Manuka honey is a natural ointment for all types of wounds. It’s been praised as a go-to germ fighter in an era when conventional antibiotics aren’t working. Manuka honey supporters also claim that it can help with everything from acne to sinus problems.
Manuka honey has only been used as a traditional treatment for a short time. It gets its name from the New Zealand scrub plant that produces it. It was brought to the area by European honey bees in the early 1800s. Honey produced by bees pollinating this plant is more potent than honey produced by regular honey bees. This is due to the fact that it contains a higher proportion of methylglyoxal (MGO).
Raw honey has been linked to health advantages when it comes to superfoods. Manuka honey isn’t raw, but it is specialized. It’s antibacterial and resistant to bacteria meaning that bacteria should not be able to build up a tolerance to its antibacterial benefits.
Benefits of Manuka Honey
Manuka honey is said to be effective for treating everything from a sore throat to clearing up blemishes on your skin.
Other purported benefits of honey include:
- Healing cuts and scrapes
- Clearing infections
- Easing stomach aches
- Improving digestion
- Boosting the immune system
- Providing energy
Unlike most alternative treatments, there’s scientific evidence to support the healing benefits of Manuka honey. These benefits include:
Healing wounds
Manuka honey, like other honeys, can aid in the healing of wounds. Honey is acidic in all forms, with a pH ranging from 3.2 to 4.5. Honey’s acidic characteristics have been demonstrated to aid with healing.
Acidity also inhibits enzymes that help the body heal itself by breaking down proteins and peptides. Honey’s high sugar content also aids in the healing of wounds.
Honey has a low moisture content, therefore it pulls fluid from a wound. This aids in the removal of waste and accelerates the healing process. Honey also absorbs water from invading bacteria’s cells. Water is required for bacteria to grow and survive. Invading bacteria will be killed by sucking the water out of them.
Antiviral properties
Throughout history, several types of honey have been employed as natural antibiotics. Honey’s ability to fight germs has recently been identified by researchers to be due to hydrogen peroxide created by a bee enzyme.
Manuka honey goes a step further by using a component called MGO to combat microorganisms. This chemical, which may be found in the nectar of various Manuka plants, aids in the healing of both minor and chronic wounds.
As a result, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Manuka honey-infused bandages for both over-the-counter and prescription use.
The higher the MGO content, the more antiviral and antibacterial capabilities the honey has.
Antibacterial properties
Dozens of species of bacteria are susceptible to Manuka honey, including Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus. Manuka also appears to be effective against Clostridium difficile, a difficult to treat organism often spread in healthcare settings.
Researchers are particularly interested in the fact that Manuka honey appears to attack infections that form a biofilm, or a thin, slippery layer of bacteria. This is because an infection is deemed untreatable once it has created a biofilm.
To date, there are no reports of microbial resistance to honey. This shows it could be effective against antibiotic-resistant bacteria and long-term wound infections that do not respond to standard antibiotic therapy. As a result, honey is regarded as a last-resort defense against infection.
Manuka honey manufacturers label their product with a unique Manuka factor (UMF) rating. This number describes the levels of MGO and a precursor, dihydroxyacetone.
The range for UMF scoring is as follows:
- 0 to 4: an undetectable amount is present
- 5 to 9: low levels are present
- 10 to 15: useful levels are present
- 16: superior, high-grade levels are present
The higher the UMF number, the more of these chemicals are present. Use a Manuka honey with a high UMF to gain the most benefit.
Skin Care
Manuka honey may help to minimize acne-related inflammation and irritation. Apply Manuka honey directly to the skin to achieve this. Make sure to apply a thin layer of honey to the affected region.
You should leave this mask on for at least 15 minutes. You may have better results if you leave the mask on for one hour or more.
Digestion and Immunology
You should consume 1 to 2 tablespoons of Manuka honey every day to gain the digestive advantages. You can eat it on its own or combine it with other foods.
If you want to incorporate Manuka honey into your diet, try spreading it on whole-grain toast or mixing it into yogurt. Tea lovers can also add a teaspoon to their first cup of the day.
Take 1/2 to 1 tablespoon of Manuka honey every day if you have a sore throat or just want to be proactive. If you’re not sick, this could help strengthen your immune system and keep you from getting sick. It can help relieve the symptoms of a sore throat if you already have one.
Wound Care
Manuka honey may be used to treat small scrapes and cuts. Cuts that are severe or deep should be evaluated by your doctor, since sutures or other antimicrobial treatment may be required.
You should be able to figure out how much honey you’ll need by looking at how much fluid is pouring from the wound. You should apply extra honey to dress the area if there is a lot of leakage.
Apply the honey to a bandage to accomplish this. The bandage should then be applied to the wound. Honey should not be applied directly to the wound.
It’s also possible that you’ll have to replace the bandage and apply honey more regularly. This is due to the fact that significant leaking dilutes the honey and reduces its effectiveness.
Using a sealed or waterproof dressing to keep the honey from spreading outside of the wrapped area may be beneficial.
Talk to Your Doctor or Holistic Practitioner
Manuka honey is generally considered safe to consume by most individuals. In most cases, there is no limit to how much Manuka honey you can consume. If you have diabetes, however, consult your doctor before incorporating Manuka honey into your daily routine. Manuka honey, like other honeys, has a lot of sugar. Your blood sugar levels may rise as a result of this.
Some scientists are also debating whether Manuka honey hinders the healing of chronic wounds in diabetics. This is because MGO is harmful to live cells when taken alone. However, there have been multiple instances of Manuka honey being effective in the healing of chronic wounds. However, more research is required.
Consult your doctor if you’re allergic to other forms of honey. You will almost certainly develop an allergic reaction if you use Manuka honey.