Health Benefits of Mānuka Honey

Natural Mānuka honey is special - there is no doubt about it.

Extensive scientific evidence exists to support the natural health benefits of Mānuka honey. For example, components such as hydrogen peroxide give traditional honey its antibiotic quality, which can benefit wound healing and treat some bacterial disorders. However, the unique antibacterial, antiviral, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties of Mānuka honey are what set it apart from other types of honey.

Head over to our blog for more research on the health claims around Mānuka honey as medical-grade honey.

Antibacterial properties

One of the most significant potential Mānuka honey benefits for health is due to its antimicrobial properties, providing protection against bacterial infection. Mānuka honey’s antibacterial properties can help prevent enzymes from breaking down healing proteins, aiding in treating infections. Read our blog about the MGO and UMF rating system if you're unsure which grade of therapeutic Mānuka honey is right for you.

Treat wounds

Traditionally, Māori used the Mānuka bush – also known as the Tea Tree – as a topical treatment for burns and wound care. Today, many families keep Mānuka honey in the medicine cabinet to enhance healing. This is because Mānuka honey provides a protective barrier that helps maintain a moist wound environment and prevents the dressing from sticking to the wound. Mānuka’s antibacterial activity then helps inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria.

Some users suffering from mild to moderate burns and wounds have found applying Mānuka honey topically to the wound site helps to reduce pain. Mānuka’s anti-inflammatory effects help with wound healing and tissue regeneration. Learn more about how to apply Mānuka to cuts and wounds here.

Improve oral health

Calcium, zinc, and phosphorus are present in genuine Mānuka honey. Combining these minerals with honey’s antimicrobial activity can help to reduce harmful oral bacteria. As a result, adding Mānuka honey to warm water and using it as a mouthwash may cause a significant reduction in plaque, Gingivitis (gum inflammation), and Periodontal disease (gum disease).

Promote gut and digestive health

Many of our customers consume Mānuka honey to help support the digestive system and promote gut health. The natural antibiotic activity found in authentic Mānuka honey can help to kill germs and protect against bacteria-related digestive disorders. Unlike antibiotics, Mānuka honey doesn't appear to lead to resistant bacteria. Therefore, medical-grade Mānuka honey may used as an alternative treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections. These disorders include Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), low stomach acid, and acid reflux.

Treat stomach ulcers

Natural health practitioners often use medical-grade Mānuka honey to attack the bacteria responsible for causing stomach and gastric ulcers, speeding up the healing process.

Soothe sore throats

Mānuka honey’s potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties can help to reduce inflammation and swelling. Our Mānuka honey may also help prevent sore throat-causing bacterial infections such as Strep throat and provide symptomatic relief in upper respiratory tract infections. Many customers rely on Mānuka honey’s effectiveness in soothing sore throats and coughs. Find out more about using Mānuka as a cough medicine remedy here.

Alleviate acne and skin conditions

People with sensitive skin tend to be at a higher risk of developing Staphylococcus aureus (staph) or other topical skin infections. Mānuka honey’s natural antibacterial effects can help provide relief.

Our customers use Mānuka honey to create their own DIY beauty treatments to treat acne, eczema, psoriasis, and milia. The antioxidants in Mānuka honey fight free radicals in the skin, support detoxification, and help with tissue regeneration while improving skin tone and texture.

Support your immune system

Mānuka honey contains a compound called methylglyoxal (MGO). The higher the concentration of MGO in Mānuka honey, the more potent it is. Its powerful antiviral properties may also stimulate immune cells, preparing the immune system to fight infection. Mānuka honey may help reduce discomfort associated with cold symptoms and relieve seasonal allergies. Our customers take Mānuka honey daily to boost winter well-being and support a healthy immune system.

Use it as a natural energy booster

Our customers rave about the natural energy boost they experience when consuming Mānuka honey. Even sports stars like Novak Djokovic add Mānuka honey to their sporting regime! This superfood alternative helps you get the most out of your workouts or mid-afternoon slumps and balances blood sugar levels. Learn more about using Mānuka for extra energy here.

Add it to drinks as a natural sweetener

Mānuka honey health benefits extend beyond treating diseases, wound infections, skin conditions, and colds. Mānuka also makes an excellent natural sweetener for food and drinks. To experience the maximum health benefits of Mānuka honey, include about one to two tablespoons in your daily diet. Cook with it or eat it raw, add Mānuka honey to baked dishes, stir it into your hot tea, or just eat it straight off the spoon! Check out our Mānuka honey recipes for inspiration.

Is Mānuka honey safe?

Possible side effects of Mānuka honey

Like most foods, Mānuka honey can be safely enjoyed in moderation. However, it may trigger an allergic reaction if you have a bee or honey allergy. In addition, its high sugar content means that if you have diabetes, you may need to monitor your intake, as Mānuka honey can affect blood sugar levels. Any raw honey isn’t recommended for children under one year of age due to the risk of botulism. Mānuka honey may also interact with certain chemotherapy drugs and other medicines. Consult your healthcare provider if you’re unsure.

Benefits of purchasing Mānuka honey

Mānuka - sourced with happiness:

We source the purest Mānuka honey from the most remote parts of New Zealand. Our beekeepers hike, drive, or helicopter to remote and isolated locations to reach our honey bees’ hives.

The result is raw, non-GMO, unpasteurized Mānuka honey we source, extract, and pack ourselves to ensure quality and transparency. Shop our honey products USA-wide today.

Trusted and traced from the hive to your home.

We can track each honey jar right back to its hive and location. When buying Mānuka honey from us, you’ll see your unique batch information printed on the label, displaying its authenticity. You can also see the independent testing and Certified UMF (Unique Mānuka Factor) results for that jar of honey. The UMF® Grading System is an independent association and industry best practice in New Zealand for honey producers. It means we are audited to ensure we don’t just say our product meets the rating number you are buying — it does. To find out more about our grading systems, click here.