7 Incredible Health Benefits of Manuka Honey
Have you heard the buzz about Manuka honey – pun absolutely intended!
In recent decades, Manuka honey has gained a growing following, with people loving its rich, earthy flavour and enjoying its many health benefits, too. Native to New Zealand, Manuka honey has strong antiseptic, antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties; it’s little wonder it’s so popular.
If you haven’t tried Manuka honey yet, here are 7 incredible ways in which it can benefit your health:
- Promoting healing of wounds
Manuka has been approved for clinical use in Australia, New Zealand, Europe, the USA, Canada and Hong Kong, and is definitely no longer seen as an alternative medicine. Working very quickly due to its high sugar levels that act to draw fluid from a wound, Manuka honey also helps to remove diseased matter, dirt and debris, making it very advantageous when used in the dressing of wounds. Not only that, but it also has anti-inflammatory properties which can help to reduce the swelling of tissue.
- Treating burns
Being antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, Manuka honey can be used to successfully treat burns, creating a physical barrier and a moist environment. When it comes to healing burns, this is especially helpful, as they tend to heal faster if kept moist. The use of honey when treating a burn also means that the bandages are less likely to stick to the wound and cause additional pain and discomfort for the patient.
- Healing skin infections
Manuka honey’s antifungal properties mean that it can be used as an effective treatment for such fungal diseases as ringworm and tinea infections, and it can also be used to help treat skin disorders like dermatitis, which are renowned for their stubbornness.
- Treating acid reflux, heartburn and GERD
Research has recently shown that Manuka honey can be used to effectively treat a variety of stomach conditions, such as oesophagitis, heartburn, GERD and acid reflux. With its natural viscosity, it can remain for longer in the oesophagus and act as a protective, anti-inflammatory layer.
- Treating stomach ulcers
Containing flavonoids that produce antioxidant effects, honey can be used to treat peptic ulcers by preventing the formation of gastric ulcers. There are many health benefits contained within flavonoids, and Manuka honey is overflowing with them.
- Soothing sore throats and coughs
Honey has long been used to treat coughs and sore throats, and with the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties contained within it that reduce swelling and kills germs, it’s easy to see why this home remedy has endured.
- Treating acne
Manuka honey is now being widely used in face masks and acne treatments, as a result of its incredible antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
While Manuka honey isn’t as affordable as other types of honey, it can prove to be less expensive than prescription medicines in the long run (think of the multiple uses you’ll get from a jar of honey, and the speed at which it can heal you, preventing the need for a further course of treatment), and if you could heal yourself naturally, why wouldn’t you?