The Amazing, Healing Benefits of Manuka Honey

Today, there are over 250 types of honey available and Manuka honey has been generating the most buzz for its astonishing healing benefits that you might not necessarily find in other honey varieties.

Manuka honey is found in New Zealand anf produced By bees that pollinate the native manuka bush. Advocates say how effective it is at treating wound infections and other health conditions.

Manuka honey has been shown to be more potent and health-boosting because of its higher methylglyoxal (MG) concentration.

Why Manuka Honey Is Life Changing

Manuka honey can help soothe sore throats, protect your body against the common cold and assist in relieving sinus infections so using this type of honey may be a wise decision on your part.

Manuka honey’s antioxidant content provides protection against tissue damage by neutralizing free radicals. It also serves to treat ear, eye and sinus infections, and even diabetes.

The antioxidants in Manuka honey can assist with eliminating skin blemishes and spot treatments to help scars fade and brighten up your skin complexion naturally.

It has been used to treat wounds, burns, sores and boils for centuries.

If you’re suffering from acne, Manuka honey is also great for your skin.

Manuka honey can provide anti-inflammatory effects as well as lessen irritation Some studies have also shown that it can even heal eczema-affected skin. Lastly, Manuka honey can also be helpful during a pregnancy, since it can serve as a remedy for morning sickness or nausea.

It can also...

• Help keep sore throats at bay
• Lessen allergic reactions
• Potentially relieve heartburn, which is common during pregnancy
• Improves digestive system
• has been used to treat wounds, burns, sores and boils
• Promotes good oral health.
• Treats Acne
• Helps prevent gastric ulcers.
• Soothe a sore throat
• Treats symptoms of cystic fibrosis

The Appearance and Quality of Manuka Honey

The physical appearance of Manuka honey is different from those of raw and regular honey. Manuka honey varies from a light amber (light brownish yellow), to a medium-amber shade

It doesn’t contain blends of other honey types, making the bio-active compounds in it fairly consistent. Meanwhile, both raw and regular honey are made by bees that source nectar from any plant.

Manuka honey has a thick texture and has a gel-like consistency under normal conditions. If stirred, or mixed, it becomes less viscous, although the consistency will eventually return to its usual state. Manuka honey can also form coarse crystals too, and has a slow crystallization time.

Most honey brands may pasteurize and filter their honey. During this process they remove the wax and other important components like propolis and bee pollen may be eliminated as well, if the filter used is very fine. It is also available in liquid or solid (creamed) form.

Manuka honey thats jarred straight from the hive is a better option. Aside from antioxidants, high grade-quality Manuka honey contains amino acids, B vitamins and minerals like calcium, iron, copper, potassium, sodium and zinc.

Avoid consuming regular honey, since it’s most often pasteurized to kill yeast and prevent fermentation. However, in doing so, vitamins and enzymes are eliminated, therefore lowering the honey’s nutritional content.

In addition, regular store brought honey also contain antibiotics and artificial sweeteners like high-fructose corn syrup (HCFS) which can definitely damage your health in the long run.

Various Uses & Medicinal Properties

The main medical use for manuka honey is on topically (on top of wounds). It is most generally used for treating burns and minor wounds.

Manuka honey may also improve oral health by reducing the amount of oral pathogens found in plaque. It can also work wonders for the digestive system, as it can relieve bloating, mild digestive upsets, indigestion or gastric reflux, and may even help heal stomach ulcers and irritable bowel syndrome.

Manuka honey is also marketed for use in many other conditions. These include long time ancient remedy uses:

• As cold/ sore throat healer
• In coffee or tea
• On the face as a mask
• In the hair as a moisturizing conditioner treatment for dry, brittle hair.
• Preventing and treating cancer
• Reducing high cholesterol
• Reducing systemic inflammation
• Treating diabetes
• Treating eye, ear, and sinus infections
• Treating gastrointestinal problems
• On the face as a mask
• For cuts or bruises
• Its Anti inflammatory
• In the hair as a moisturizing conditioner treatment for dry, brittle hair

Manuka Honey Fun Facts

In case you didn't know, hydrogen peroxide is produced by honey. Its what gives honey its antibiotic quality.

However, some types of honey, including manuka honey, have other components with antibacterial qualities.

The rating used is called UMF, which stands for the Unique Manuka Factor.

Look out for the UMF label when purchasing, this measures the amount of non-peroxide activity (NPA) in the honey. This rating is regulated by the Unique Manuka Factor Honey Association (UMFHA) based out of New Zealand. A higher number on the label usually indicates that the honey is more pure.