Honey has been used for thousands of years not only as food, but also as a remedy for various diseases. New Zealand manuka honey is considered to be a particularly effective form. Thanks to its antibacterial effect, it is said to help with a wide variety of ailments and is used in the form of numerous products such as ointment or candies. How healthy manuka honey is and what to look for when buying the honey, we explain below.
What is manuka honey?
Just like ordinary honey, Manuka honey is made from flower nectar. However, while domestic bees produce their honey from canola, clover or other flowers, manuka honey is made from the nectar of the manuka bush, the South Sea myrtle (Leptospermum scoparium).
Where does manuka honey come from?
The Manuka shrub – a tea tree plant – is native to southeastern Australia, but mostly to New Zealand. There the Manuka honey is also mainly produced. Only honey that is verifiably obtained from the Manuka plant may be called Manuka honey. Compliance with quality guidelines is verified with laboratory tests.
What is special about manuka honey?
Mainly, Manuka honey differs from normal honey by its particularly high content of methylglyoxal (MGO). Methylglyoxal has an antibacterial effect and its concentration in Manuka honey is up to 100 times higher than in conventional honey.
What does the number mean in manuka honey?
The potency of Manuka honey is indicated by a number that quantifies the MGO value (in milligrams per kilogram of honey). The higher this value, the higher the content of methylglyoxal. And the higher is also the antibacterial action of Manuka honey. In the case of Manuka honey bottled in New Zealand, however, not only the MGO content is often indicated, but also the UMF – the Unique Manuka Factor, which is supposed to make a direct statement about the antibacterial effectiveness. However, this labeling is only permitted to members of the Unique Manuka Factor Honey Association (UMFHA). The following examples show the correspondence between MGO and UMF values:
- Manuka honey 250: UMF 10
- Manuka honey 400: UMF 13
- Manuka honey 550: UMF 16
- Manuka honey 800: UMF 20
Other ingredients of manuka honey
In addition to the antibacterial ingredients, Manuka honey contains mainly water and sugar. A wide variety of other substances are also contained – but in hardly any significant concentration. These include:
- Vitamins such as vitamins B1, B2 and B6, biotin and nicotinamide (niacin).
- Acids such as lactic acid or phosphoric acid.
- Minerals such as magnesium, calcium and potassium
- Secondary plant compounds
The antibacterial effect of honey
Scientists assume that the antimicrobial effect of honey is due to enzymes produced by bees. This is because in normal honey, hydrogen peroxide is a key ingredient in fighting harmful microorganisms. It is produced when honey reacts with the enzyme glucose oxidase. However, to preserve this active ingredient, honey must not be heat treated. While hydrogen peroxide is contained in Manuka honey only in comparatively small quantities, the honey scores above all with its high proportion of antibacterially active methylglyoxal. This is very stable due to its molecular properties compared to hydrogen peroxide. This means that Manuka honey can even be heated without affecting the content of methylglyoxal. It is thanks to this active ingredient that Manuka honey has a much stronger antibacterial effect than normal honey. On top of that, the high sugar content in honey causes the bacteria to be deprived of water, which makes them less able to multiply.
Studies on the effect of Manuka honey.
There are numerous studies on the effect of Manuka honey – but most of them were conducted in vitro, i.e. in laboratory experiments, or on animals. In one study, researchers from Southampton were able to prove that the antibacterial effect of Manuka honey can prevent bacteria from growing in a Petri dish. However, the honey must come into contact with the affected area for this, which is why, for example, the application in the mouth and throat should be more effective than, for example, the treatment of coughs coming from the bronchial tubes. Manuka honey could also be suitable as a disinfectant for surfaces or medical equipment, according to the researchers.In another study on rats, an anti-inflammatory effect on gastric ulcers was demonstrated. In addition, the honey was able to reduce oxidative stress in rats and promote wound healing in horses. Even though the effect of Manuka honey is far from being conclusively researched and studies with humans in particular are still pending, these and numerous other studies already indicate antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. However, there is no sufficient evidence for the effect in humans.
Application of Manuka honey
In medical and therapeutic treatments, one makes use of the effect of honey for a long time. For example, bandages with honey are applied when patients have bedsores. Manuka honey is also used for this purpose. In addition, the honey is used, for example, in the following cases:
- For acne and psoriasis
- For fungal infections
- For the treatment of herpes
- Candies with Manuka honey or pure for sore throats, sore throats and colds.
