One of nature’s best healers is the manuka honey. Honey has a long history of being used for various purposes, including eating purposes and medical purposes. Even for medical purposes, honey has been used to treat various health conditions and treating wounds. Now let’s talk about manuka honey, the origin of manuka honey is the wild manuka tree flowers and the honey consists of antibacterial properties that no other honey does. In this article we would brief you about manuka honey, its health benefits, the ways to use it, and the best kind of manuka honey, let’s look into it.
An introduction to manuka honey:
Originating from the wild manuka plants that are found along New Zealand’s coastlines and hillsides, manuka honey is one of the New Zealand honey, only that it’s quite special. No doubt that it is sweet in taste but the honey type is actually known for its potent healing properties. The antibacterial quality of the honey is given by the hydrogen peroxide that exists in it like all other honey however this specific kind has additional health benefits.
To ensure that the manuka honey that you’re buying consists of all the 3 of the signature compounds, check the product bottle that it is UMF-certified. The 3 signature compounds are namely, methylglyoxal, leptospira, and dihydroxyacetone.
Monofloral and Multifloral:
All kinds of manuka honey are divided into two categories, Monofloral and Multifloral, as the name itself explains, the honey is divided on the basis of the types of flowers pollinated by the bees which make the honey. Manuka honey which falls under the category of Monofloral, is derived from only the manuka plants while the multifloral manuka honey has a blend of various plants pollinated by the bees but has a good amount of the manuka as well.
Since the manuka plant content is high, the Monofloral manuka honey is a better choice in general. Monofloral manuka honey is more expensive compared to multi-floral due to the purity standards and strict quality.
Best manuka honey:
When talking only about manuka honey, the most common question is what kind of manuka honey is best and how to choose them. With a worldwide reputation, it is the premium quality honey in New Zealand. Let us explain which would be ideal for sweetening purposes and what would go better as first aid.
Best for eating:
Manuka honey has a floral and sweet taste, and you can have it in different forms like as dressing over your salad, blending it with tea, adding it to your cheese platter, or spreading it over your toast. You can use it in various recipes to your taste and enjoy them with all the nutritional benefits.
If you’re someone who doesn’t enjoy it too much sweet and would prefer milder-tasting honey, your best option would be a 5+ UMF manuka honey or less than 100+.
With regards to a comparatively strong taste, go for the 10+ or MGO 100+ to enjoy the prominent taste with all the unique properties.
Best for skin:
Among all the skin care luxuries, you’ll find manuka honey as the best skin care luxury. This natural ingredient helps in brightening the skin and keeps your skin supple. You can go through a range of manuka honey skin care products that would be suitable for your skin. Its therapeutic properties are only an addition to all the other benefits.
Best for first aid:
Honey has been used as herbal medicine and by doctors for natural remedies over history. Doctors from various regions all relied on honey during the wars for natural remedies including Greeks, Egyptians, and field doctors. Although little but there exists some medical evidence that manuka honey might just be a little bit special as compared to the other varieties.
Best for anti-viral and immune support:
If you have a healthy immune system, your body will be able to combat infections and foreign bodies throughout the year and not just in winter. You should for products that contain manuka honey as the active ingredient with UMF 10+ or MGO 250+.
You can go for products that consist of propolis, vitamin C, zinc, and other beneficial products that would boost your immune system. You can also find children’s products that consist of manuka honey to keep your child’s immune system strong all year round.
Benefits of manuka honey:
As mentioned before, manuka has long been used over history for medical purposes including enhancing the immune system, and treating burns, wounds, and sores. Manuka honey has been known for its antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties. It is also used for beauty treatments in addition to wound treatment and consumption.
Manuka honey has prominently exceptional healing capabilities as it prevents infection, decreases pain, and encourages tissue regeneration. It provides an ideal wound-healing environment and is even known to reduce the sizes of even non-healing wounds.
Moving on to the GIT benefits, manuka honey helps with problems like diarrhea, constipation, and irregular bowel movements. It is a luxurious ingredient when talking about skincare as it rejuvenates your skin making it glow and is the perfect choice for acne-prone skin.
It inhibits the growth of harmful bacteria that can grow in the oral cavity causing gingivitis and tooth decay, hence promoting oral health. During the cough and cold it can be one of the best natural remedies as it boosts the immune system and speeds up the recovery process. Now summarizing the health benefits of manuka honey, they are as follows:
- Wound treatment
- Immunity boost
- Soothes sore throat
- Supports GIT health
- Supports oral health
- Skin benefits
- Vitality boost
- Combats infections
- Promotes good sleep quality
Ways of using manuka honey:
Yes obviously you can just eat all the sweetness in a single spoon but we would still like to recommend some ways in which you can enjoy the honey that would bring about various benefits for you.
Skincare:
When applied on the skin, the honey’s antibacterial and antimicrobial properties would act leading to soothing and moisturizing the dry skin. In addition to that, a layer of manuka honey can also help treat sore spots, dry patches and other spots on the skin.
