Manuka honey is derived from the nectar of the Mānuka tree (Leptospermum scoparium), native to New Zealand. Its distinctiveness is mainly due to Methylglyoxal (MGO), which correlates with its powerful health properties.
Manuka honey’s health properties include:
- Antibacterial properties: Manuka honey combats a broad spectrum of bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant ones.
- Antiviral properties: Manuka honey is effective against various viral infections.
- Antioxidant properties: Manuka honey is rich in antioxidants that help neutralize free radicals.
- Anti-inflammatory properties: Manuka honey helps reduce inflammation, benefiting skin health and internal conditions.
- Antiparasitic properties: Manuka honey aids in fighting parasitic infections.
These properties make Manuka honey a versatile ally in health and wellness, extending far beyond its role as a simple sweetener.
Best Manuka Honey for Daily Consumption
For daily consumption, we recommend our mid-activity 350+ MGO Manuka honey which offers moderate therapeutic benefits. It’s the perfect grade if you want to incorporate honey into your daily routine.
You can use the 350+ MGO Manuka honey for:
- General health support: Incorporating Manuka honey into your daily diet can help fortify your overall health due to its natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Natural sweetener: Manuka honey is a healthier alternative to refined sugars and artificial sweeteners due to its natural origin and lower glycemic index, which prevents rapid spikes in blood sugar levels. It is also rich in nutrients, including minerals like calcium, magnesium, and zinc, which contribute to its health benefits.
Integrate Manuka honey into your daily diet by drizzling it on your morning toast, using it to sweeten your tea, or taking a spoonful directly from the jar for a daily health boost.
Best Manuka Honey for Skincare
Consistent use of high-activity Manuka honey as part of your daily skincare routine can yield significant results for skin care applications, especially in treating acne. We recommend our high-activity 550+ MGO Manuka honey because of the following properties:
- Antibacterial properties: Manuka honey contains antibacterial properties that are effective against a wide range of bacteria, including tough, antibiotic-resistant strains that often exacerbate acne.
- Anti-inflammatory effects: Manuka honey helps reduce inflammation around acne sites, which reduces redness and swelling.
- Natural moisturizer: Manuka honey is a natural humectant that absorbs moisture into the skin, keeping it hydrated and preventing dryness.
- Promotes healing and scar reduction: The healing properties of Manuka honey can accelerate the repair of acne-damaged skin and reduce scar visibility.
To use Manuka honey for acne…as a gentle facial cleanser, massage a small amount onto damp skin in circular motions for a few minutes, then rinse thoroughly. For targeted treatment, dab a small amount of Manuka honey on pimples or acne spots before bedtime. Over time, Manuka honey can help reduce inflammation and accelerate healing.
Best Manuka Honey for Wound Healing
The best Manuka honey for wound healing is our high-activity 550+ MGO or 830+ MGO Manuka honey because of the following properties:
- Antibacterial action: Manuka honey's antibacterial properties are highly effective against a broad range of bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant strains like MRSA.
- Maintains a moist wound environment: Manuka honey's high sugar content helps retain moisture at the wound site, which is essential for healing. Its hygroscopic nature draws water out from the wound, maintaining moisture and promoting tissue regeneration, while its viscosity forms a protective barrier against contamination.
- Promotes tissue regeneration: Rich in antioxidants and essential nutrients, Manuka honey nourishes skin cells, promoting their growth. Antioxidants neutralize damaging free radicals, speeding up the repair and regeneration of healthy tissue.
- Reduces inflammation and pain: Manuka honey reduces inflammation by modulating the body's inflammatory responses, helping to decrease swelling and redness around wounds. This not only eases pain but also creates favorable conditions for healing.
Common cuts, burns, and scraps can be treated with 550+ MGO honey. If you are dealing with a stubborn or severe wound, or are concerned you have an existing infection or high risk of infection, try our Mānuka Honey Founder's Reserve 830+ MG/kg.