- Manuka ointment for external wounds such as abrasions and burns.
- Creams with manuka honey have an anti-inflammatory and skin-soothing effect
Manuka honey is also used as an ingredient in cosmetics, toothpaste or, of course, as food.
How should you take and use manuka honey?
Manuka honey is a home remedy, which is why recommendations for use are mostly based on the experiences of the respective patients and therapists – therefore, there are no universal recommendations for use.
- For external use, the honey can be applied as needed pure or diluted to the appropriate place – but be careful with open wounds, because the honey as a natural product is not germ-free.
- For internal use is usually given three teaspoons of Manuka honey throughout the day.
- How much and how often to apply an ointment or drink a tea is usually recommended by the manufacturer.
However, if in doubt, discuss the treatment in advance with your doctor, as home remedies such as Manuka honey in many cases are not sufficient to treat symptoms alone.
Dosage: which manuka honey is the best?
In general, it can be said that the dosage of manuka honey depends on its quality, that is, its effectiveness. Thus, a honey with a higher concentration of methyglyoxal is dosed lower than one with a low MGO value. Manuka honey with a high MGO value is also correspondingly more expensive. Which manuka honey to buy depends on the intended use. The following rules of thumb apply when choosing the right manuka honey:
- Manuka honey is available from an MGO value of 100. However, Manuka honey 400 is recommended for medical use
- For the relief of symptoms of a cold is usually Manuka honey 250 application.
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Since the exact effects of the various – especially the high – MGO values have not yet been researched, it is advisable to rather reach for lower MGO values.
Buying and storing manuka honey
You can buy manuka honey and manuka products in pharmacies, health food stores and drugstores – preferably organic to ensure there are no pesticide residues or contaminants. MGO or UMF seals of approval help distinguish genuine Manuka honey from the many counterfeit products in circulation. Honey should be stored in a cool, dry and dark place, although it should not be kept in the refrigerator.
Who is manuka honey suitable for?
For people with an intact immune system, the consumption of Manuka honey is generally considered safe. For women during pregnancy, Manuka honey is just as suitable as normal honey. Children after the first year of life can also benefit from the positive properties of Manuka honey – younger children or infants, however, should not consume the natural product.
Possible side effects
The side effects of manuka honey are considered not yet sufficiently researched. In a study with a highly concentrated Manuka solution for application to the middle ear, damage to hearing occurred. Therefore, caution should be exercised with stand-alone treatments, especially when MGO concentrations are high.People with diabetes should not use Manuka honey without consulting their doctor, as the honey is suspected of promoting the disease and methylglyoxal can also have negative effects on wound healing in this group. It is also not recommended for use on chronic wounds, as the methylglyoxal can negatively affect the development of pain. As a natural product, manuka honey can also cause allergies, diarrhea and other discomfort.
What else is in the manuka plant?
South Sea myrtle is a shrub related to the Australian tea tree and is called manuka in the language of the Maori, the indigenous people of New Zealand. Among the Maori, the manuka shrub is considered a medicinal plant and is used, among other things, for gastrointestinal complaints and for the treatment of wounds, fever or bladder infections. In addition to Manuka honey, it is mainly the bark and leaves that are used, for example, to make Manuka tea. Manuka oil, which is distilled from the leaves and branches of the plant, is also valued for its healing properties.
Sources and studies
- Emineke, S. et al. (2017): Diluted honey inhibits biofilm formation: potential application in urinary catheter management? In Journal of Clinical Pathology, vol. 70, pp. 140-144.
- Almasaudi, S. B. et al. (2017): Manuka Honey Exerts Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activities That Promote Healing of Acetic Acid-Induced Gastric Ulcer in Rats. In: Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
- Jubri, Z. et al. (2013): Manuka honey protects middle-aged rats from oxidative damage. In: Clinics (Sao Paulo), Vol. 68(11), pp. 1446-1454.
- Dart, A. J. et al. (2015): A review of research into second intention equine wound healing using manuka honey: current recommendations and future applications. In Equine Veterinary Education, Vol. 27(12), pp. 658-664.
- Aron, M. et al. (2012): Otologic safety of manuka honey: In: Journal of otolaryngology – head and neck surgery, Vol. 41, pp. 21-30.
- Majtan, J. (2011): Methylglyoxal-a potential risk factor of manuka honey in healing of diabetic ulcers. In: Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
