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Manuka honey, scientifically known as Leptospermum Scoparium, is derived from the nectar of the manuka bush in New Zealand. It is a dark honey that has been used for centuries in traditional medicine and is gaining recognition worldwide for its numerous health benefits.
Manuka organic honey is different from regular honey in many ways.
Research suggests that manuka honey offers more antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties than regular honey. It helps treat wounds, burns, coughs, and colds.
While regular honey is very sweet, manuka honey has a strong smell and can have a somewhat bitter flavor due to high levels of methylglyoxal compounds. Regular honey may also contain additives or sweeteners to enhance the flavor.
Bees make manuka honey only to collect nectar and pollinate the manuka tree. Regular honey is made with nectar and pollen from various types of flowers. It offers varied health benefits, such as wound healing, protection against ulcers, and better sexual and oral health, to name a few.
Here are the top 5 health benefits and uses of manuka honey backed by scientific research.
The high methylglyoxal concentration or MGO in manuka honey helps kill harmful bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant strains like MRSA.
Antibiotic resistance happens when bacteria and fungi defeat the drugs designed to eliminate them, meaning despite the intake of antibiotic drugs, they keep on growing. Such infections are difficult, sometimes even impossible, to treat. Organic manuka honey can combat harmful bacteria, making it a valuable antibacterial agent.
Remember when your mother or grandmother gave you honey and lemon to relieve a sore throat or bad cough? It turns out, they were on to something!
In fact, many have found relief by using manuka honey for sore throat, cough, and upper respiratory tract infections such bronchitis and influenza. Antibiotic treatments do not help in treating a virus which is why natural substances like organic manuka honey may be a safe and effective treatment for symptoms of viral respiratory infections.
The thick consistency of honey has a soothing effect on the throat and reduces discomfort. while the antibacterial properties help fight off pathogens leading to infections. Subsequently, according to a study conducted by National Library of Medicine, using coffee and manuka honey for sore throat in conjunction with other treatments helps with persistent post-infection cough or PPC.
Manuka honey positively affects digestive health. It helps relieve acid reflux, soothes the lining of the stomach and intestines, reduces inflammation, and promotes beneficial gut bacteria growth.
The human digestive system has both good and bad bacteria. Honey strengthens and stimulates good bacterial count. Thus, it is also considered a strong prebiotic (foods that support good bacteria to thrive).
Manuka honey produces a prebiotic called FOS or fructooligosaccharides that helps feed the intestine some good bacteria. It eradicates as many as 50 types of harmful bacteria. Thus, regular organic raw manuka honey is a great way to ensure your gut microbiome is effective and strong.
The use of manuka honey benefits skin health in many ways. For ages, honey has been an effective ingredient in skin care routines. Manuka honey increases the water content of the skin, locks the moisture in, and acts as a natural moisturizer. Many skin care products contain manuka honey due to its anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, and soothing properties. It not only helps hydrate the skin and reduce inflammation but also aids in getting rid of acne, soothes eczema, and treats other skin conditions.
It has been shown to prevent the overproduction of sebum, the root cause of acne while its antibiotic properties reduce swelling and redness.
Additionally, many dermatologists recommend it for eczema as well. One of the most common triggers of eczema is dry and scaly skin. Since honey improves water content in the skin, it relieves dryness, soothes the swollen or itching skin and subsides the inflammation. It also helps in keeping your hair healthy. Honey finds its place in a lot of natural hair masks and hair care products.
Wound care is a complex process of restoring the cellular integrity of damaged tissue. Many antimicrobial agents have become ineffective in wound treatment with the emergence of multiple drug-resistant bacteria. Because of this, alternative therapies have now found their way into mainstream wound healing treatment. Manuka honey is an organic, safe-to-use substance with a proven ability to hinder bacterial growth.
Manuka honey contains several active compounds, such as organic acid, vitamins, flavonoids, phenolic acid, and enzymes which improve the wound-healing process. Many wound dressings contain manuka honey which helps decrease wound pH, reduce odor, and minimize necrosis. Studies have shown that manuka honey on wounds help heal partial thickness burn wounds.
