Manuka Honey – A Sweet Replacement For Medicine

Posted by AnnaHunter on September 16th, 2019

Honey has long been used as an alternative treatment for different conditions since ancient times. Its natural antibacterial properties can prevent and protect you from damage that is caused by bacteria. Its anti-inflammatory property can also help ease any symptoms of inflammation and pain. But the potency of the effects of the medicinal benefits of honey will greatly depend on the type of honey that you will use. As of now, the best manuka honey products are selling well in the market because of their effectiveness when it comes to being a medicinal alternative. 

What is manuka honey? 

Manuka honey is exclusively made in New Zealand where the honey is made by bees that pollinates the manuka bush. Most honey variants have hydrogen peroxide which gives honey its antibiotic property. Manuka honey is not only rich in hydrogen peroxide but it also has a major antibacterial component called methylglyoxal. Methlyglyoxal can also be found in other types of honey but they are usually in small quantities. In manuka honey, you get a very high concentration of methylglyoxal because of dihydroxyacetone, a compound that is found in the nectar of manuka flowers. The higher the concentration, the stronger the antibiotic property – this is why manuka honey stands out among other variants. 

What are the benefits of using manuka honey? 

· Best treatment for minor wounds and burns

· Reducing and managing pain and inflammation

· Treatment for ear, eye, and sinus infections

· Treatment for high cholesterol and diabetes

· Treatment for gastrointestinal problems

· Prevention and treatment of cancer

· Promotion of tissue healing

• Best manuka honey for acne

· Counteracts fatigue and heartburn

 How to choose the best manuka honey 

The standard when it comes to manuka honey is the UMF rate. Manuka honey producers have their own scale for rating the potency of manuka honey which is the UMF or unique manuka factor. Always look for this in the label of the product because it tells you how much concentration of methylglyoxal you are getting. A UMF rate of 10 is considered to be strong enough if you want to use manuka honey for therapeutic and medicinal purposes. Take note that there are some products that are medical-grade manuka honey meaning they are sterilized and prepared especially for medicinal purposes. 

Where to get manuka honey

Because this honey is made exclusively in New Zealand, it is best to order them online from a New Zealand provider that can ship their products to your country. You may find them in local health stores but they would probably have a higher price tag compared to buying the products form the supplier itself. If the product does not come from New Zealand or does not have a UMF rating, you may be looking at a fake or less potent product. Make sure to take the time to read reviews and do some research to ensure that you are purchasing the real thing.