You may already know that Australian Manuka Honey is up there with the best superfoods. Produced from the blossoms of certain Leptospermum trees, Manuka Honey offers broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against a range of bacterial and yeast pathogens. But what sets this honey apart from all the other wonderful raw honey out there? And how can you use Manuka Honey every day in your daily routine? This article will show you how.
The science behind Manuka honey
Manuka Honey contains additional compounds that other raw honeys simply don’t have. These compounds, namely methylglyoxal (MGO) and dihydroxyacetone (DHA), make Manuka Honey even more beneficial to your health, both internally and for topical use. These special compounds originate from – you guessed it – the nectar of the Manuka flower.
What are the health benefits of Manuka?
Studies have found that Manuka Honey possesses incredible anti-bacterial properties. It is widely used to help cure infections, heal sore throats, aid gingivitis, and improve the digestive system.
The unique and powerful antimicrobial and nutritional properties of Manuka Honey are known to:
- Help with wound care, including burns, ulcers, bites, stings, and skin infections
- Help the digestive tract
- Combat Staph infections (MRSA)
- Boost energy
- Improve sore throats and immunity
- Improve sleep, and
- Be safely used on animals.
Cooking with Manuka
More people are getting “the buzz” and understanding the benefits of substituting honey over sugar. You can use Manuka honey in your cooking the same way you would use other varieties of honey, though for health benefits it’s best consumed in its raw form.
For recipe ideas using honey, please visit our dedicated page on how to enjoy honey at breakfast, lunch, dinner, and anytime in between.
Adding Manuka honey to your skincare routine
Along with all the health benefits of consuming Manuka honey, it’s also highly beneficial for your skin. It can help reduce inflammation and irritation caused by acne on the skin.
Honey from manuka flowers has been shown to have cosmetic benefits, such as increasing the production of collagen, reducing dark spots, and acting as an anti-inflammatory, which may help calm inflammatory skin conditions like rosacea and acne.
Applying Manuka Honey topically can also help skin retain moisture. This makes it a perfect addition to your beauty routine in cold, dry winter months.
Assist digestion and enhance your immunity
Manuka helps to improve your digestion process and enhances immunity. Regular daily consumption of this superfood can prevent you from falling sick.
You can read more about Manuka honey as a natural immunity booster here.
Manuka honey is a natural sleep aid
If you’re struggling with sleep, consider adding a teaspoon of Manuka to your evening cup of herbal tea or milk. Manuka Honey contains high levels of tryptophan, an amino acid that triggers the production of serotonin, which can help with sleep.
A great way to soothe winter coughs and colds
Keeping a jar of high-strength Manuka honey in your medicine cabinet will come in handy over the winter months or the flu season.
A spoonful of Manuka will soothe a sore throat and prevent night-time coughing to give you a better sleep. It coats the throat with its stickiness and soothes inflamed mucus membranes, which helps to alleviate coughs. Its antimicrobial properties help fight viruses and ease the symptoms associated with the common cold.
Are there any side effects of Manuka Honey?
Generally, when consumed in moderation or applied topically, Manuka Honey is safe, gentle, and side-effect-free. However, anyone with honey or bee allergies should avoid Manuka Honey, as it may trigger an allergic reaction.
For our recommendations on each strength of Manuka and how to use it, please check out our Australian Manuka honey strength guide.
Which strength of Manuka is best for everyday use?
MGO 100+ is the perfect addition to everyday cooking. Thanks to its mild strength, it is also our recommendation for daily winter wellness. It contains natural enzymes and antioxidants and is perfect as an additive for foods and drinks, or taken on its own.
Simply have 1 to 2 tablespoons each day of MGO 100+ to reap the digestive, well-being, and immunity-boosting benefits of Manuka Honey.
Australian vs New Zealand Manuka Honey
Leptosperin has been linked to the authentication of Manuka honey and to it’s human health benefits. New research from the the University of the Sunshine Coast shows Leptosperin levels in Australian Manuka were up to nearly three times that found in New Zealand Manuka Honey.
How to find the best Australian Manuka honey
A name that’s synonymous with quality, Australian Beekeepers’ Honey is simply the best pure raw honey in Australia.
To find out more about the benefits of Manuka Honey, we recommend you start with the Australian Manuka Honey Association. We are proud members of the AMHA and are committed to the quality standards and rigorous testing they require to become a member.