- Supports the healing of wounds
- Soothes a sore throat
- Improves your oral health
- Supports your gut health
- Boosts the Immune System
Manuka honey, native to New Zealand has been showing a recent resurgence in wellness. You may be wondering what all the fuss is about! Here's what you need to know, plus some of the top Manuka honey benefits.
Produced by bees that pollinate from the Manuka scrub plant of New Zealand, it is much more potent than your standard honey, all thanks to its higher concentration of a compound called methylglyoxal (MGO) which gives it its antibacterial power. So, the higher the MGO level, the stronger its medicinal effect.
Also, in comparison to your everyday honey, Manuka honey is subjected to very little processing meaning that its beneficial nutrients with vitamins, mineral and amino acids are kept, thus providing us with all the powerful benefits that make Manuka Honey unique!
You may have noticed a UMF rating whilst coming across any Manuka Honey. UMF, which stands for Unique Manuka Factor, is a system created by the ‘Unique Manuka Factor Honey Association’ in New Zealand. This rating reflects the concentration of MGO, DHA and leptosperin, the 3 signature compounds that can be found in genuine Manuka Honey to ensure quality and purity. Ranging from UMF 5+ to UMF 20+, the honey needs to have a minimum rating of UMF 10+ or MGO 263 in order to be classed as an effective therapeutic agent.
READ ALSO: What is Manuka Honey?
Want to take advantage of all the medicinal uses that this superfood has to offer? Here are some of the great benefits that Manuka Honey can provide and how you may be able to use it to enhance your general health.
1 Supports the healing of wounds
As what may be its most renowned benefit, honey has been used to treat wounds, burns and sores dating way back to thousands of years ago. Manuka honey offers antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, whilst providing and maintaining a protective barrier and moist wound environment to prevent against any microbial infections.
Studies have shown that Manuka honey also provides support for tissue regeneration, soothing itchy, dry skin prone to eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis and even decreases the level of pain in those suffering from burns. It has a lower pH level than most honey, which can help in speeding up the healing process!
2 Soothes a sore throat
Looking to get rid of that uncomfortable, scratchy feeling? Manuka honey can help with providing relief when suffering from a sore throat. Adding a couple of tablespoons to a warm drink can reduce inflammation and help to attack the bad bacteria. In addition to this, the honey coats the throat’s inner lining to soothe any pain and reduce any discomfort of a sore throat.
Manuka lozenges or drops are a great and easy way to take Manuka Honey when dealing with a cough or sore throat. You can find drops infused with ingredients such as ginger or propolis for added wellness. Just pop a drop of Manuka honey whilst you’re on the go for an instant soothing effect.
3 Improves your oral health
On top of soothing a sore throat, Manuka honey is great for keeping the rest of your mouth healthy. With propolis, another compound produced from beehives with antibacterial properties, both can be used to treat swelling and sores inside the mouth. The antibacterial effects can help to minimize the bad oral bacteria that could affect your gum health or cause tooth decay.
Although honey is sweet and we’re all aware that too much can lead to cavities, unlike unrefined sugar, the potent antibacterial effect of sweet Manuka honey means that it is unlikely to contribute to this! Some studies have even shown that it can protect against dental plaque build up which can prevent gum disease.
4 Supports your gut health
Manuka honey, as a source of non-digestible carbohydrates called oligosaccharides, acts as a prebiotic promoting the growth of good gut bacteria. This means that when ingested, it can help our natural probiotics to flourish and stay effective, which promotes a healthy and balanced microbiome.
Researchers have discovered that regularly consuming Manuka honey may help with digestive disorders, such as decreasing the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), which includes abdominal pain, constipation and diarrhoea. Additional studies have shown its use in helping treat gastric ulcers.
5 Boosting the Immune System
Manuka honey is said to have immune boosting qualities that are unrivalled in other types of honey. Loaded with enzymes, minerals and the key ingredient methylglyoxal or MGO which is at a much higher level, this brings an increase in its antimicrobial properties and suggested antiviral effects that allow this superfood to protect your body from colds, flu or other viruses.
Discover more from the wide Manuka range we have available, from honey itself, to products across skincare, nutrition and wellbeing infused with the incredible ingredient!