Manuka oil is an essential oil obtained from the steam distillation of the leaves and small branches of the tree Leptospermum scoparium (commonly known as mānuka, or New Zealand tea tree). Though it is used in a wide range of cosmetics, cosmeceuticals and naturopathic and topical medications, manuka oil is a relatively new development; it was first identified during the 1970s[1] and has been produced commercially since the 1980s and investigated by global research teams since then.