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Manuka honey, produced in New Zealand by bees that pollinate the

Manuka bush, is one of the most unique and beneficial forms


of honey in the world. There are many Manuka honey uses that range
from healing sore throats and digestive illnesses to curing Staph
infections and gingivitis.

Historically honey has been used for medicinal purposes dating back
thousands of years. Seeing that it is one of nature’s richest
antimicrobial sources, it shouldn’t surprise us to hear that many
archeologists claim that while excavating the tombs of Egyptian royals
from thousands of years ago, they discovered unspoiled honey in
pots. (1)
Learn why regular honey just doesn't cut it. Click here for your free printable on why Manuka
honey is a must buy!

Whether it was with the Far Eastern Vedic tradition, ancient Greek
mythology or in Biblical times, where the promised land was known as
the “land flowing with milk and honey,” cultures around the globe have
praised honey for being an amazing healing treasure.

Yet because of industrialization, honey isn’t what it used to be. Like


most things today, not all honeys are created equal. In addition to the
more than 300 varieties of honey to choose from, you have the
following options:

 Raw or pasteurized
 Filtered or unfiltered
 Comb (with the edible beeswax inside) liquid or whipped
 Local or imported

As a rule of thumb, you get what you pay for. Most products at
conventional supermarkets are not much different from high fructose
corn syrup. To get good honey today, you pretty much have to go to
your local health food store, local farm co-op or go online to purchase
the real deal.

However, it’s not impossible to find Manuka honey, and as you’ll see,
there are many reasons to seek it out.
Top 10 Manuka Honey Benefits

Manuka honey benefits have been touted in the natural health world
for a long time and even more in recent years because a growing
body of research is starting to support thousands of years of folk
medicine use. Some of the top Manuka honey uses are and benefits
include:

1. Helps with SIBO, Low Stomach Acid, Acid Reflux


2. May Help Treat Acne and Eczema
3. Combats Staph Infections (MRSA)
4. Treats Burns, Wounds and Ulcers
5. Prevents Tooth Decay and Gingivitis
6. Aids IBS and IBD Treatment
7. Improves Sore Throats and Immunity
8. Helps Allergies
9. Beauty Treatment and Health Booster
10. Improves Sleep
1. Helps with SIBO, Low Stomach Acid, Acid Reflux

Small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), low stomach acid and


acid reflux go hand in hand. Because of Manuka honey’s known
natural antibiotic qualities, it is a great medicine for any bacteria-
related disorder.

In fact, in a recent study, one dangerous bacteria related to all three


conditions, Clostridium difficult, was found to be quite susceptible to
Manuka honey’s bactericidal effects. (2) So taking Manuka honey is
very beneficial at reducing acid reflux and balancing your digestive
system to heal stomach and intestinal imbalances.
2. May Help Treat Acne and Eczema

The Internet is filled with patient testimonials that Manuka honey


works marvelously for acne and eczema patients. At this time there
are few clinical trials to support these claims, but taking into account
its proven antimicrobial and healing properties, it’s believed honey can
help with these skin conditions. (3)

One recent review of clinical and cellular studies on Manuka honey’s


effects in treating atopic dermatitis found that it “is potentially effective
in the treatment of AD lesions based on both clinical and cellular
studies through different mechanisms. This needs to be confirmed by
randomized and controlled clinical trials.” (4)

Most people claim that applying honey on affected areas for a few
minutes and then washing off with gentle soap and water usually does
the trick. Repeat this every day or every other day for the best results.
3. Combats Staph Infections (MRSA)

You’ve probably heard of the superbug that has plagued hospitals


over the several years, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA). Antibiotic overuse and drug ineffectiveness have caused
certain strains of Staph to become virtually indefensible using typical
hospital and nursing home medical protocols. Spreading so rapidly,
most people affected by MRSA end up getting so infected that they
require invasive procedures or devices, such as surgeries, artificial
joints or intervenes tubing, to save their lives against these dangerous
superbugs — as antibiotics often don’t work. (5)