All kinds of honey possess some antibacterial properties due to the release of natural mild hydrogen peroxide when an enzyme in the honey encounters moisture in the body. This peroxide is destroyed when exposed to sunlight, heat, or fluids.
UMF stands for Unique Manuka Factor, a quality mark identifying the rawness of the honey. The trademark indicates the quality and the amount of unique natural properties it has.
Make sure to choose a UMF rating of 10 or higher to ensure you're getting all the essential manuka honey benefits. UMF ranges from 10 to 25. The higher the rating, the more potent and expensive the honey. The honey that scores UMF 10+ is considered good enough for medicinal use.
NPA stands for non-peroxide activity which is the unique property that makes manuka honey more potent and stable. It is derived from methylglyoxal, or MGO, found in leptosperin, a naturally occurring substance in the nectar of the manuka plant.
The NPA number shows the antimicrobial strength of the manuka honey. Since NPA is associated with MGO, its rating also depends on the MGO rating. For instance, 10+ NPA equals MGO 260+. It means the antiseptic qualities appear when the activity is 10+. The higher the NPA level, the stronger the product.
HPFY has been your health and wellness partner since 2002. We offer a variety of health and medical products, including manuka honey products, wound care, ostomy, health and wellness, and respiratory supplies. We carry the best medical grade manuka honey products at the most affordable prices.
The high sugar levels of medical-grade manuka honey create a moist wound-healing environment and rapidly reduce wound odor. TheraHoney wound gel is 100% sterile with no additives or fillers. It is ideal to use on wounds with zero to moderate drainage and should be paired with an occlusive medihoney dressing.
This manuka honey cream is ideal for minor burns, cuts, and scrapes. It dries the oozing and weeping of poison ivy, poison oak, and sumac and provides temporary relief from skin irritations.
This occlusive medihoney wound dressing contains 95 percent Active Manuka honey and supports a moist environment crucial for optimal wound healing. Derma Sciences Medihoney dressing is designed for partial to full-thickness burns and wounds with moderate to heavy drainage.
A wonderful moisturizer that hydrates, soothes and helps repair dry, cracked skin. With active dimethicone and phytoplex, which combine jojoba esters, and other natural oils to nourish skin cells, it is safe for all age groups.
Ideal to use as a natural decongestant for colds. Wedderspoon drops have powerful anti-bacterial and anti-viral plant extracts to soothe sore throat and persistent cough.
Author Profile: Shweta Chaubey
Shweta Chaubey, has been a Health Products For You contributor since 2021. An advocate-turned-writer, her desire to create meaningful and positive content has brought her to HPFY and what better than writing for a health and wellness website, we don’t say it, she does! She believes in the tenants of hard work, honesty, and being humble in all she does. She dreams of becoming an administrative officer and truly making a difference in people’s lives.
Reviewed by: Christine Kijek, Registered Colorectal Nurse on August 25, 2024
Christine Kijek is a registered nurse with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. She has completed courses for wound and ostomy specialty and has 20 years of experience. She has been a Health Products For You contributor since February 2021. A colorectal nurse at Danbury Hospital in Danbury, CT, she has a wealth of knowledge in the field of ostomy and wound care. An ostomate herself, she has first-hand knowledge about living with an ostomy. Christine hosts HPFY’s monthly ostomy support group and our monthly Ostomy Webinar. Christine enjoys riding motorcycles and gardening. She can often be found onboard a Carnival Cruise ship lounging by the pool with her husband Ed.
Disclaimer: All content found on our website, including images, videos, infographics, and text were created solely for informational purposes. Our reviewed content should never be used for the purpose of diagnosis or treatment of any medical conditions. Content shared on our websites is not meant to be used as a substitute for advice from a certified medical professional. Reliance on the information provided on our website as a basis for patient treatment is solely at your own risk. We urge all our customers to always consult a physician or a certified medical professional before trying or using a new medical product.
Shweta Chaubey, has been a Health Products For You contributor since 2021. An advocate-turned-writer, her desire to create meaningful and positive content has brought her to HPFY and what better than writing ...
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