17 Jun Manuka Honey, “Healing honey”

in www.indice.eu – 3 June, 2025

Humans have been consuming honey for almost 5,500 years, which is not surprising given the variety of uses for this sweet, viscous nectar. If you’re a honey lover and this is the first time you’ve heard of Manuka honey, you should know that it’s honey in its purest form.

Also known as ‘healing honey’, it is produced by bees that collect pollen from the Manuka tree (Leptospermum scoparium), a shrub that grows naturally in the wildest part of the East Cape region on New Zealand’s North Island.

This rare honey is only produced during a limited period each year when the plant blooms.

Like other honeys, Manuka honey is a natural source of sweetness and energy. It has a dark colour, a distinct and strong flavour and a characteristic smell, marked by the aroma of woods and herbs.

But what makes it so special?

For a start, it offers exceptional medicinal properties. The medicinal properties of this honey were discovered by the Maori, the indigenous people of New Zealand, who used Manuka honey for centuries for its healing properties. However, it is only recently that this honey has begun to be commercialised as a health product around the world.

Manuka honey has an exceptional chemical composition that makes it unique from other types of honey. One of its most notable characteristics is its high content of methylglyoxal (MGO) – an organic compound that greatly contributes to its antibacterial properties.

MGO can destroy a wide range of pathogenic bacteria, including those resistant to antibiotics. Unlike other honeys, Manuka honey also contains a higher level of dihydroxyacetone, a precursor of MGO, which is present in the nectar of Manuka flowers.

Manuka honey is also rich in antioxidants, particularly flavonoids and phenols, which play a crucial role in fighting free radical damage in the body. This wealth of antioxidants gives it anti-inflammatory properties and can help boost the immune system. In addition, Manuka honey acts osmotically, which means that it draws water out of bacterial cells, dehydrating them and preventing them from reproducing. This makes it particularly effective in healing wounds and skin infections, where it creates an unfavourable environment for bacteria to survive.

Another unique aspect of this honey is its low pH, which helps to reduce inflammation and promote healing.

Unlike other antibacterial agents that can be aggressive to the skin, Manuka honey is gentle and can be applied directly to wounds and skin damage.

In fact, Manuka honey is mainly used to heal wounds and burns. It acts as a protective barrier, preventing infection, and at the same time keeps the wound area moisturised. Topical application of MGO-based creams improves regeneration and healing, including in diabetic foot ulcers.

But studies also show the benefits of Manuka honey in treating other illnesses, being effective in replenishing defences and helping to treat sore throats, hay fever, fatigue, stomach problems, oral infections and even MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) – bacteria notoriously resistant to antibiotics.

The action of manuka honey has also been proven against the bacterium Helicobacter pylori (which affects the mucous lining of the human stomach, responsible for ulcers and indigestion), gum disease, especially plaque and gingivitis, and wound healing.

It is also effective in destroying bacteria of the Streptococcus genus, usually responsible for sore throats, and as an energy restorer, increasing energy and being particularly useful in sports recovery.

Data suggests that this honey can have positive effects on controlling blood sugar levels. In a clinical trial, Manuka honey resulted in a significantly reduced glycaemic index compared to sucrose or glucose. The sugars in this honey are therefore released slowly and don’t cause a sudden spike and subsequent drop in glucose levels – a plus for everyone.

Thanks to its humectant properties, Manuka honey can also moisturise thirsty skin and is increasingly used in a wide range of cosmetic products, from moisturisers to shampoos and lip products.

New Zealand Manuka honey is the world’s only 100% natural food scientifically proven to possess high-quality natural bioactivity.

Globally recognised as one of the most exceptional foods, it is suitable for a wide range of consumers, including: individuals aged one year or older; with a glycaemic index of 54–59, Manuka honey can be included in diets for people with diabetes when blood sugar levels are carefully managed; and it is also suitable for animals (in appropriate situations).

As a natural substance, Manuka honey is considered safe for consumption. However, there are very rare cases of allergic reactions. It may also interact with various medications, particularly those used in chemotherapy. Therefore, it is important to inform your doctor or pharmacist about all medications, dietary supplements, and natural remedies you are taking to avoid potential interactions.