However, U.K. researchers from Cardiff Metropolitan University have


offered us some natural hope. They discovered that Manuka honey
down-regulates the most potent genes of the MRSA bacteria. Some
scientists now suggest that regular topical use on cuts and infections
(especially in the hospital and nursing home setting) may
keep MRSA naturally at bay. (6)
4. Treats Burns, Wounds and Ulcers

According to research published in the Jundishapur Journal of Natural


Pharmaceutical Products, “The use of honey leads to improved wound
healing in acute cases, pain relief in burn patients and decreased
inflammatory response in such patients.” (7) Moreover, because of its
rich antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory characteristics,
Manuka honey has been shown to prevent infection in rats
with ulcers. (8) It has also been used quite effectively as a wound
dressing to promote rapid, improved healing.
5. Prevents Tooth Decay and Gingivitis

Several studies have come out describing how Manuka honey can
help treat and prevent gingivitis and periodontal disease. Due to its
superior antimicrobial activity, researchers from the School of
Dentistry at the University of Otago in New Zealand discovered
that chewing or sucking on a Manuka honey product not only caused
a 35 percent decrease in plaque, but it led to a 35 percent reduction in
bleeding sites in people suffering from gingivitis. (9) Also calcium, zinc
and phosphorus are all important nutrients for healing teeth.

6. Aids IBS and IBD Treatment

When evaluating the effect that Manuka honey has on experimentally


induced inflammatory bowel disease in rats, researchers from
Chandigarh Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and
Research discovered several astounding findings: (10)

 Manuka honey at different doses provided protection against


TNBS-induced colonic damage.
 All the treated groups showed reduced colonic inflammation, and
all the biochemical parameters were significantly reduced
compared with the control in the Manuka honey treated groups.
 Manuka honey at different doses restored lipid peroxidation as
well as improved antioxidant parameters. Morphological and
histological scores were significantly reduced in the low dose
Manuka honey treated group.
 In the inflammatory model of colitis, oral administration of
Manuka honey significantly reduced the colonic inflammation.
So Manuka honey not only treated intestinal inflammation and pain,
but also repaired free radical damage and protected against further
damage.
7. Improves Sore Throats and Immunity

In 2007, data published in the Journal of Leukocyte Biology suggested


that, “A 5.8-kDa component of Manuka honey stimulates immune cells
via TLR4.” (11) This is interesting because previous studies have
indicated that honey stimulates cytokine production from human
monocytes.

Coupling with this 2011 research showing how Manuka stops the
growth of sore throat-causing Strep bacteria, it is no wonder that so
many people benefit almost instantly from taking a spoonful of honey
when they don’t feel well. (12) Recently it has even been approved by
the National Cancer Institute to be used to treat inflammation in the
throat from chemotherapy.
8. Helps Allergies

A study conducted by the South Karelia Allergy and Environment


Institute in Findland examining the effects of honey and birch pollen
on allergies that had remarkable results. The participants were given
regular honey, honey with birch pollen added to it and some used only
their allergy medicines as a control group. The results were
impressive:

…patients reported a 60% lower total symptom score, twice as many


asymptomatic days, and 70% fewer days with severe symptoms, and
they used 50% less antihistamines compared to the control group.

The researchers also found that there was very little difference
between the birch pollen honey users and the regular honey users.
So, taking Manuka honey on a regular basis may really help
your seasonal allergies and lessen your need for medications. (13)
9. Beauty Treatment and Health Booster
Taken daily, Manuka honey has an elixir effect that boosts energy and
enhances your quality of life. Because of its nutrient-dense profile, it
boosts vitality, youthful energy, and has been known to improve skin
tone and texture.

