also report frequent flare ups in times of (emotional) stress or when they experience a mild trauma of their skin. Therefore areas like the elbows are affected more frequently than other areas.

A bacterial or viral infection can also cause a psoriasis breakout as it weakens the immune system. Especially the bacteria streptococcus that is related to tonsillitis and sinusitis seems to trigger psoriasis.

In addition to this list, several medications are known to trigger psoriasis. Among them are beta blockers ACE inhibitors and Lithium.

A diet change might as well affect psoriasis; however that has never been proven.

Is there a cure for psoriasis?

Unfortunately there is no cure for psoriasis. However, there are some products in the market that actually help clearing up flare ups and reduce them significantly. As with so many other conditions, different people might have different experiences with products. The best way to find out which product works for you is trying. Many people trust natural products like Manuka Oil, because it has no known side effects and is very soothing for the skin. In fact many of our customers over the past 10 years have reported amazing success stories and keep ordering this extraordinary oil ever since.

In order to relieve the itching of the skin it is also recommended to moisturize it at all times. Some people take antihistamines or aspirin when the itching becomes worse. Another way cool the skin is to take a cold shower or to press a wet towel onto the itching area until the itching stops.