Mānuka Honey

The antibacterial and many other healthy properties of Mānuka Honey have made this unique New Zealand natural product highly valued in recent years, both as a food and ingredient in natural health products. Like other honeys, it has antibacterial and wound healing properties. But there’s something unique about the Mānuka tree that seems to contribute to more potent therapeutic properties than those shown by other types of honeys(1).

The ability of certain forms of Mānuka Honey to act as healing agents for wounds and ulcers is also increasingly recognised. Clinical trials have found Mānuka Honey dressings to have good healing properties in chronic leg ulcers and other stubborn skin wounds.

Mānuka Honey is made by honey bees after collecting nectar from                                                                                                                   the New Zealand native tree Mānuka (Leptospermum scoparium),                                                                                                               which grows plentifully in most parts of New Zealand.

Use for winter bugs
The benefits of honey as a winter remedy, particularly in children, have become increasingly apparent in recent years. At least four scientific studies with favourable results have been published, using different types of honey(2-8) It’s also a much more natural sweetening agent than sugar, used in many syrups to mask the taste of the ingredients they contain.

Safety of honey in little ones
Concerns have been expressed around the safety of using honey in little ones less than 1 year old. This is due to the possible presence of Clostridium botulinum spores, the bacteria responsible for an extremely rare condition in little ones: infant botulism. This illness typically affects babies between 3 weeks and 6 months old as they lack the gut microflora which controls the replication of the bacteria after ingestion of the spores. Worldwide, the level and frequency of spores found in honey is generally low and 90% of the reported cases of infant botulism have occurred in the US, especially California.

However, there have been no notifications of human botulism in New Zealand since records began in 1987. Small scale environmental testing for C. botulinum has failed to identify strains responsible for infant botulinum in the New Zealand environment. This suggests the risk of contamination of New Zealand-produced honeys is extremely low. 

The routine testing of honey for Clostridia spores is not an industry norm in New Zealand, as extraction and processing practices are used as the principle control measures. However, as our wee ones are so precious to us, here at Kiwiherb we take the precautionary step of testing all of our honey for the presence of Clostridium botulinum spores, providing additional assurance it can be safely incorporated into our products.

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Frequently asked questions

What is mānuka honey good for?


Mānuka honey is a unique New Zealand honey made by bees that gather nectar from the flowers of the native mānuka tree (Leptospermum scoparium). It’s best known for its natural antibacterial activity, which sets it apart from ordinary honey. Mānuka honey is traditionally used to soothe sore throats and coughs, support immune health and digestive wellbeing, and, in medical-grade form, to support the healing of wounds and burns.

What do UMF and MGO mean on mānuka honey?


UMF and MGO are grading systems that show the strength of a mānuka honey’s natural antibacterial activity. MGO stands for methylglyoxal, the key compound behind mānuka honey’s unique properties, and the number shows how many milligrams are present per kilogram. UMF (Unique Mānuka Factor) is a quality trademark that tests for methylglyoxal along with other markers that confirm authenticity and freshness. As a rough guide, UMF 10+ is equivalent to around MGO 263, and UMF 20+ to around MGO 829. The higher the number, the stronger and more potent the honey.

How do I know my mānuka honey is genuine?


All mānuka honey exported from New Zealand must meet a scientific definition set by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), which tests for specific natural chemical markers and mānuka pollen DNA. Honey that passes is classified as either monofloral mānuka honey, which has a stronger mānuka character, or multifloral mānuka honey, which contains a blend of other floral sources. When buying, look for “Made in New Zealand,” a clear UMF or MGO rating, and whether it’s labelled monofloral or multifloral.

Is mānuka honey good for sore throats?


Yes, mānuka honey is a popular natural remedy for sore throats and coughs. Its thick texture coats and soothes the throat, while its natural antibacterial properties offer added support. You can take a spoonful on its own, stir it into warm (not boiling) water with lemon or ginger, or choose lozenges and cough syrups made with mānuka honey. Adding it to drinks below boiling point helps preserve its natural properties.

Are there any side effects of mānuka honey?


Mānuka honey is safe for most people when enjoyed in normal amounts. Like all honey, it should never be given to babies under 12 months old, due to the risk of infant botulism. Because it’s high in natural sugars, people with diabetes should check with their healthcare professional before using it regularly, and anyone allergic to bees or honey should avoid it. For wounds or burns, use only sterile, medical-grade mānuka honey products, not honey from the pantry, and see your healthcare professional for anything more than a minor wound.

References:

  1. Molan P, Rhodes T. Wounds 2015; 27(6):141-151.
  2. Oduwole O, Meremikwu MM, Oyo-Ita A, Udoh EE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2014 Dec 23;(12):CD007094.
  3. Ayazi P, Mahyar A, Yousef-Zanjani M, Allami A, Esmailzadehha N, Beyhaghi T,. PLoS One 2017; 12(1):e0170277.
  4. Paul IM et al, Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2007; 161:1140-1146.
  5. Paul IM. Lung 2012; 190(1):41-44.
  6. Shadkam MN et al, J Altern Complement Med 2010; 16(7):787-793.
  7. Cohen HA et al, Pediatrics 2012; 130:465-471.
  8. Goldman RD, Can Family Physician 2014; 60, 1107-1110