Why manuka honey is the newest must-have for your medicine cabinet
By Melissa Smith, CNP
New Zealand has given the world some really great things: Lord of The Rings, All Blacks rugby, and manuka honey.
The manuka tree, more commonly known as the tea tree, is a flowering plant native to New Zealand and Australia. Made by bees that have consumed the manuka tree’s nectar, manuka honey harnesses the plant’s medicinal qualities and turns them into a palatable, saccharine substance.
Interested in taking it for a test run? Try out these tips.
1. THE HEAL DEAL
Due to its rich antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, manuka honey makes a great topical treatment and healing agent for wounds. The Jundishapur Journal of Natural Pharmaceutical Products notes that the substance has even been used to prevent infection in patients suffering from venous ulcers.
2. SOOTHE YOUR STOMACH
Because of its anti-inflammatory and prebiotic properties, manuka honey is great for improving your overall gut health. It helps to reduce the inflammation from digestive disorders, as well as restore and nurture the gut’s good bacteria. This is especially great news for anyone suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
3. Improve Immunity
A spoonful of manuka honey a day may keep the doctor away. When you have a bad case of the flu, try eating a spoonful to boost to your immune system, improve your healing process and soothe sore throats. It has also been shown to stop the growth of strep bacteria in its tracks.
4. STIFLE THAT SNEEZE
Moreover, manuka honey may be able to stop those seasonal sniffles. According to one study, seasonal allergy sufferers show remarkably improved symptoms—and a reduced need for antihistamine products—with regular use of this substance.
5. MAKE BEAUTY A BREEZE
Slather manuka honey on your face for a nutrient-dense, enzyme-rich facial. This can actually improve skin tone and texture, aid in fighting acne and other skin infections and add moisture.
However, before you go shopping for some manuka honey of your own, there are a couple key things you must know to ensure you get the best quality product possible.
Firstly, manuka honey is graded by the UMF (Unique Manuka Factor) grading system. If you do not see the UMF label on the container, it may not be genuine manuka honey. Additionally, the number on the UMF label represents the purity and quality of the honey. It ranges from four to 26, with 26 being the highest quality. The higher the grade, the higher the price. For regular day-to-day use, a lower to mid-range grade is more economical and still very beneficial.
One thing’s for sure: this cure-all substance is certainly a sweet one!
