What are the Health Benefits of Manuka Honey?

We’re glad you asked. Manuka honey, like all honey, has been used for medicinal purposes since the dawn of time. But what makes Manuka so special is its unique biochemical makeup and very powerful properties that work inside and out to give you the healthiest body year-round!

What is Manuka Honey?

Without getting too much into the science of it, this is the bottom line - regular honey is pasteurized and filtered whereas Manuka Honey remains fairly raw and therefore its medicinal properties are maintained. Think of it like the difference between cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil and a supermarket blend that you can barely taste.

Before we go any further, a word about Manuka. Leptospermum scoparium is known as Manuka in New Zealand but in Australia, they call it Tea Tree. Therefore, any labels you see that refer to manuka honey from New Zealand or certain parts of Australia, they are from the same flower bush that bees pollinate from that create this unique nectar.

What are the Manuka MGO and UMF Ratings?

Manuka factor MGO stands for methylglyoxal. It’s a compound naturally formed in the nectar of the Manuka flower. In the case of Manuka Honey, the methylglyoxal is transferred into the honey where it remains stable and is resistant to heat, light and enzymatic activity in body fluids.

In other words, it maintains its antibacterial properties where other types of honey might not.

UMF refers to the 'Unique Manuka Factor' rating and is an indicator of the purity and quality of the honey. The higher the UMF, the higher and MGO, which basically means greater health benefits. In fact, the healing property of honey is due to its antibacterial activity, which helps maintain a moist wound condition for physical injuries, and its high viscosity helps to provide a protective barrier to prevent infection.

Manuka honey has been reported to exhibit antimicrobial activity against pathogenic bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) making this honey a promising functional food for the treatment of wounds or stomach ulcers. Manuka can even be beneficial for dental health! Manuka helps to fight off the nasty bacteria that can lead to tooth decay and keeping those pearly whites well supported.

Is there nothing this wondrous nectar can't do?

Manuka Honey Health Benefits

In the past 100 years, countless studies have shown manuka honey and other medicinal kinds of honey to offer an effective treatment of coughs, sore throats, burns, wounds, and ulceration with far fewer side effects than other topical treatments. In fact, honey has been found to be equally effective as cough medicines for soothing cough.

Not to mention, that as well as having its own healing properties, Manuka honey works synergistically with many antibiotics and in some cases even improves their efficacy. Some of the benefits of Manuka honey include:

• Antibacterial properties
• Can clear infections
• Wound healing
• Boosts immune system
• Treats gingivitis
• Fighting colds, sore throats, and sinus infections

Why Does Manuka Honey Cost So Much?

Manuka Honey is made by bees that pollinate the Manuka flower, which is native to New Zealand and blooms just 2-6 weeks per year. That small window combined with the higher degree of medical benefits is what puts the hefty price on Manuka. And the higher the UMF/MGO, the greater the benefits and the higher the price.

What Else is Manuka Honey Good For?

For one thing, Manuka honey can be extremely beneficial as a skin care product!

While ingesting it for your health is wise, finding a skin care line that boasts manuka honey as a main ingredient is certainly well worth the venture! Manuka honey is incredible at treating the following skin problems and conditions:

• Eczema
• Psoriasis
• Rosacea
• Shingles
• Acne
• Wrinkles/Fine Lines
• Dry Skin
• Inflammation
• Acne Scars

So, now that you know all about the extraordinary properties of manuka honey, now is the time to start the new year off right with swapping out your skin care for a natural brand that was created with manuka honey’s benefits in mind! Shop the online store at Wild Naturals and discover what your skin has been missing with our full line of skin and hair care products featuring manuka honey, aloe vera, coconut oil, hemp seed oil, and more!