Manuka Oil for Toe Fungus

Australian tea tree essential oil is often recommended for people with athlete's foot and toenail fungus. Yet another Down Under botanical also has its fans. Manuka essential oil, a product related to tea tree oil, possesses many of the same antifungal, antibacterial and antiseptic properties as tea tree oil. Herbal remedies may not be as effective at treating toenail fungus as prescription medications, so ask your doctor before attempting self-treatment with manuka oil.

The Basics

Toenail fungi sometimes get picked up when you develop small cuts or sores near your nails, or if your feet are exposed to warm, moist places such as swimming pools and locker rooms, according to MayoClinic.com. Heavy shoes and socks, which don't provide air circulation, also contribute to the problem. People with athlete's foot and older adults with poor circulation are also more at risk for toenail fungus than the general population. Symptoms of toenail fungus include dark nails, or nails that are thick, yellowing or easily broken. Pain stemming from the nail separating from the bed also indicates toenail fungus.

Therapeutic Properties

Manuka essential oil and manuka honey are effective against several bacterial strains, including E.coli and salmonella, notes the Linus Pauling Institute. Recent studies show manuka oil to be effective against other organisms, including the fungus Trichophyton mentagrophytes. This fungus can cause several conditions in humans, including toenail fungus and athlete's foot.

Application Methods

As with Australian tea tree oil, manuka oil can be applied directly to the skin without dilution. Put a drop or two on a cotton ball or clean cloth and rub the oil into the affected areas, including both the nails and the nail bed, once or twice a day. Consider sprinkling a few drops into sneakers before exercising to kill fungi before they can become a problem. Use a greater amount to swab your feet if the toenail fungus is related to athlete's foot. If you have sensitive skin, however, consider adding a drop or two to 1 tbsp. of jojoba or avocado oil before rubbing it into your skin.

Origin of Manuka Oil

Also known as New Zealand tea tree oil, the manuka tree is related to the Australian tea tree, notes the Linus Pauling Institute. Manufacturers distill the oil from the tree's branches. Manuka trees, which grow on New Zealand's East Cape, have the highest concentration of the antifungal compound leptospermone.

Tea Tree vs. Manuka Tree

Technically, the Australian tea tree and the new Zealand manuka tree are two different plants, yet the tea tree and manuka tree both belong to the same plant family, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. They, along with a third tree known as kanuka, can be collectively grouped under the familiar name "tea trees" because they all have similar therapeutic properties, according to the institute.