Manuka Honey: Medicinal Uses, Benefits, and Side Effects

Honey is available in hundreds of types based on the flora that bees forage to create this incredible wonder of nature. Each of these honey types offers distinct tastes, textures, and several health benefits.

One popular type of honey that you commonly see online or in physical stores is the Manuka (pronounced MAH-nooka) Honey. This particular type of honey has no match when it comes to sweetness, flavour, and health benefits.

Here is what the CEO of B A Barry Group and the founder of Geohoney, Mr. Basem Barry has to say

“Manuka honey is my personal favourite as it is a powerhouse of nutrients. This monofloral honey keeps you healthy and energetic all day long for its exceptional nutritional profile.”

This blog explores Manuka Honey in detail to help you realize how beneficial this natural sweetener is so keep on reading till the end.

• What is Manuka Honey?
• Nutritional Contents of Manuka Honey
• Medicinal Uses of Manuka Honey
• For Digestive Health
• For Wound Healing
• For Skin Care
• For Sore Throat and Cough
• For Nasal and Sinus Irrigation
• For Oral Health
• Benefits of Manuka Honey
• Side Effects of Manuka Honey

What is Manuka Honey?

This is a special type of raw honey that bees produce by pollinating flowers of the manuka bush (Leptospermum scoparium) which is native to New Zealand and some parts of Australia.

Manuka honey is known worldwide for its high nutritional value as well as plenty of medicinal uses. This type of honey has a very thick and viscous texture much like a syrup or a jam. This honey comes in a distinctive dark brown hue.

Nutritional Contents of Manuka Honey

You can buy unprocessed honey made from Manuka bushes if you are looking to increase the nutritional value of your diet. A single tablespoon of this honey gives you 72 calories, 17 grams of carbohydrates, and 16 grams of added sugars. The same amount of this honey gives you 0 fats or proteins.

Manuka honey has a higher concentration of MGO or methylglyoxal. The presence of this component gives Manuka honey superior antibacterial and antiviral properties.

This honey also contains iron, copper, and manganese which builds a balance between haemoglobin and red blood cells. And last but not least, Manuka honey is also rich in riboflavin, amino acids, thiamine, vitamin B6, and pantothenic acid which serve to enhance your immunity.

Medicinal Uses of Manuka Honey

Following are the main medicinal uses of Manuka Honey that make it so special

1. For Digestive Health

You can buy Manuka Honey from some best honey brand in world to enjoy much better digestive health. This honey promotes the health of your gastrointestinal tract by soothing inflammation and supporting the lining of the mouth and throat.

Moreover, this honey has prebiotic features. It contains high levels of oligosaccharides which are non-digestible carbohydrates that encourage the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. This treats and prevents issues like diarrhea, gas, bloating, indigestion, abdominal pain, and irregular bowel movements.

1. For Wound Healing

Manuka Honey helps you fight bacteria that slow down the healing cycle while giving you healthy nutrients to promote faster tissue repair at the same time. You can apply it gently on mild abrasion or burns to prevent scarring or infections.

1. For Skin Care

You can apply this pure raw honey to your face to prevent inflammation as well as acne-causing bacteria. The honey can also moisturize your skin which keeps it looking fresh.

It further prevents dryness by keeping your skin’s pH level stable. Manuka honey can also soothe the symptoms of eczema making your skin appear clear and smooth at all times.

1. For Sore Throat and Cough

Manuka honey can help fight viruses and bacteria that cause sore throat and coughing. You can either have this honey raw or mix it in warm water and drink it slowly to relieve cold symptoms instantly. 

1. For Nasal and Sinus Irrigation

This honey is also effective for rinsing your nasal and sinus lining. If you suffer from chronic congestion or cystic fibrosis, you can use Manuka Honey to alleviate the symptoms.

1. For Oral Health

You can buy organic honey online from a source that sells Manuka honey to improve your oral health. This honey helps fight bacteria like Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (A. actinomycetemcomitans). that are the prime cause of plaque formation and tooth decay.

Benefits of Manuka Honey

Following are the main benefits of honey that you need to know

• It inhibits the growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) and Burkholderia cepacia complex (B. cepacia) bacteria that create upper respiratory infections.
• It can help treat the cystic fibrosis symptoms.
• It reduces the symptoms of diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, and, vomiting.
• It can help treat and prevent gastric ulcers.
• This honey reduces coughs caused by upper respiratory tract infections (URIs).
• Its high antibacterial activity helps fight harmful oral bacteria.
• It helps treat wounds, burns, as well as sores.
• The high MGO content in Manuka Honey gives it antiviral properties.

Side Effects of Manuka Honey

Following are a few side effects of using Manuka Organic honey 

• It can lead to a burning sensation when applied directly to the skin or wounds.
• People with diabetes can experience dehydrated tissues upon consuming this honey.
• It can lead to increased blood sugar levels as well as calorie consumption.
• You can get an allergic reaction if you are allergic to honey or bees.
• It can interact with other medications and certain chemotherapy drugs.
• Consuming too much Manuka Honey can lead to weight gain as a single tablespoon of this honey has about 60 calories and 16 grams of sugar.

Conclusion

Manuka honey has a lot of benefits when it comes to your physical health. It can reduce cold symptoms, improve your skin, and lead to better digestion. Using this honey daily can not only keep you nourished but will also help cut back your sugar intake which further improves your health.

However, when using this honey make sure to ascertain that you are not allergic to it. It is also recommended that you use it in moderation to get the maximum health benefits.

Geohoney is the leading honey brand based in Dubai with over 130 farms equipped with the latest new-tech monofloral initiatives. Our 100% pure, raw, and natural monofloral honey is carefully prepared using single nectar sources. Geohoney strives to produce monofloral honey that meets the highest global quality control standards while using environmentally sustainable resources.

Visit GEOHONEY today to buy the best pure monofloral honey to stay healthy and fit throughout the year.