Best Manuka Honey for Cold and Flu
The best Manuka honey for cold and flu is the high-activity 550+ MGO Manuka honey. This honey can be taken directly from the jar or used as a sweetener in beverages like tea or warm water with lemon, aiding in immune support.
How to use Manuka honey for cold and flu
- At the onset of symptoms: Take 2 –3 teaspoons of Manuka honey daily. Its antiviral properties help slow down viruses like the influenza virus and reduce the severity of symptoms.
- As a preventative measure: Daily 1-2 teaspoons intake can help boost your immune system.
If you are battling a particularly difficult cold or flu, we recommend trying our Mānuka Honey Founder's Reserve 830+ MG/kg.
Best Manuka Honey for Digestive Health
The best Manuka honey for digestive health is our 550+ MG high-activity Manuka honey. Consuming 1 –2 teaspoons daily can improve digestion and alleviate discomfort from various digestive ailments.
How Manuka honey supports digestive health
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Antimicrobial effectiveness: Manuka honey contains strong antimicrobial properties, which are effective against harmful microbes like Clostridium difficile.
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Anti-inflammatory properties: Manuka honey reduces inflammation in the digestive tract, soothing irritation and protecting the mucosal barrier. This helps prevent damage from opportunistic bacteria and supports overall digestive health.
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Antioxidant capabilities: Manuka honey is rich in antioxidants, which help reduce oxidative stress in the gut.
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IBS and IBD relief: Manuka honey's anti-inflammatory effects are particularly beneficial for managing Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), reducing colonic inflammation and easing flare-ups.
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Protection against stomach ulcers: Manuka honey targets H. pylori bacteria, which helps heal and prevent stomach ulcers. It protects gastric tissue from damage and promotes the recovery of the gastric mucosa.
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Probiotic support: Manuka honey acts as a prebiotic, enhancing the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. This supports a balanced gut microbiome, improving nutrient absorption and reducing digestive discomfort.
Incorporating high-activity Manuka honey into your daily regimen can significantly bolster your digestive system's health, making it a valuable natural remedy for various digestive issues. If you experience good results with our 550+ MGO honey but want to consume less sugar content, try a proportionally smaller dose of our 830+ MGO honey and compare how your system responds.
Digestive health issues tend to be very specific to each individual, due to the complexity of our digestive systems, and the variety of diets we eat. While many people experience significant benefits from daily consumption of Manuka honey, results by individuals may vary.
Best Manuka Honey for Oral Health
The best Manuka honey for oral health is the 550+ MG high-activity Manuka honey. This is thanks to its potent health-boosting properties.
How Manuka Honey Benefits Oral Health
- Eliminating bad breath: Manuka honey targets the bacteria responsible for bad breath or halitosis. Its high MGO content correlates with strong antibacterial action, as demonstrated in studies, such as one conducted by Tsurumi University, to significantly reduce halitosis more effectively than other kinds of honey.
- Reducing oral plaque: Manuka honey inhibits the growth of bacteria that form dental plaque and reduces the production of harmful acids. Studies, like those from the Modern Dental College & Research Centre, have shown that Manuka honey can effectively lower plaque levels when used as a mouthwash, compared favorably to traditional treatments.
- Combating oral infections: Manuka honey's broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties help prevent and treat oral infections like gingivitis and periodontal diseases. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, it also helps reduce the severity of oral mucositis in cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy.
- Supporting overall oral hygiene: Regular application of Manuka honey in oral care routines can help reduce gum inflammation and prevent dental decay. Its natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities support a healthier oral microbiome, contributing to better oral health.
Integrating Manuka honey into daily oral care, whether as a mouthwash solution or a topical application to the gums, can provide significant health benefits, helping to maintain a clean and healthy mouth.
Conclusion
Manuka Honey from Bees & Trees offers a wide range of health benefits, from boosting immunity to improving oral health. We invite you to explore our variety of Manuka honey products to find one that suits your needs.
For more information or to make a purchase, visit our Bees & Trees website. We offer different grades of Manuka honey so you can find the perfect match for your health regimen. If you're not sure which jar to pick - why not try them all with our 3-jar Manuka honey bundle?
