Frequently Asked Questions

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What is Manuka Oil and why is it so special?
What is Royal Jelly?
What is Manuka Honey?
What is Propolis?
What is Fungus?
Who gets Fungus?
How can you avoid a fungus infection?

What is Manuka Oil and why is it so special?

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.

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 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 skin problems such as fungus.

Manuka Oil penetrates into the deeper layers of the skin where it disinfects and fights bacteria and fungus spores. For this reason Manuka Oil can reach areas that other skin care products cannot reach. That makes Manuka Oil so valuable. Manuka Oil could help you fighting fungus.

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.

The difference between Manuka Oil and most other products on the market is that Manuka Oil does not only fight the symptoms of the fungus. Manuka Oil, as opposed to other products, goes under the skin and helps fighting the fungus where it is. With other products a fungus infection might soon flare up again because the fungus is only suppressed for a short time.

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 Fungus?

Fungus, also called onychomycosis or tinea, is a living organism that prefers dark, warm and damp areas. That is why you can mainly find fungus spores in (public) swimming pools, showers or locker rooms. Fungus causes the infection of your skin. Most people get it under or around their nails, such as finger nail fungus and toenail fungus. Fungus is a very contagious skin condition.

A fungus infection is not always a sign of poor hygiene. Anybody can get fungus. In fact, about 10% of the population in the US suffers from toenail fungus. The fungus can get under your skin only through a tiny cut in your skin. Therefore, many people get a fungus infection when walking barefoot in swimming pool areas, showers or locker rooms. Fungus can also develop because of a poor hygiene when wearing tight, closed shoes too often.

A nail fungus infection can be first recognized by a white or yellow area under the tip of your nail. That is why many people fail to recognize it early enough. In a later stage the nails will become thick and discolored and loose all the shine. People usually get frustrated as their nails become distorted and ugly looking. The nails can also crumble and you might eventually even loose a nail because of a fungus infection. The problem with a toe nail fungus infection is that the nail acts like a cover for the fungus and is thereby virtually protecting the fungus so it can grow even faster.

That is why it is important to act immediately. A fungus infection needs to be treated if you do not want to damage your nail permanently. Also it is important to treat the fungus so that it does not spread to other areas of your skin or even to other people. Absolute hygiene is a must when having a fungus infection. Otherwise you might risk that other people also catch the fungus infection.

If the fungus reaches other parts of your body it can cause a serious and painful skin infection called Paronychia that causes red swelling and pus-filled blisters.

Who gets Fungus?

With fungus it is as with so many other diseases. Some people are just more prone to develop a fungus infection than others. Reasons for a fungus infection are for example

• abnormal pH level of the skin
• injury of the nail
• poor hygiene
• low immune system
• contact with fungus

How can you avoid a fungus infection?

When going to a public swimming pool, locker room or showers you can best avoid getting into contact with fungus spores by wearing sandals or shoes. After visiting any of these places wash your feet thoroughly and dry them very well.

Avoid sharing personal items, like towels or shoes with people that currently have a fungus infection.

For hygienic reasons you should wear socks that absorb moisture (sweat) best, such as cotton or wool. Through those materials the moisture can pass. It is important that your feet get enough air. Therefore shoes that let in enough air are recommended. Shoes made with natural materials like leather shoes as opposed to plastic shoes are a good choice. Wearing damp socks can cause a fungus infection. Also, make sure to change your socks at least once a day, especially when you got the feeling that your feet feel damp. It is also a good idea to wear powder if you already know that your feet sweat a lot.

It surely helps to wash your feet with soap and water at the end of the day and rub them dry as good as you can. Cut your toenails as short as you can so the fungus has no room to get started.

Also, in your house you can walk without shoes and socks to make sure that your feet are really dry.

It is often said that nail polish actually promotes fungus of the nails because it traps the fungus under the nail and virtually protects it. That creates the ideal moist, dark and warm environment without any possible ventilation for the fungus spores.