The Best Manuka Honey Brand and Why I Haven’t Gone A Day Without A Spoonful of It For Years
Manuka honey is a superior form of honey
that is fascinating in many ways.
Here we will explore what manuka honey is and what makes it so special. We’ll also investigate some of its main health benefits & uses and the best manuka honey product I’ve ever found.
Some of the links in this article are affiliate links. This means that if you click the link and subsequently make a purchase on the merchant’s website, we may earn a small commission at absolutely no additional cost to you. All opinions are entirely my own. I have used all products mentioned personally for years.
What Is Manuka Honey and Why Is It So Special?
Manuka honey is a particular form of honey that is sourced specifically from New Zealand or Australia.
It is a monofloral type of honey, meaning it is only sourced from the nectar of a single plant species: the manuka tree.
The honey is produced by bees that pollinate the manuka tree (technically called Leptospermum scoparium) as seen in the image to the right.
It is raw, meaning
it has not gone through a pasteurization process, which would alter a lot of its medicinal properties.
Manuka honey is a bit thicker and more opaque than other forms of honey.
One of the main reasons manuka honey differs from other types of honey is its pronounced antibacterial properties.
It also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Manuka Honey UMF and MGO Ratings
Manuka honey is classified, or rated based on its Unique Manuka Factor and methylglyoxal content.
The Unique Manuka Factor, or UMF, is a form of classification that was developed to ensure the quality and purity of different manuka honey products.
The UMF scale goes from 5 to 20.
UMF measures the methylglyoxal content of the honey, along with other quality markers.
Methylglyoxal, or MGO, is the organic compound found in manuka honey that gives it is powerful antibacterial properties. The higher the number, the more powerful the antibacterial capacity of that particular honey.
MGO has a rating system itself, with numbers that range from 50 to over 700.
If a manuka honey product is authentic, it with either display a UMF score or a MGO number on the label.
Health Benefits and Medicinal Uses
The primary medicinal quality of manuka honey can be attributed to its antibacterial properties.
These properties make manuka honey useful in a variety of ways which include:
- Wound Healing
Because of its antibacterial and antioxidant properties, manuka honey can help to treat or prevent infection in wounds such as scrapes, burns, boils, and sores. It can also be used as a protective barrier and moisturizer, which promotes healing.
Manuka honey can also help to promote the regeneration of affected tissues and help to reduce pain.
- Soothing a Sore Throat
If a sore throat is caused by a bacterial infection, manuka honey can help to reduce inflammation and eradicate the bacteria which contribute to throat pain.
It can help here as well by coating the throat which has a soothing effect.
- Digestive Support
Manuka honey can help to support digestion mainly because of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Reduced inflammation in the stomach and intestines allows for improved digestive capacity.
- Stomach Ulcers
Stomach ulcers, also called peptic or gastric ulcers, are sores that form inside the stomach. They can be very painful and also cause symptoms such as bloating, nausea, and vomiting.
One of the most common causes of stomach ulcers is a bacteria called h. pylori.
Because of its powerful antibacterial effects, manuka honey can be used to eradicate the h. pylori populations found in the stomach and hence help to treat stomach ulcers caused by this bacteria.
- Oral Health
Manuka honey can help to reduce “bad” oral bacteria (such as P. gingivalis) which can contribute to tooth decay, periodontal issues, plaque formation, and inflammation of the gums.
- Skincare/Acne
Manuka honey can be a useful spot treatment for pimples and acne because of its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
I’ve found a combination of both manuka honey and Cocokind Turmeric Spot Treatment to be incredibly effective at treating any pimples that pop up. I apply both at night before bed and the pimple is usually gone in a day or two.
The Best Manuka Honey I’ve Ever Found
After I discovered how many powerful health benefits manuka honey had, I began trying out many different kinds to see if there was much difference in how my body responded to them.
Boy was there.
Most of the well-reviewed and “superior” products that I tried were ok. I went all the way up to a 700+ MGO rating, and tried around 15 different products, but it wasn’t until I tried Manuka Health’s MGO 400+ manuka honey that I noticed tangible benefits. 
I started taking a spoonful in the morning, about 30 minutes before breakfast and almost immediately noticed that I had more stamina throughout the day. I wasn’t expecting this, but I was SO grateful for it!
As you know if you’ve had or are healing from any kind of chronic illness, energy is very hard to come by in a lot of cases.
After adding this to my daily regimen I could tell a difference in this area, which was such as welcomed benefit and really made this product in particular stand out.
This effect can be attributed to a combination of its antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, all of which can help to improve energy.
It also has natural sugars which help with this as well. It’s the only thing that I eat other than beets that is high in sugar. Although sugar should be kept to a minimum, this is a superior super food of sorts, so it gets the green light!
It was interesting because the 400 specifically is what has stood out, no higher than that.
The monofloral Manuka Health New Zealand 400+ MGO Raw Manuka Honey is sourced straight from New Zealand and is non-GMO.
This honey has a UMF of 13+ and is in BPA free packaging.
It tastes lovely and has a thicker consistency than “regular” honey.
Manuka honey in general can be on the pricey side, but I’ve found this one to be the best deal considering its quality. This container usually lasts me about a month.
This has also helped as part of my gut healing protocol.
Dosing is particular to the individual, but a standard dose is around 1 tablespoon per day.
Needless to say, I haven’t gone a day without taking a spoonful of this honey since I first discovered it.
Click here to check it out.
It is a key part of my comprehensive protocol, for sure.
In Closing…
As we’ve explored here, manuka honey is a unique and superior form of honey that has many wonderful health benefits.
It can serve as an excellent addition to one’s whole food eating plan and is a great example of the healing power of nature.
REFERENCES