Are Manuka Honey Benefits Different Than Regular Honey?

Manuka honey is made in New Zealand and Australia by bees pollinating the Leptospermum scoparium bush. This honey is known to have wound infection healing powers. Manuka honey benefits have been known for a long time.

Manuka honey has been used since ancient times to treat various health conditions. In the late 19th century, researchers found that manuka honey has natural antibacterial qualities.

It helps protect the body against any damage caused by bacteria and boosts special cells that help repair tissue damaged by infection. Manuka honey also has anti-inflammatory properties and can ease wound pain.

Let’s read about manuka honey’s benefits in detail.

Manuka Honey Health Benefits

Here are some science-backed manuka honey benefits.

Aid Wound Healing

Since old times honey has been used to treat sores, burns, wounds, and boils. In 2007 manuka honey was approved by the US FDA as a great wound treatment option. 

Honey contains antioxidant and antibacterial properties while maintaining a moist wound environment and a protective barrier that prevents microbial infections in the wound.

There have been multiple studies reporting that manuka honey can boost tissue regeneration and decrease pain in patients suffering from burns. 

Manuka honey also helps in healing diabetic ulcers and wound infections, which are caused by antibiotic-resistant strains.

Promote Oral Health

The key to keep your gums healthy and avoid tooth decay is minimizing bad oral bacteria that can cause plaque formation. It is important not to wipe oral bacteria, which are necessary to keep your mouth healthy. 

Studies show that raw manuka honey attacks harmful oral bacteria that can cause plaque, tooth decay, and gum inflammation. However, the idea of consuming honey for better oral health may sound counterintuitive, as eating sweets is linked to cavities or tooth decay.

Soothe a Sore Throat

If you have been struggling with a sore throat, then manuka honey can help in providing some relief. It has antibacterial and antiviral properties, which reduce inflammation and also kills bacteria that cause pain.

Manuka honey benefits by coating the thin inner lining of your throat, which gives a soothing effect. It also reduces harmful oral bacteria mucositis, which is a result of chemotherapy and radiation. Mucositis caused painful ulceration and inflammation on the mucous membrane lining the digestive tract and esophagus.

Help Prevent Gastric Ulcers

Stomach ulcers are one of the common illnesses in humans. These sores form on the inside lining of the stomach, which results in nausea, stomach pain, and bloating.

A bacteria called H. pylori is responsible for the majority of gastric ulcers. According to research, manuka honey helps to treat gastric ulcers, which H.pylori causes. Gastric ulcers are also caused by alcohol consumption. 

In a study done on mice, manuka honey helps in preventing gastric ulcers caused by alcohol consumption. (source)

Improve Digestive Symptoms

IBS is another common digestive disorder in most humans. It is associated with symptoms like diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, and irregular bowel movement. 

Researchers have found that regular consumption of manuka honey helps to decrease all these symptoms. Manuka honey benefits by improving the antioxidant status and reducing inflammation.

It also attacks Clostridium difficile, a bacterial infection causing bowel inflammation and severe diarrhea. C.diff is most commonly treated with antibiotics. However, in a recent study, it was found that honey is effective in treating c.diff strains. 

May Treat Symptoms of Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis is a disorder that affects the lungs, digestive system, and other organs. This disease affects cells in our body responsible for producing mucus and making it abnormally sticky and thick. This mucus clogs ducts and airways, making it difficult to breathe. 

Upper respiratory infections are quite common in people suffering from cystic fibrosis. Manuka honey is known to fight bacteria that cause upper respiratory infections.

Treat Acne

Acne is usually caused due to hormonal changes in the body. However, sometimes acne can also be a reaction to poor diet or clogged pores. The antimicrobial properties of manuka honey, when used in combination with a low pH product, helps to fight acne. 

Manuka honey also keeps your skin clear of any bacteria, which can expedite the acne healing process. It also helps to decrease inflammation caused by acne.

Manuka Honey Side Effects:

If you have any of the following conditions, consult with a doctor before consuming manuka honey:

• Diabetes- People who have diabetes must consult with their doctor before consuming any type of honey. Honey is high in sugar levels; therefore, it may affect the blood sugar levels of a diabetic person. 
• Honey/bee allergy- anyone with allergic issues associated with bees or honey can show allergic reactions to manuka honey.
• Infants- according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, giving honey to infants is not recommended due to the risk of infant botulism, a type of foodborne illness. 

What to look for when buying Manuka honey?

Manuka honey is available widely both offline and online. When you go to buy manuka honey, it is important to know what exactly you are buying as all manuka honey is not the same.

Packaging labeled as “Active Manuka Honey” is often misleading. This term refers to the antibacterial effects produced by hydrogen peroxide. Such antibacterial effects can be found in all types of honey. 

To guarantee the healing properties unique to manuka honey, look for “non-peroxide antibacterial activity” or check the UMF rating to measure the amount of NPA found in honey. Always stick to brands of manuka honey that contain MGO, which is a unique antibacterial factory. The higher the MGO, the better. 

Final Words:

Manuka honey has many health benefits. It is a unique type of honey and has the most noticeable attribute of wound management and healing. Manuka honey also has antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties, which help to treat various ailments like gastric ulcers, IBS, upper respiratory infections, and periodontal disease.

All things considered, manuka honey is an effective treatment to accelerate the healing process when used in combination with other conventional therapies.