Meet Your New Bestfriend, Manuka Honey

You might know honey as the deliciously sweet spread that you drizzle over all of your breakfast, but did you know that a specific honey variety has un-BEE-lievable benefits?

Manuka Honey, which is derived from the nectar of Manuka trees, is known for its healing power and potency. With its natural and powerful qualities this sticky superfood makes for a unique and amazing ingredient not just in food, but in skincare too (pause for reaction from crowd). 

Manuka Honey Benefits

For many years honey has had a reputation for fighting infections due to the ingredient hydrogen peroxide, which is made naturally in honey by an enzyme called glucose oxidase. What makes Manuka honey so unique is the addition of methylglyoxal (shortened to MG), which also gives it antibacterial powers - it really is like liquid gold!

Rejuvenating Skin

In some instances, Manuka honey has been shown to have the ability to balance your skin's pH level and help remove dead skin cells. Because of the anti-inflammatory properties, Manuka honey has been shown to reduce skin inflammation brought on by acne. It’s a BIG yes from us! 

Boosts the immune system

Manuka Honey has also been shown to provide support for the body’s respiratory and immune system. So next time you feel a cold coming on, load up on Manuka honey as well as your other go-to’s like oranges (naturally high in Vitamin C), and see if you notice a difference. 

Now that winter is here, Manuka honey can be one of the best natural remedies to help combat colds and flus. 

Can help to soothe a sore throat

Manuka honey has high viscosity which helps create a protective barrier against pathogens. Melt a teaspoon down and pop it to the back of your throat, or try a Manuka honey lozenge if you feel a  sore throat coming on.

Manuka Honey Products

Brighten and hydrate your skin with Antipodes Manuka Honey Day Cream. The powerhouse ingredient is combined with natural antibacterial properties which help to address blemishes and work as a natural humectant, trapping moisture within the skin.

Manuka honey can also support lip hydration - leaving you with a plumper pout. The Clean & Pure Manuka Honey Lip Balm contains a combination of manuka honey, Western Australian beeswax and extra virgin olive oil. This everyday essential naturally moisturises and nourishes the skin on your lips. Trust us when we say you won’t regret investing in this beautiful balm. 

How To Use Manuka Honey

Unsure about whether you’re ready to add Manuka honey to your beauty routine? One jar of Manuka honey can still go a long way in the kitchen. Here’s our top tips on how to use Manuka honey in your cooking:

• Drizzle over smoothie bowls, porridge, or granola
• Add a spoon full to hot beverages such as herbal tea for a natural sweetener
• Stir a spoonful into yoghurt
• Mix into a homemade salad dressing
• Enjoy a spoonful on it’s own
• Add to toast with peanut butter or almond butter (this comb is super yummy!)
• Pour over warm pancakes or waffles
• Stir into smoothies
• Mix with orange or lemon juice to use as a golden glaze for roasted vegetables such as sweet potato, parsnip and carrots
• Mix in with stir fried vegetables
• Glaze freshly baked muffins or banana bread

Manuka Honey Ratings

Manuka honey has a rating system called 'UMF' which stands for 'Unique Manuka Factor' and it can range anywhere from 5+ to 20+. There is also another rating system called 'MGO' which stands for 'Methylglyoxal content'. The labelling on Manuka honey products can be confusing, but we are here to break it down for you! In short, the higher the number, the stronger the grade of honey, and the strongest grades are the most highly antibacterial. Middle-grade Manuka honey usually has readings of MGO 263+ or UMF 10+ (or higher) and is most often used in skincare and for medical or health purposes. Lower grade Manuka honey is the perfect choice for daily food consumption with ratings that are usually MGO 83+ or UMF 5+. 

Click here to see a table of UMF and MGO numbers to help you better compare and calculate the levels that are shown and stated on Manuka honey jars.

If we haven’t convinced you Manuka honey belongs in your shopping cart, maybe viewing some of the delicious and effective Manuka honey products will do the trick. From throat lozenges and lip balms, to hair conditioner, and skin and beauty products. We stock a wide range of Manuka honey brands such as Manuka Health, Comvita, Berringa, Nature First, Barnes Naturals, and Honey Life. Happy shopping!