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Story: Plant extracts

Mānuka honey

Mānuka honey is produced by bees that feed on mānuka flowers. The honey from some areas has antibiotic properties. But the antibiotic compound leptospermone, found in the essential oil from mānuka, does not seem to be responsible for the biological activity of the honey.

Listen to biochemist Peter Molan discuss the medicinal value of mānuka honey.

Sound file from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives Ngā Taonga Kōrero. Any re-use of this audio is a breach of copyright. To request a copy of the recording, contact Sound Archives Ngā Taonga Kōrero (Honey's medicinal value/Reference number C890918C)

About this item

Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand
Photograph by Emily Tutaki

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How to cite this page:

Nigel Perry. 'Plant extracts', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 2-Mar-09
URL: http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/plant-extracts/3/3