Manuka Honey Health Benefits, Properties, and Uses

Honey is one of nature’s most amazing foods. Its richness in taste and long-term stability in storage is minor compared to the incredible health and medicinal benefits found in all forms of honey, especially Manuka honey.¹
 
Real honey cannot be artificially made. It’s only prepared by nature’s remarkable insect, the honey bee. It’s calculated that it takes 60,000 honeybees visiting over 2 million flowers to extract enough nectar to make 1 pound of honey. They partially process the nectar in their digestive tract then expel it as a semi-liquid form into a comb in their hive. This is the bees’ long-term food source and we value it as honey. ²
 
Manuka honey comes from New Zealand and is made by bees that capture nectar from the Manuka bush which is a known medicinal plant. It is more expensive than other forms of commercial honey due to its unique Manuka honey benefits. Manuka honey is clearly marketed with a UMF rating which dictates its strength. Manuka honey needs a UMF5 rating to be health beneficial. UMF ratings for therapeutic consumptions are:

• 0-4 Non-therapeutic
• 4-9 Similar properties to other commercial honey
• 10-14 Therapeutic and supports natural healing
• 15+ Highly therapeutic and should not be taken more than 1 teaspoon dosage

Care must be taken when purchasing Manuka honey to ensure it’s properly manufactured and rated. There are false brands being offered. To be sure of quality and purity, look on the container for: 

• A UMF trademark clearly labeled
• A New Zealand UMF licensed company
• The company’s name and license number
• A UMF number rating of 5-16+

If the honey product label doesn’t display any of these markings, it’s not genuine and won’t provide the high level of Manuka honey benefits. ¹
 
Manuka Honey Health Uses and Health Benefits
 
Most commercial bee honey is high in amino acids, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, B vitamins, sodium, zinc, magnesium, manganese and iron. Manuka honey benefits include having a nutritional profile that is 4 times higher than all other forms of honey, including enzymes that create natural hydrogen peroxide, methylglyoxal and dihydroxyacetone that work as antibacterials and antimicrobials. This medicinal trilogy makes what’s called the Unique Manuka Factor (UMF). ¹
 
Manuka honey uses include treatment for the following conditions:

• Helicobacter Pylori (H-Pylori) - H-Pylori is a naturally-occurring bacteria in the stomach. The antibacterial and antimicrobial properties in Manuka honey help to control the H-Pylori bacterium.
• Acne - Using Manuka honey acne treatment can help control skin bacteria that clogs pores.
• Angular Cheilitis - Cracking around the corners of the mouth and lips is often the result of a bacterial growth called angular cheilitis. Manuka honey is recommended as a treatment for angular cheilitis.
• Mastitis - Mastitis is inflammation of breast tissue often caused by a bacterial infection. Manuka honey’s antibacterial effect is a known treatment for mastitis.
• Staph Infection - Infections by the staphylococcus bacteria are common, especially in the nose and throat. Consuming Manuka honey is highly effective in killing staph infections.
• Epidermolysis Bullosa - Epidermolysis Bullosa is an inherited connective tissue disease that causes skin blisters between the dermis and epidermis. Newborns are especially susceptible to EB. Applying Manuka honey directly on the blisters is an effective home remedy.

Manuka Honey Side Effects and Precautions
 
It’s important not to take too high a quantity of highly-rated UMF Manuka honey. It is very high in fructose and can leave people in a sugar-induced distress. People taking insulin should be especially careful of potential Manuka honey side effects. ²
 
People with allergies to bee stings should consult their doctor before taking Manuka honey due to potential Manuka honey side effects. ¹

References

1. https://draxe.com/manuka-honey-benefits-uses/
2. http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/10/20/health-benefits-honey.aspx