Sore throat:
In order to help soothe a sore throat, you can have a spoonful of honey in a glass of warm water or green tea. The anti-inflammatory properties would help in easing discomfort, and reduce inflammation and swelling which would provide some relief.
Sweetening purposes:
As compared to processed sugars, honey is a better option if you’re looking to sweeten your beverages whether they’re tea or coffee. Although a healthy alternative, remember that the food item or beverage would consist of a honey flavor instead of plain sweet.
How to know if you’re buying the real manuka honey:
Whether online or from other sources, when buying manuka honey make sure that you’re buying it from a reputable brand and look for the reviews. Make sure that the product that you’re buying is tested under the government’s guidelines and look for the labels. Labels on the packaging give enough information regarding the product and if you still have doubts, look for the ingredient section on the packaging to make sure there aren’t any additives.
The manuka honey is considered to have the best quality and is therapeutic to the kin, containing a 10+ or higher UMF or 300+ or higher MGO.
Top 4 best manuka honey products on the market
Below we have compiled a list of 2023’s best manuka honey products so you can choose the best one for you!
Manukora MGO 50+ Multifloral Raw Manuka Honey
Let’s start our list with the best Manuka MGO 50+ raw manuka honey. This multi-floral honey is one of the highest-rated raw manuka honey available on the Amazon today.
It has been tested and certified by independent laboratories to be authentic non-GMO pure honey and guaranteed to have an MGO rating of 50+. This means that it has a wide range of health benefits, including high antibacterial properties.
What’s more, is that this product can be traced from hive to hand. You can use the QR code on the back of the product to see the actual lab results when it was certified, and which hive it came from.
Furthermore, this raw honey is gluten-free, making it an excellent substitute for sugar in your daily diet, particularly if you are diabetic or trying to lose weight.
Key features
- Gluten-free
- NON-GMO and 50+ MGO certified
- Fully traceable
- Low price tag
- Multi floral
Comvita Certified UMF 10+ (MGO 263+) Raw Manuka Honey
Next, we have the MGO 263 raw manuka honey from Comvita. Comvita Manuka Honey is a non-GMO Superfood that has been carefully selected from the sustainable Apiaries in New Zealand. It is 100% raw, meaning it is not heated or filtered.
The less heat you apply to honey, the more nutrients and enzymes it contains. Moreover, It received a potent MGO 263+ rating, indicating that its antibacterial effect is quite strong.
This superfood can be mixed into tea, oatmeal, yogurt, or simply eaten with a spoon. You can also use it as a free workout natural energy source or a homemade skin-brightening mask.
Aside from that, this raw honey has many other health benefits, such as daily immunity support, digestive and gut health support, and soothing coughs and sore throats, making it a complete health package for you.
Key features
- Certified UMF 10+ and MGO 263+
- Contains beneficial oligosaccharides and prebiotics
- 100 % raw and unpasteurized
- Provide daily immunity support
- It can be used as a pre-workout
Manuka Health UMF 13+/MGO 400+ Manuka Honey
Looking for authentic raw honey brands that also care about sustainability and the environment? If so, then Manuka health is the one for you. As good as their product is, Manuka Health also is concerned about bees and has pledged to plant 1 million manuka trees by 2025. Besides that, the product itself is rich with flavor and has a smooth texture which can be easily drizzled on the food or added to drinks.
With a UMF rating of 13+ and an MGO value of 400+, this natural honey is the perfect choice for topical application to help treat conditions such as acne and eczema. This raw honey is 100% natural with no additives or preservatives, making it an ideal choice for those who are looking for a safe way to enjoy the benefits of manuka honey in their diet.
Key features
- Multifunctional superfood
- High MGO rating for your everyday wellness
- 100% Authentic raw manuka honey
- Has medicinal properties
- Rich flavor and smooth texter
Wedderspoon K-factor16 Raw Premium Manuka Honey
If you’ve ever looked up premium manuka honey brands, you’ve probably come across the brand name “Wedderspoon”. This raw manuka honey has a delicious flavor, a smooth texture, and numerous health benefits. Wedderspoon Raw Premium Manuka Honey is tested to ensure it has a high k factor (the number associated with the rate of pollen). Their standard is 16+, indicating that their honey contains a higher concentration of this vital pollen.
What’s more is that Wedderspoon honey has numerous medical benefits, including wound healing, oral health improvement, and skin care. Also, there are no MGO levels listed on it, so it’s pretty safe to use on a regular basis.
Key features
- Numerous medical benefits
- Safe for regular use
- Healthy and safe concentrations of pollens
- Wedderspoon has MPI certification
- There are three grades available
The Bottomline:
Honey has been very beneficial for mankind and that too in many ways. It is used for eating purposes, sweetening purposes, health purposes, medical purposes etc. There are different ranges of manuka honey that we have explained very briefly for other purposes and when buying the honey, it is better than you buy from reputable brands and companies. Also, remember to look for the label and ingredient section to make sure that you’re purchasing the best product offered.
Manuka honey has various benefits for you and you should have the best of them for your and your family’s health.
