Manuka honey: Nature’s antibiotic
Last week, my family and I were on holiday in Queensland and we visited Tamborine Mountain for the day.
The kids and I decided to go into a cute little honey shop, mainly to try a free sample of honeycomb. Unfortunately, they had run out of honeycomb but I ended up deep in conversation with the shop owner about Manuka honey and its benefits.
One by one, the kids got bored and left and fifteen minutes later I was met with eye rolls from my husband as I walked out of the shop with a jar of high-strength Manuka honey and some healing skin cream…
I often recommend raw honey to clients because of its antimicrobial effects, but Manuka honey is next level in terms of its healing properties.
Some of Manuka honey's health benefits include:
⭐️ Wound healing
⭐️ Treating burns, acne and skin infections
⭐️ Promoting oral health
⭐️ Soothing sore throats
⭐️ Improving sleep
⭐️ Treating gastric ulcers
⭐️ Supporting healthy gut microbial balance
⭐️ Improving IBS symptoms
⭐️ Reducing inflammation
⭐️ Treating microbial infections
In Australia, Manuka honey is rated according to the level of MGO (methylglyoxal), an indicator of antibiotic activity:
🍯 MGO 30+ - low strength, used in the same way as regular table honey
🍯 MGO 100+ - digestive, immune and wellbeing benefits
🍯 MGO 500+ - antibacterial, antimicrobial and nutritional properties
🍯 MGO 900+ - highest level of antibacterial activity (used to treat antibiotic-resistant microorganisms, e.g. clostridium difficile and staph infections)
It is important to look for the MGO rating (or UMF, if the honey is from New Zealand) to make sure that you are buying genuine, active Manuka honey.
How to use Manuka honey:
• Digestive issues, oral health or sore throats: take 1-2 teaspoons a day, preferably on an empty stomach, and allow it to dissolve in your mouth before swallowing
• Acne: apply to pimples using a cotton tip
• Wounds, burns and skin infections: apply directly to the skin
Note: Manuka honey should not be given to children under 12 months.
To find out more about healing through nutrition, check out my other blog posts or book in for a free discovery call! 😀