A healthy alternative to processed sugar is manuka honey. Here is everything you need to know about organic manuka honey, including how to identify it, its benefits, and some factors that might help you buy the perfect manuka honey for you. Let's start.
What makes organic manuka honey so unique?
Manuka honey is premium honey harvested in New Zealand and Australia, where wild bees are primary pollinators. They feed on the manuka bush, and so we get manuka honey. Manuka honey offers plenty of herbal and medicinal benefits, unlike regular honey. One cannot rely on antibiotics all the time, so it is better to have an alternative full of antioxidants. Manuka honey also works like a charm on burns or wounds, and can actually heal certain skin conditions.
What are some benefits of organic manuka honey?
As we have given you a hint about the benefits of organic manuka honey, let's discuss some benefits in detail so you can use it appropriately.
Best for skincare
Manuka honey has been used for ages as an antioxidant to treat acne and other skin conditions like eczema. Most of the time, people feel anxious about putting something on their skin that might result in further damage. But fear not, manuka honey treats inflammation and irritation from acne, and a 15-minute mask will give a gentle effect to your skin. Manuka honey is also known for reversing the effects of aging.
Improves digestions
Speaking of inflammation, manuka honey is also beneficial for your gut and boosts the immune system. The healing properties help with heartburn and indigestion. Just add a teaspoon's worth to your tea or milk and drink it up, and you'll feel it work its magic after a few minutes.
Prevent oral infections
As mentioned, manuka honey has antibacterial properties. It is also used to treat gum swelling and throat infections. We know how hard it is when one is struggling with a sore throat. You can't eat, you can't drink, and let's not get started with sleep disruption. If you feel like you have caught any such infection, just take a spoonful of manuka honey and the symptoms will ease in a day or two.
Help with wounds
You will be amazed to know that aside from its other medicinal benefits, manuka honey helps with wound care because of its tissue regeneration properties. Micro-level cuts that do not require a visit to the doctor can easily be healed with manuka honey. But please don't apply it directly to the wound. Make sure to put it on the bandage and then put it on the wound.
Analyze organic manuka honey by learning the grading systems
You might have heard about certain manuka honey options that are labeled UMF 20+. But what exactly is UMF 20+? And how does it compare to other types of honey? UMF measures the anti-bacterial activity of manuka honey. You might see UMF5+, 10+, or even 30+ on the label. A higher UMF number means that the honey has superior antibacterial potency.
Just like UMF, MGO is another factor in analyzing organic manuka honey. Methylglyoxal is also known for its medicinal/antibacterial properties. To keep things simple, a higher MGO rating indicates how effective the honey is.
Moving forward, we have the last grading system: K-factor. K-factor has nothing to do with the antibacterial properties; rather, it indicates the pollen content of the honey. It was created by Wedderspoon and shows how raw and pure the honey is.
Tips for choosing the best organic manuka honey
There are many things one should consider before rushing to the store and buying organic manuka honey. Let's examine of some of them.
- Make sure the manuka honey you're looking at originates directly from the source. There are only two countries in the world where the manuka bush exists naturally: New Zealand and Australia. If the honey in question is not a product of either of those two countries, it's not genuine manuka honey.
- You might also want to check the label for ensuring the K-factor, UMO and MGO of manuka honey.
- If you are buying it for medical uses, make sure it has higher UMF and MGO.
- Last but not least, you have to compromise on the taste. Manuka honey tends to provide a more bitter taste than standard honey, but will do fine if you are using it as a sweetener.
Organic Manuka Honey FAQ
Q: How long can you preserve manuka honey?
A: The shelf life of manuka honey is three years maximum after opening the jar. Keep it away from sunlight exposure and store it in a cool spot. Try to close the lid tightly after every use.
Q: Are there any side effects of using organic manuka honey?
A: There are no known side effects associated with using manuka honey, but we always recommend consulting a doctor if you're not sure. If you're allergic to regular honey, you may have an allergic reaction to manuka honey as well.
Q: Does the taste of organic manuka honey differ from organic honey?
A: Yes. Although both the consistency and texture are the same, manuka honey has a relatively bitter taste. Despite the bitter taste, it has many advantages that one cannot ignore.