Manuka honey therapeutic properties, benefits and how to best use it

Manuka honey properties: discover the properties of Manuka honey and the health benefits. Dosage and daily dose for correct beneficial use.

Among the superfoods of the moment, Manuka Honey is probably one of the most beneficial. Produced by bees, which feed on the Manuka tree, a plant native to New Zealand, the honey of the same name has numerous antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and acts on the well-being of those who take it, both if used directly on the skin and if taken via oral. In fact, it is not recommended to use Manuka honey in the kitchen, but it is recommended to use it as a real natural medicine, for healing purposes.

How Manuka honey is born

In order to be called Manuka honey, the product must contain at least 70% of pollen from the Manula tree. Sometimes it can be confused with Kanuka honey, a similar product, but obtained from bees that feed on the pollen of the Kanuka tree, which blooms in the same habitat as the Manuka tree. However, the two honeys have differences in color, flavor and consistency. Kanuka honey is light yellow in color, with a sweet and delicate flavor, while Manuka honey varies from dark cream to brown, is viscous and has a spicy and decisive flavor.

The properties of Manuka honey

The properties of Manuka Honey are numerous and in particular, the antibacterial and healing properties of inflammations and infections stand out. This is due to the action of methylglyoxal, a compound derived from pyruvic acid: in Manuka honey it is 100 times more concentrated than in traditional honey. Honey also contains the glucose oxidase enzyme, secreted by bees, which carries out an antimicrobial action in the body. Its beneficial properties are present both if Manuka honey is taken orally, and with topical use.

Manuka honey: how to use it orally

Taken orally, Manuka honey helps the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders and digestive tract ailments, including poor or slow digestion. Its use is recommended if you suffer from gastric ulcer, gastritis and gives relief in case of reflux and irritable bowel syndrome. Not only digestion: Manuka honey seems to have positive results also on some autoimmune diseases and stimulates the immune defenses, helping the response of our defenses to seasonal ailments, viruses and bacteria. In order to use it in case of digestive problems, you can take two teaspoons of Manuka honey before meals, every day. If, on the other hand, the aim is to stimulate the immune system, it can be taken regularly at the beginning of the day, pure or dissolved in an herbal tea, in a glass of warm water, or together with a fruit juice. However, Manuka honey is not only useful in prevention, but also in the treatment of sore throats, colds and minor respiratory tract problems: in these cases, it is perfect to be taken in small spoons, together with an herbal tea or a pinch of grated ginger.

Manuka honey: how to use it for topical use

Manuka honey has numerous benefits when used directly on the skin. In particular, it seems to be one of the best products to be applied on skin wounds, including surgical ones and helps the treatment of bedsores, ulcers, burns and burns. In fact, Manuka honey seems to stimulate the regeneration of tissues, thus supporting their healing and, thanks to the anti-inflammatory action, relieves wounds and small traumas, reducing pain and swelling and preventing possible infections. Thanks to its consistency, honey spreads deep into the wound, helping it to be cleaned and allowing any gauze not to stick to the skin. Healing is accelerated, avoiding the formation of unsightly scars. Manuka honey is also useful and soothing against acne, furunculosis, psoriasis and dermatitis. To take advantage of the thousand beneficial properties of Manuka honey on the skin, it is good to apply it directly on the area to be treated and let it act for at least 30 minutes. If the wounds are to be bandaged, the honey applied to the wound can be left and bandaged, to be replaced after 24 hours.

Manuka honey can also be associated with other products that can support its anti-inflammatory capacity, such as aloe vera in the case of wounds and acne problems or green tea for gastrointestinal complaints.