Manuka Honey Benefits

If you have never thought of honey as a healing treatment, then you are not alone. Many people view honey as a sweet treat and nothing else. Manuka honey is a specific type of honey that, while sweet and delicious, also has incredible healing properties.

Definition

• Manuka honey is a type of monofloral honey. Monofloral honey is honey produced by bees that only feed on one type of plant. Manuka honey is produced by bees that feed off of the manuka plant, also known as the tea tree.

Identification

• Manuka honey is dark in color and has a rich taste and smell similar to other tea tree products. Manuka honey will be labeled specifically as manuka honey or as UMF honey. UMF stands for Unique Manuka Factor.

External Uses

• Manuka honey has naturally antibacterial properties and can be used in wound dressing to prevent infection. This form of honey has uses as a wound disinfectant and has been shown to be effective against antibiotic-resistant infections. It has been used to treat cuts, burns, wounds, acne, abscesses, cracked skin, and other external injuries and infections.

Internal Uses

• Manuka honey stimulates the immune system and helps the body deal with infections. It also promotes the rehydration of the body, helping to treat and cure diarrhea, vomiting and stomach upsets. Sore throats, colds, indigestion, eye infections and even Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) have all been treated with manuka honey.

Types

• Some of the commercial products that may contain manuka honey are acne creams, anti-fungal solutions, anti-itch creams, antiseptic sprays, anti-wrinkle serums, antiseptic lotions, hand sanitizing gels, liquid hand soaps and pain relief creams.