It was a couple weeks ago that I was strolling the aisles of my favorite mega bulk store (starts with a C, rhymes with “ostco”) when I came upon this large display of honey packaged like it was something of importance, meaning, I’d need scissors and upper body strength to open it, and it had hanging above it a price tag of $56. Well, that’s some fancy honey.
So immediately, I’m scoffing at the fact that they’ve somehow managed to market honey of all things, for such a high price. I didn’t even bother to read about its benefits or uses. I wasn’t spending that kind of money on honey, honey.
But this isn’t just any kind of honey – it’s Manuka Honey. Despite my scoffing, it’s apparently quite a bit different than regular honey, and ever since I saw it for the first time it’s been popping up everywhere – or perhaps, I’m just noticing it.
People are claiming it to be the next big thing, and after doing some research – I’m not gonna lie, I’m pretty sure I might go back and buy the dang stuff. Curious about Manuka honey? Read on to see what it is, what you can benefit from it, and whether it’s truly worth the chunk of change.
Manuka honey has an incredible ability to heal wounds with its strong antimicrobial activity – and studies have shown that might actually help heal hair follicles, strengthening them to prevent or decrease hair loss!
The hair care industry has certainly taken notice, and you can now find Manuka honey hair products with the hope of a healthier scalp, better hair, and maintaining those luscious locks. It’s definitely worth a shot if you’re dealing with hair loss or hair thinning.
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Another surprising plus to Manuka honey is how it may help to kill infections. In fact, Manuka honey has been used by medical professionals and western medicine alike to actually kill infections, and some pretty hefty ones too.
This particular type of honey has high levels of antimicrobial activity can work to disperse and kill bacteria. Some examples include Streptococcus (Strep, Strep Throat) and Staphylococcus (Staph Infections). If you end up with these illnesses, Manuka honey could prove itself helpful.
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Manuka honey, just like it can kill infections, will actually aid in the wound healing process. When used in the dressing of wounds, it assists in moist wound healing which is considered the most beneficial.
Not only that, because it’s also an anti-inflammatory, it reduces healing time and scarring! So the next time you get a paper cut or have some type of minor wound, grab some Manuka honey and see if it will help.
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Anyone with acne-prone skin or chronic eczema knows how important it is to take care of your skin. Since Manuka honey has an anti-inflammatory effect, it can help reduce inflammation caused by acne. Meaning, it’ll make the acne you get much less noticeable!
Not only that, but the Manuka honey can help oxygenate your pores, drawing out bacteria and improving your acne-prone skin. On one popular acne-focused rating site, it gave Manuka honey an 82% recommendation!
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There is a long list of foods to avoid if you’re someone who frequently experiences acid reflux. Manuka honey has the ability, like most kinds of honey do, to coat the lining of the stomach and esophagus and help repair the tissue lining that can be aggravated by acid reflux.
Since Manuka honey also reduces inflammation, promotes healing and so on, it’s no wonder so many are turning to it as a natural way of treating both acid reflux and GERD.
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Allergy season can be a real struggle. If you’re someone who suffers from seasonal allergies, it can be a difficult thing to keep under control with daily medications to help relieve its symptoms. That’s why natural remedies could be a good way to go.
However, since Manuka honey is raw and unpasteurized flower honey, it acts as a natural antihistamine and when taken on a regular basis can reduce the need for over the counter allergy medications.
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Another part of your health that should never be overlooked is your dental health. Luckily, Manuka honey has been known for aiding in tooth decay and prevention of gingivitis. These happen to be two of the most common issues in the oral health world.
For your teeth, simply combine the Manuka honey with water, and swish around your mouth like you would a mouthwash after meals to treat your teeth and gums to its oral health benefits!
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Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a debilitating yet incredibly common condition that many suffer from. Since the causes and treatments also tend to vary from person-to-person, it’s difficult to come up with a one-size-fits-all medicine to ease symptoms.
Because of Manuka honey’s anti-inflammatory and healing ways, it can for many relieve the symptoms of IBS, calming the stomach and easing digestion. This natural remedy may be helpful in treating IBS and preventing symptoms from occurring.
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Looking for a way to sleep better at night? As it turns out, Manuka honey can help you sleep by promoting the production and release of melatonin in the brain. Melatonin is helpful to creating a truly restorative sleep.
Melatonin can also help you fall asleep faster, and with the Manuka honey at work, can help heal anything you might be fighting off while you rest! So before you go to bed, try some Manuka honey and let it do its thing.
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As we already discussed, Manuka honey is known for being an anti-inflammatory and having positive benefits on the body. When taken on a regular basis, it may even help reduce inflammation in the body, as well as in isolated cases.
Some examples of isolated cases where Manuka can step in are wounds, sore throats, acne and more. However, body inflammation may happen continuously and Manuka can help with your long-term aches and pains of inflammation.
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Yep, it’s mostly just sugar. Like most honey’s, it is made up sugar and the other 20% is where all the magic happens.
If you’re looking at it from a nutritional standpoint, however, there’s not much it offers. It’s around 50-60 calories for a tablespoon, ranges around 15 grams of carbs and 16 grams of sugar. So when it comes to being a health food, it’s benefits are not within its labels, that’s for sure.
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When it comes to Manuka, and especially it’s pricing, it tends to go on a sliding scale based on its UMF grading. UMF which stands for the Unique Manuka Factor is the indicator of its effectiveness.
Doubling up on a +5 grade, won’t make it a +10, but it’s still going to have some benefits, just not to the same level as the higher ones. Ultimately, you get what you pay for. True Manuka honey must be graded between 5-16+ in UMF.
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When researching Manuka honey, you’ll quickly discover that it’s not all just jars of honey. Since it has an extensive list of things it can help, brands have made them a little more easily accessible for those specific needs.
You can now find wound care, hair care, skin care and even daily pill forms of Manuka honey. While it does have a rather medicinal taste, if you’re looking for a targeted beneficial way to use Manuka honey, you can go beyond the jar!
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When it comes to health and wellness, celebrities are usual the first to make the latest concepts a trend among the masses. Kourtney Kardashian is probably the most notable celebrity to really jump into the world of influencing the use of Manuka honey for beauty care needs.
Teaming up with a “Manuka Honey Doctor” she participated in ads and campaigns to help raise brand awareness, becoming an ambassador for the use of Manuka honey. Other celebrities such as Scarlett Johansson, Kylie Minogue, and Gwyneth Paltrow also swear by it.
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Initially many believe that the Manuka honey spurs from the Manuka bee. However, there is no such thing as Manuka bees at all.
Instead, it’s produced by a Manuka flower, found in New Zealand, which the bees use to produce the honey, is the differentiating factor between traditional honey, and Manuka honey. It’s just regular honeybees using the nectar from the Manuka flower to make their honey and the result is, as we’ve learned, pretty darn special.
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