Whether you’ve heard about it from health blogs, influencers you follow swear by the stuff, or you’ve noticed the high price of Manuka honey in pharmacies and supplement stores, there’s no doubt that there’s a lot of buzz around this specific type of honey around the world!
From claims that Manuka honey can help with combating serious illnesses and improve the appearance of skin conditions in a number of days, there are certainly a lot of expectations surrounding this type of honey.
But is it really that good for you? Can it truly improve your overall health and wellbeing?
Well, in this article, that's exactly what I’m going to be getting to the bottom of!
We will not only take a look at the health benefits of Manuka honey, but get to know what this type of honey is, who should and who shouldn’t take it, and how you should consume it!
What Is Manuka Honey?
Manuka honey is honey made by bees that pollinate the flowers on Manuka trees in New Zealand.
These trees, which are only native to New Zealand, bloom between 2-6 weeks of the year, and therefore the amount of this honey is pretty scarce, unlike other types of more traditional honey.
Manuka honey can also be produced in some areas of Australia, Manuka trees are not native to this country and therefore although Australian Manuka honey can provide with you much the same benefits as its New Zealand counterpart, authentic Manuka honey only comes from New Zealand.
What is a UMF Rating of Manuka Honey?
Manuka honey is rated using a Unique Manuka Factor (UMF) number.
Each type of Manuka honey is given a UMF number that represents the amount of MGO in the honey.
MGO refers to Methylglyoxal, a compound that indicates how strong the antibacterial properties in honey are.
Manuka honey can have a UMF rating from UMF 5+ to UMF 20+. The higher the MUF rating of Manuka honey, the more MGO it has! Therefore, if you want a potent Manuka honey, you will want to choose one that has a high UMF rating, such as 20+.
8 Health Benefits of Manuka Honey
The benefits list associated with Manuka honey is extensive – there are a number of health benefits associated with it. However, let’s take a look at just 8 of the most commonly known, well-researched, and most powerful benefits!
1Helps To Treat Wounds
One of the most scientifically backed benefits associated with Manuka Honey is its ability to help with healing wounds. Manuka honey, when applied topically, draws the fluid from wounds, removing dirt and debris.
Manuka honey also has anti-inflammatory properties, which we will take a look at in more depth next. However, these anti-inflammatory properties help to reduce the swelling of wounds.
It also creates a protective barrier on wounds, providing antibacterial and antioxidant properties.
In fact, the wound healing properties associated with Manuka honey are so powerful that it’s clinically approved in certain countries around the world, including New Zealand, Australia, and the USA.
2Provides Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Manuka honey has powerful anti-inflammatory properties, meaning it can help to reduce the level of inflammation in the body.
Inflammation, especially chronic inflammation, can lower the strength of the immune system, therefore leaving you more susceptible to bad bacteria, chronic stress levels, illnesses, and diseases.
Therefore, Manuka honey doesn’t just lower levels of inflammation, but it can also help to boost the immune system, help to reduce the likelihood of serious illnesses, and lower stress levels.
3Promotes A Healthy Gut
Manuka honey can help to support the gut in a variety of ways. Firstly, research shows that Manuka honey contains specific enzymes that help to break down, digest, and absorb food in the gut.
Manuka honey also affects the bacteria of the gut. Manuka honey, just like all types of honey, is prebiotic, meaning it can help to stimulate the growth of healthy bacteria within the gut.
Additionally, the antibacterial properties in Manuka honey (in particular, methylglyoxal), help to kill harmful bacteria in the gut, therefore preventing digestive illnesses.
Studies also show that Manuka honey can help to treat gastric ulcers.
4Soothes Sore Throats
Honey is commonly used to help treat sore throats, coughs, and tonsillitis since it can help soothe these symptoms and promote healing.
However, consuming Manuka honey when you’re dealing with one of these illnesses can make a real difference.
Since Manuka honey has both strong antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, it combats sore throats and other throat-related illnesses in two ways.
From the antibacterial aspect, Manuka honey helps to banish bad bacteria from your body, and from the anti-inflammatory aspect, the honey helps to soothe the swelling and irritation of the throat.
5Improves Oral Health
In addition to soothing sore throats, Manuka honey can provide other benefits to this area of the body!
Although Manuka honey may have high sugar content, which you may think would be detrimental to oral health, research has shown that consuming this type of honey can actually improve it.
Manuka honey can improve oral health due to the fact that it has high antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
These powerful properties in Manuka honey attack harmful bacteria in the mouth that’s associated with the formation of plaque, inflammation of the gums, gingivitis, and bleeding.
So, consuming Manuka honey can promote healthier teeth, protect and improve the health of gums, and help to combat oral conditions.
6Helps Combat Viruses
Alongside having anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, Manuka honey is also said to have antiviral properties.
Although clinically, Manuka honey isn’t used to treat viruses, research has shown that it can be effective in combating certain types of influenza and certain viruses, such as shingles.
Since there haven’t been many human trials to study the relationship between Manuka honey and viruses, you shouldn’t use it exclusively to try and combat them. However, it can be used in addition to medication, since it may support your body in getting rid of viruses.
7Helps To Treat Acne
A number of skincare products that are supposed to help treat acne feature Manuka honey, and for good reason.
Studies have shown that Manuka honey, both when applied topically and consumed, can help to treat acne.
This is due to the fact that Manuka honey inhibits the growth of certain types of bacteria that cause breakouts, whilst reducing inflammation of the skin.
Additionally, Manuka honey is a humectant, meaning it can add moisture to the skin, reducing dryness and the appearance of dull skin.
8Boosts The Immune System
Manuka honey isn’t just great at reducing the severity of sore throats when you’re skin and lowering levels of inflammation to help you bypass certain illnesses, but it can actively and directly boost the immune system too.
Manuka honey increases the production of cytokine, a protein that supports the growth and activity of immune system cells, in addition to blood cells.
Therefore, directly boosting the immune system and making it less likely that illness will occur.
FAQ’s About Manuka Honey
Is Manuka Honey Suitable For Everyone?
Although Manuka honey is brimming with benefits, not everyone should consume it. Anyone who has an allergy to honey or bees, or is under the age of one, should not consume Manuka honey.
If you have diabetes, do not consume Manuka honey before consulting your doctor because like other types of honey, it is high in sugar.
How Much Manuka Honey Should You Consume?
The standard recommended dose of Manuka honey is 1-2 tablespoons per day. However, try not to exceed more than 30g (two tablespoons) per day, since Manuka honey is high in sugar.
Why Is Manuka Honey So Expensive?
Manuka honey is so expensive due to the fact that it’s rare! Manuka honey only grows authentically in New Zealand, the flowers on Manuka trees only bloom every 2-6 weeks a year, and weather conditions can sometimes stop it from blossoming.
The Bottom Line – Manuka Honey Is Incredibly Beneficial!
Manuka honey is an incredibly potent type of honey that has impressive antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant benefits.
Whether you’re in need of something to help you combat a condition, or you simply want to improve your overall health and wellbeing, manuka honey can definitely help.
Just remember, Manuka honey is a specific type of honey that comes from bees that pollinate Manuka trees in New Zealand.
So, make sure you’re buying real Manuka honey if you’re thinking of purchasing some!