• Benefits of Mānuka Honey

Benefits of Mānuka Honey

Discover the Many Benefits of Mānuka Honey

Mānuka honey is a dark-coloured honey from bees pollinating the prickly-leaved Mānuka myrtle bush or tree, a plant native to New Zealand. Beyond offering all the numerous health advantages of regular honey, Mānuka honey contains specific active compounds providing additional antimicrobial properties.

The potential health benefits of Mānuka honey include helping with wound healing thanks to claimed anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant protection, soothing sore throats, and probiotic support for gut health. In addition, the product may offer antiviral and antibacterial benefits, helping to inhibit flu, shingles and other viruses and potentially prevent and treat bacterial infections.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is UMF in Mānuka honey?

To ensure you're purchasing genuine Mānuka honey, look for the Unique Mānuka Factor (UMF) mark on the label. This UMF mark guarantees that the product is genuine and from licensed beekeepers and manufacturers.

The UMF Honey Association, the official body overseeing the UMF trademark, provides the rating. Auditors from the association independently analyse Mānuka honey samples to ensure authenticity and guarantee quality. These scientists conduct standardised testing across all regions selling UMF-rated Mānuka honey products.

  • What is MGO in Mānuka honey?

How does Mānuka honey's UMF vs its MGO content relate?

Mānuka honey's main antibacterial compound is methylglyoxal (MGO). This component is created during a natural conversion of dihydroxyacetone (DHA), also found in Mānuka flower nectar. Together, these compounds' unique concentrations, or signatures, indicate the honey's quality and purity.

Look on the label for UMF numbers such as 10+ or 24+. These numerals represent the level of MGO and DHA present in the product. The higher the level, the higher the concentration of these healthful compounds and the purer and more effective and beneficial the honey. Jars classified as 24+ can be considered 'liquid gold'.

UMF Honey is tested and verified for all 3 active compounds, Methylglyoxal, dihydroxyacetone and leptosperin

Mgo honey measures on the Methylglyoxal content.

  • Can you use Mānuka honey on your skin?

Yes. Mānuka benefits for your skin are numerous. For example, the honey may help balance pH levels, exfoliate, moisturise your skin, and may also help ease acne-related inflammation.

Applying the product to your skin can enhance your skin's texture and appearance and help protect your skin from bacteria that may cause acne and other skin infections. In addition, Mānuka honey may help minimise wrinkles and fine lines, reducing the visible signs of ageing.

Mānuka honey is also simple to use. As it tends to retain its antibacterial properties even when diluted, you can use it with water as a facial cleanser or apply it as is and leave it on your skin for 20-minutes as a rejuvenating face mask.

  • Why is Mānuka honey so expensive?

There are several reasons why Mānuka honey can cost a little or even a lot more, depending on its UMF grading.

Most importantly, the honey is mainly available from one place in the world - New Zealand, making production more limited.

In addition, Mānuka honey has only a small harvesting window since trees are vulnerable to extreme weather and hives at high altitudes. Moreover, these beehives are challenging to reach, except by helicopter. Hence, due to its relative scarcity and more challenging and costly production, this remarkable honey tends to be more expensive than regular honey.

Moreover, beyond its rarity, analysts grade each jar of Mānuka honey for quality and purity levels, unlike other honey. This grading means you know the potency of your pot and can rely on trusted quality assurances. Generally, the higher the MGO content, the higher the price.

However, you can be confident that every cent you spend on your jar of Mānuka honey offers exceptional value for money: genuine, delicious, and health-supporting.