Manuka honey is found in New Zealand where the bees pollinate the manuka bush, which is local to the mentioned country. According to its advocates, the honey can treat infections and even serious diseases, such as diabetes and cancer.
Honey’s Healing Power
It is not new that honey has some medicinal uses. In fact, it has been used since the ancient times to cure different sicknesses and conditions. But the researchers looked deeper into it and its healing properties only in the late 19th century. It was then discovered that the gooey liquid has natural antibacterial powers. This means that honey can protect the body against diseases caused by bacteria. There are also types of honey that have the ability to stimulate the production of specific cells in the body, so that tissue repair caused by infection will be much faster.
Honey is also known for its anti-inflammatory benefits that can help get rid of inflammation and pain. You can either apply it topically or consume honey. Older people also think that honey can help cure colds. This is partly true because science has proven that honey can indeed treat colds, especially when combined with lemon juice.
Manuka Honey Benefits
This type of honey, just like most types, contains hydrogen peroxide, which is one of its major components. What hydrogen peroxide does is that it provides honey its antibiotic properties. But what sets manuka honey apart is that it also has other components that give it its antibacterial qualities. One is methylglyoxal or MG, which is a compound that comes from dihydroxyacetone, which is found in the nectar of the flowers of the manuka bush. MG gives manuka honey its antibiotic effect as well.
Due to the antibiotic and antibacterial properties of this type of honey, it has been studied by many experts. The Food Chemistry journal as well as the Immunopharmacology and Immunotoxicology journal published the possible medicinal uses of manuka honey, in which they included the following:
- Treatment for ulcers
- Heartburn cure
- Relief from diarrhea
- Protection against gastrointestinal tract issues, including gastritis
- Prevention of diseases of the throat and the eyes
Aside from those above, experts are studying the possibility of the manuka honey to prevent the following conditions:
- High cholesterol
- Systemic inflammation
- Sinus infections
While there is not enough proof that manuka honey can treat the conditions above, there are several recent studies that show this honey is effective on curing wounds as well as leg ulcers. It also promotes faster healing and can fight infection.