Manuka Honey.

Manuka honey is honey which has been made by bees from nectar collected from the flowers of the manuka bush which is found in New Zealand. Manuka honey from New Zealand is sometimes called Leptospermum honey after the botanical name leptospermum scoparium of the manuka plant.

The manuka plant is also referred to as “Tea Tree”. It is said that Captain Cook used the leaves of this tree to make tea – and hence the name. The manuka honey is darker in color and has a good taste and flavor.

Manuka Honey Benefits.

picture of manuka honey.

The health benefits of manuka honey are more pronounced than other types of honey because of the more potent medicinal properties of manuka plant. Read benefits of honey to know how manuka honey benefits you more potentially.

• This “tea tree” is noted for its antibacterial and antifungal properties and the manuka extract is used in making disinfectants. The health benefits of manuka honey are derived from these extra properties from the manuka tree and the other normally present benefits of honey, make manuka honey more beneficial than the other types of honey. Manuka honey uses therefore, are increasing.
• Its advantage over other types of honey is its antibacterial and antifungal properties which are more powerful than the other honeys. As a result of manuka honey healing properties, the results of dressing a wound with application of manuka honey are better and yield quicker results. Uses of manuka honey for wounds is a gaining popularity among the medical fraternity.
• Manuka honey benefits on skin are more pronounced than other types of honey. Manuka honey benefits in treating eczema is being advocated. Manuka honey skin creams and manuka honey soaps are being used for a better skin complexion. In treating Acne manuka honey is being widely used as a local application as well as in foods.
• Manuka honey for acid reflux is one of the better known manuka honey properties. Because of active antibacterial property of manuka honey, H. pylori treatment also has manuka honey as a supplementary addition.
• As mentioned in benefits of honey, manuka honey benefits on cancer are being looked at more favorably due to conclusions of studies.

Picture of manuka plant.

Unique manuka factor or UMF manuka honey is a classification on a label and is a measure of the antibacterial potency of the honey. Grades such as +10 or +20  are allotted according to the antibacterial potency of that particular honey batch.

A look at the label of the honey jar will show you the UMF grade of that honey and will help you choose your honey well especially when you are buying for antiseptic purposes. You may therefore find manuka honey umf10 or manuka honeyumf15 or manuka honey umf25 and so forth.

Choose manuka honey  which has a UMF of over +10. In western countries manuka honey is approved by the respective FDAs to be used in dressing wounds. However, its other benefits of honey are on par with the other types of honey. Organic Raw Manuka Honey would be the best honey to buy.

Related posts:

1. Clover Honey and its Benefits.
2. 10 Benefits of Honey.
3. How to Choose Honey.
4. Raw Honey.
5. Honey and its Composition.
6. Honey and Cinnamon.
7. Cinnamon – Health Benefits.
8. Green Tea Benefits on Cancer.