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Highlights • Utilisation of mānuka and kānuka trees for industrial application are discussed. • Products of kānuka as much as mānuka possess almost similar characteristics. • Kānuka oil has viable immuno-stimulatory properties than that of mānuka. • Large avenues, beyond current products to be exploited commercially. Abstract This paper brings to light the current status of products from mānuka , (Leptospermum scoparium J.R.Forst. & G.Forst) and kānuka (Kunzea ericoides (A.Rich) Joy Thomps), and to show that kānuka products also have significant biological potency. Mānuka and kānuka are two native tea tree species found widely within New Zealand. Most research on these two plants was and still is, motivated by the medicinal value identified in the products such as essential oil. It was observed that unlike mānuka, which has extensive and in-depth research and reviews conducted on it, similar studies and appraisals on kānuka is lacking. The few available research outputs available on kānuka have proven that it is superior in terms of anti-inflammatory properties, hence more research and appraisal is required to demonstrate its potency. This review presents evidence that will help promote diversified utilisation of mānuka and kānuka and encourage commercialisation of the latter as much as is done for the former. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The two New Zealand tea-tree oils, Manuka (Leptospermum scoparium J.R. et G. Forst) and Kanuka (Kunzea ericoides (A. Rich) J. Thompson), Myrtaceae have been used as folk medicines for treating diarrhoea, colds and inflammation but their pharmacological action has not been investigated. Their mode of action was therefore studied on the field-stimulated guinea-pig ileum. Both Manuka and Kanuka oils induced a spasmolytic effect but Kanuka produced an initial contraction. The spasmolytic action of both oils was the result of a post-synaptic mechanism. Action involving adrenoceptors or cGMP was not considered likely, neither did the oils behave like calcium- or potassium-channel openers. There is some evidence that Manuka acts through cAMP whereas the mode of action of Kanuka is as yet undetermined. The results indicate that the use of these oils as relaxants in aromatherapy might be valid, although their mode of action is not identical.