Maybe you’ve seen it mentioned around the internet but never had a chance to find out what its deal is. Well, we’ve researched manuka honey a little and here is what we found out.
Sweet and healthier than other types of honey? All signs point to yes as of now when it comes to Manuka honey. It’s a type that’s rare and special, produced exclusively in New Zealand, and made entirely from the Manuka plant, a local flower that lends its properties to the honey.
So why is it so rare? Well, the answer lies in the fact that it’s only produced in New Zealand and can only be made for a few weeks a year, the time when the manuka plant is in flower. And the whole process depends a lot on the conditions like the weather and how much nectar is produced. For all of those reasons, Manuka honey can also be pretty expensive. One jar of 8.8 oz can cost way over $60.
Why is it so great though? Well, the answer lies in this compound called Methylglyoxal or MGO, which is naturally occurring and the special ingredient that gives this type of honey its most interesting benefits. The riper the honey, the higher the MGO content in it. The packaging has to state how much MGO is in the honey – the higher, the better.
Manuka honey health benefits
So, what are the applications of this Kiwi product? Many people use it as a natural boost of their immune system and energy. This makes it perfect for winter time when rates of seasonal affective disorder are going way up, but also most people’s energy tends to go down.
If you’ve made it this far and want to know the specific health benefits of Manuka honey, we’re definitely going to help you with that.
First of all, it’s an excellent nutritional supplement, loaded with amino acids, enzymes, B vitamins like thiamin (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5) and also B6. There are also amino acids like proline, tyrosine, lysine and many others. But the mineral content is also pretty good, with calcium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, copper, sodium, potassium, magnesium, and manganese all present there.
Thanks to all of these, Manuka honey relieves gastritis symptoms caused by bacterial infections or excessive alcohol consumption. It also prevents and repairs damage to the colon damaged by chronic Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).
Because Manuka honey helps boost your immunity, it tends to also protect you from being plagued by the common cold and the flu during the cold season. But if you do catch a bad cold, you can use the honey to alleviate bad coughing. It also helps with chronic sinusitis thanks to its antibacterial compounds. For the same reason, the honey can also fight plaque and promote good dental health, even if it is pretty rich in sugar.
Manuka honey beauty benefits
If you are into homemade beauty products, you can really use Manuka honey as a facial cleanser and toner. Make it into a face mask as well. It helps resolve cases of rosacea because it helps clear out the pores and also reduces pore size. It helps make your hair more beautiful and clear up dandruff on the scalp. You can also use it as a hair mask to minimize freeze and keep your hair stronger. It’s even more effective than regular honey in the helping with the healing of wounds and burns, calms down eczema and hives.
