Mānuka: New Zealand’s Golden Guardian of Wellness
Sip slowly. Heal deeply. Live gently.
At Lemon Tree NZ, we celebrate the healing gifts of Aotearoa’s native plants. Our Living Well blog series dives into these natural treasures to help you reconnect with slow, intentional living. This time, we turn to one of New Zealand’s most iconic and powerful plants: Mānuka.
🌿 What is Mānuka?
Mānuka (Leptospermum scoparium) is a resilient shrub native to New Zealand, often found growing wild across hillsides, coastlines, and forest edges. It’s most famously known for producing Mānuka honey, valued around the world for its powerful antibacterial and healing properties.
But Mānuka’s magic doesn’t stop at honey. For centuries, it has been used in rongoā Māori (traditional Māori medicine) to heal, protect, and restore — both internally and externally.
🌸 Traditional Uses of Mānuka
Māori communities have long valued Mānuka for its versatility. Almost every part of the plant has been used in natural healing:
- Leaves were boiled for infusions to relieve fevers, colds, and urinary issues
- Bark was used to soothe burns and skin infections
- Steam baths with Mānuka cleared congestion and rejuvenated the body
- Smoked leaves were used for cleansing spaces and easing asthma symptoms
“Mānuka is a guardian plant — strong, protective, and gentle at the same time.”
🍵 Mānuka as a Healing Tea
Mānuka leaf tea offers a mild, grounding flavour and is packed with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. It’s an excellent herbal ally for:
✔ Supporting respiratory health
✔ Easing bloating and digestion
✔ Calming the nervous system
✔ Boosting natural immunity
🌿 Featured Product: ŌKU Tea Tube – Mānuka
We’re proud to offer the ŌKU Tea Tube – Mānuka, a beautifully packaged and sustainably sourced herbal tea from a local wellness brand we love.
🌱 Hand-harvested in Aotearoa
🌱 Plastic-free packaging in a stunning reusable tube
🌱 Naturally caffeine-free
This tea embodies everything we believe in — slowing down, sipping with intention, and connecting with the land.
Brew a cup. Feel the calm. Let Mānuka hold space for your wellbeing.
🌏 A Plant That Reflects Our Philosophy
Mānuka grows strong even in poor soil. It supports the regeneration of native bush and serves as a protector for the land. In many ways, it mirrors how we want to live — resilient, rooted, and quietly powerful.
You don’t need a full day off to reset. Sometimes, a mindful cup of tea is enough.