Use it in a homemade face wash to exfoliate and fight free radicals in


the skin. Use it in your shampoo or a hair mask to boost the shine of
your hair. One of my favorite uses is in a detox drink, to get the most
benefits inside and out!
10. Improves Sleep

Manuka Honey helps to promote restful deep sleep. It slowly releases


the glycogen needed for essential bodily functions during sleep.
Adding honey to milk at bedtime helps the body release melatonin into
the brain, which is necessary for deep sleep. (14)

There are many health disorders associated with poor sleep, such as
heart disease, type II diabetes, stroke and arthritis. Since honey is
proven to aid in quality sleep, it also helps lower the risk of these and
many other heath problems.

Manuka Honey Nutrition Facts

What makes Manuka honey different is its amazing nutritional profile.


Regular raw honey is already known for its tremendous nutritional and
immune-boosting abilities. Generally speaking, the typical raw
unfiltered honey is a rich source of: (15)

 Amino acids
 B vitamins (B6, thiamin, niacin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid)
 Calcium
 Copper
 Iron
 Magnesium
 Manganese
 Phosphorus
 Potassium
 Sodium
 Zinc

Yet with Manuka honey, the nutritional content is up to four times that
of normal flower honeys. This is what is called the Unique Manuka
Factor.

Unique Manuka Factor

In 1981, researchers at the New Zealand University of Waikato


discovered that Manuka honey has a considerably higher level of
enzymes than regular honey. These enzymes create a natural
hydrogen peroxide that works as an antibacterial. Some strains of this
New Zealand honey are particularly rich in hydrogen peroxide,
methylglyoxal and dihydroxyacetone.

This medicinal trilogy helps make up what is referred to as the Unique


Manuka Factor (UMF), a global standard in identifying and measuring
the antibacterial strength of Manuka. Essentially, the UMF is a
guarantee that the honey being sold is of a medicinal quality.

UMF is not found in the nectar of all Manuka flowers, and


comparatively speaking, regular Manuka only contains the hydrogen
peroxide antibacterial property that is common to most types of honey.

What separates UMF Manuka from other Manuka varieties is that it


has both the natural hydrogen peroxide and its own natural UMF
antibacterial property, which greatly enhances it effectiveness. The
UMF properties of Manuka are extremely stable and, unlike the
hydrogen peroxide common in most honey, are not easily destroyed
by heat, light and enzymes in the body.
How to Verify Genuine UMF Manuka Honey

The term Manuka is used to describe both leptospermum


scoparium and K. ericoides. This honey is typically retrieved by
beekeepers and comes mostly from New Zealand Manuka honey
manufacturers. People have been eating Manuka honey and using
Manuka honey for centuries, but how do you know if you’re

The minimum UMF rating recognized is UMF5, but it is not considered


beneficial unless it carries a UMF 10+ level of antibacterial activity in
the honey. Anything ranging from UMF 10–UMF 15 is a useful level,
and anything UMF 16 and up is considered a superior quality.

Genuine UMF Manuka honey will have these four things:

 It will have a UMF trademark clearly labeled on the front of the


container.
 It will be from a New Zealand UMF licensed company and
labeled in New Zealand.
 It will have the UMF company’s name and license number on the
label.
 It will have a UMF rating number of 5–16+. If it is labeled without
the UMF or without a number, then it is not the genuine article.

According to the UMF association, the UMF rating actually tests the
antibacterial performance of a honey and compares it to phenol, a
disinfectant. The Active Manuka Honey Association that does the
testing states:

The presence of the special non-peroxide activity can be detected


only by an array of scientific testing directly relating to the phenol
standard. The rating has a one-to-one relationship to the phenol
standard.

This means that a UMF rating of 20+ is equivalent in strength to a 20


percent solution of phenol. The ideal UMF rating varies depending on
your purpose, but laboratory studies have shown that Manuka honey
with a non-peroxide activity level of UMF 12 to UMF 15 is effective
against a wide range of very resistant bacteria.

Here is an explanation of what manuka honey UMF you should use:

 0–4 — Non-therapeutic
 4–9 — Maintenance level with general honey health benefits
 10–14 — Supports natural healing and bacterial balance
 15+ — Superior levels of phenols that are highly therapeutic but
shouldn’t exceed taking 1 tablesppon at a time

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