Traditionally, the Maori people in New Zealand used Manuka leaves to cure a wide number of ailments – a tea from the leaves was used to treat stomach ailments, while the leaves themselves were used to treat everything from joint pain and fevers to burns and skin disorders.
Despite it’s medicinal properties, Manuka is most widely recognised for the honey it produces. New Zealand Manuka honey has a solid reputation for its unique anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, and is now exported all over the world.
For more on Manuka see Leptospermum scoparium on Wikipedia (Manuka’s Botanical name)
New Zealand Manuka Flower
The benefits of Manuka
Manuka is one of nature’s oldest healing agents. It contains powerful enzymes that lend Manuka its antimicrobial properties: it is anti-bacterial, anti-biotic, anti-inflammatory, anti-septic, anti-fungal and anti-oxidant.
While Manuka honey is widely-known for its anti-bacterial, immune-boosting properties, it’s lesser-known sibling, Manuka oil, has a far more diverse number of uses.
About Manuka Oil
Manuka oil has similar properties to tea tree (Melaleuca) oil, but is up to 33 times more powerful.
Produced in the clean, green countryside of New Zealand through a distillation process, Manuka leaves and flowers are steamed to produce a concentrated oil, which can then be applied topically.
Manuka oil has many uses. It is used in aromatherapy, in cosmetics, and in health care environments, where it is known to be an effective treatment for bacteria such as staphylococcus and streptococcus. It also combats skin irritations and infections, making it an effective topical treatment for eczema, burns, acne, blisters, and insect bites.
But we’ve used it for a new purpose all together.
Why Use Manuka Oil in Anti-Chafe
While most existing anti-chafe products are effective lubricants, they can struggle to handle the knocks and scrapes of the tough environments sportspeople can find themselves in.
Manuka oil not only soothes and protects the skin, but improves cellular regeneration and can help the skin recover from exposure to challenging environments – and that’s why we’ve used it in our Anti-Chafe.
About GoodSport Anti-Chafe
GoodSport Anti-Chafe was founded in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand.
Recognising the need for an all natural, petroleum-free anti-chafe product, founder Tony Lett wanted a balm that athletes could use multi-functionally – one that could not only protect the skin from damage, but also effectively help it recover.
GoodSport Anti-Chafe is proudly the first all natural anti-chafe balm to use Manuka oil.