Manuka Honey
Learn the benefits this miraculous honey has to offer
Real Manuka honey comes only from New Zealand. It’s a monofloral honey produced from the nectar of the manuka tree. It produces a highly medicinal honey.
One of the main differences between honey and Manuka honey is the price difference. Manuka honey is considerably more expensive. It’s so expensive because it comes from the nectar of the Manuka flower, which has powerful antibacterial compounds and is only found in New Zealand and parts of Australia. The Manuka flower is subject to difficult weather conditions and grows at high altitudes, making it rare and hard to harvest.
Also, Manuka honey has antiviral, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
It has been used to treat wounds, digestive issues, sore throats and coughs, bacterial infections and even to prevent tooth decay.
manuka honey grading
Manuka honey is usually graded by MGO, UMF, or NPA.
All of these grading systems are ways to show the antibacterial properties, quality and potency of each batch of Manuka Honey.
Mgo
MGO stands for methylglyoxal which is a unique powerful ingredient found in Manuka honey. It’s responsible for many of Manuka honeys healing properties. And is what gives Manuka its antibacterial properties. Manuka honey contains up to 100 times more Methylglyoxal than regular honey. If a honey’s label says MGO 83+, that means the honey contains 83mg of Methylglyoxal per each kilogram of product.
Methylglyoxal inhibits the growth of pathogens and biofilms found in wounds. It can help with acne, boils, and other types of infections. It’s also good for Streptococcus pyogenes and gram-negative strains including E. coli.
umf
The UMF grading system was introduced by the ‘Unique Manuka Factor Honey Association’ in New Zealand. It looks at the label’s claim that it’s genuine Manuka honey. And the unique signature compounds of Manuka honey, which ensure quality and purity. These include: Leptosperin, DHA and MGO. Then the honey is given a UMF rating from 5+ to 20+. So, the greater the UMF rating, the more antibacterial activity the honey has and the more potent it is.
npa
Again, NPA is looking at the antibacterial properties of the honey. It stands for Non-Peroxide Activity of honey. Honey which has a low count of non-peroxide activity tends to have lower antibacterial activity.
benefits of manuka honey
Let’s look at some of the amazing benefits of Manuka honey.
1. Powerful Antibacterial Properties
Regular honey has antibacterial properties, but the MGO content in Manuka honey is what makes it have such a powerful antibacterial effect. The higher the MGO rating, the more potent antibacterial properties it has.
2. Supports Wound Healing
The potent antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of Manuka honey are why it’s so good when it comes to wound healing. Also, it helps protect the wound from bacterial infections. It’s been used effectively to help heal burns, ulcers and non-healing wounds. It has proven so effective that it’s been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for wound treatment. And, it’s proven to reduce the pain.
3. Helps Soothe Sore Throats and Coughs
Regular raw honey is amazing for helping with sore throats and coughs. Pair that with the powerful antibacterial properties in Manuka honey, and you’re on to a winner.
Many coughs are caused by upper respiratory tract infections such as the common cold, acute bronchitis and influenza. These infections are caused by bacteria or viruses. And due to the powerful antibacterial properties in Manuka honey, it can fight them off. A study in 2010 shown that honey was more effective at soothing a sore throat or cough than over the counter medicines.
4. Helps Oral Health
We have bad oral bacteria and good bacteria. We want to get rid of the bad oral bacteria and keep the good bacteria. And, Manuka honey has been shown to do just that. Bad oral bacteria can cause gingivitis and plaque formation.
A study using 135 children found that Manuka honey significantly reduced the formation of plaque and gingivitis.
5. Supports Gut Health
Manuka honey is a prebiotic. Therefore, it’s great for ensuring good gut health. Prebiotics are a source of non-digestible carbohydrates. Our bodies can’t digest these carbs, but our gut bacteria can. They therefore, help the good bacteria in our gut to thrive. In turn ensuring a healthy digestive system.
A recent study has shown Manuka honey to kill C.diff (Clostridioides difficile) cells. C.diff is a bacterial infection that causes diarrhea and inflammation of the bowel.
6. Healthy Skin
Regular honey has amazing effects on the skin. But the powerful antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of Manuka honey make it especially good at fighting blemishes, acne, reducing bacteria on your skin, and soothing the skin leaving it looking radiant.
manuka honey
- Has less than half the sugar of regular honey
- Has under half the carbohydrates of regular honey
- Rich in skin-friendly antioxidants. Retains the cleansing properties and helpful enzymes that could help soothe blemishes
- Is slightly higher in protein and far more nutritionally dense
- Helps to kill off harmful gut bacteria and maintain a thriving microbiome
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