Manuka Honey in Your Pantry & Your Skin Care: The Golden Household Product
It’s always a happy thing when delicious foods are also good for you and promote your health in some way. If you love some raw honey in your tea, and you notice that it soothes a scratchy throat during the chillier (or downright freezing) months, you’ll be happy to know that there are some legit reasons why you need manuka honey in your pantry this winter! (Not to mention in your bathroom!)
Versatile Manuka Honey
Manuka honey hails from New Zealand, and is produced by bees that pollinate the native, white-flowered manuka bush. Some health experts say that this dense, dark-hued honey is minimally processed at low temperatures, and, as such, retains its antibacterial properties, beneficial enzymes, and a higher nutrient profile.
Given that manuka honey tends to carry a higher price point than many other commercial varieties, it’s good to know that there are science-backed reasons to consume this golden nectar. Manuka honey’s antibacterial properties are what set it apart from traditional honey. Additionally, manuka honey contains methylglyoxal (MGO), its active ingredient, which lends the honey its powerful antibacterial properties.
Traditionally speaking, manuka honey has long been used for addressing a slew of health conditions, ranging from gum disease to treating staph infections! In case you need more reasons to nosh on some delicious honey this winter, here are six benefits of eating manuka honey, including why you should have it in your skin care!
- It Helps Heal Damaged Tissues
In 2007, manuka honey was approved by the U.S. FDA for treating wounds. Studies showed that manuka honey can speed up tissue repair and ease pain, which makes it a powerful, natural option for burns and tissue injuries. If you have scarring, applying it like a lotion can help reduce the damaged skin!
- Manuka Boasts Major Antimicrobial Action
Studies shows that manuka honey boasts some serious antimicrobial effects. MGO combined with dihydroxyacetone, two chemical substances with high antimicrobial properties, and other bioactive compounds, such as flavonoids and polyphenol, give manuka honey its healing potency. The same properties are a great, natural alternative to treating acne!
- It's Amazing as a Skin Treatment
A manuka honey face mask might be just what you need to clear up skin irritations and breakouts. Given its power to destroy bacteria and pathogens, manuka honey can kill the bacteria that clog pores and lead to acne. Since manuka is anti-inflammatory too, it can also help soothe red, angry-looking skin and decrease overall inflammation. A manuka honey face mask can also help exfoliate your skin by sloughing off dead skin cells.
- Manuka Honey Can Rev Up Your Immune System
Given that manuka honey has such powerful antimicrobial properties, it can offer a major boost to the immune system, in addition to its tissue repair effects. It’s known for helping to reduce the severity of colds and other germ-developed illnesses.
- Honey Can Soothe A Sore Throat
Everyone knows honey in tea is a go-to to soothe a sore throat, but manuka honey takes those benefits up to a hundred. MGO is the main antibacterial compound in manuka honey. Phenolics in honey can act as antioxidants and may be responsible for its anti-inflammatory and healing properties. Whenever you feel a sore throat coming on, mix a teaspoon or two of manuka honey with warm water and lemon. Honey can help soothe a sore throat and research suggests it can reduce coughing.
- Manuka Honey has Anti-Aging Benefits
Manuka honey is rich in antioxidants, but its real goldmine is in its natural ability to stimulate collagen in the skin! It’s high levels of amino acids within the honey creates the building blocks of collagen and can help fill in those fine lines and wrinkles, not to mention fight against future ones!
No matter how you'd like to try it, there's no better time to toss a jar of manuka honey in your pantry. Whether you need to calm a scratchy throat, or give your skin some extra love this winter, science says that manuka is nothing short of the bee's knees. And don’t forget to add it to your skin care routine! Visit the Wild Naturals online store to discover how easy it can be to use manuka honey for your skin!
