A study has found that the oil of the kānuka tree, a New Zealand native, is an effective treatment for eczema.
The clinical trial, led by the Medical Research Institute of New Zealand, involved 80 participants across the country.
Lead study author, Nick Shortt, said that cream containing 3 per cent kānuka oil was more effective at improving eczema in adults than cream without kānuka oil.
He said that the research was an example of an evidence-based alternative to standard eczema treatments.
“There’s a benefit in having different options out there for people, one of the things we did find was that a lot of people wanting to take part had tried many other different things and hadn’t seen any effect.”
Eczema is a common condition that damages the barrier function of skin, making it more sensitive and prone to infection and dryness.
Hikurangi Bioactives Limited Partnership Co-Founder Manu Caddie said that the results of the trial were very promising.
“The success of this trial using kānuka oil to treat eczema is hugely exciting and could now lead to a sustainable and profitable industry for the Tairāwhiti region, providing new jobs for local people.”
The kānuka tree grows abundantly throughout the Tairāwhiti region (the northeast coast of the North Island) and is part of traditional Māori medicine.
Image credit: www.forestandbird.org.nz
