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Why is manuka honey so expensive?
Manuka honey is high-quality honey produced by the bees that pollinate the flowers of the Leptospermum scoparium bush. Manuka honey is so expensive because it's a honey that's primarily made from the nectar of one plant that only blooms for 2 to 6 weeks per year.
Manuka honey is high-quality honey produced by the bees that pollinate the flowers of the Leptospermum scoparium bush. Leptospermum scoparium is commonly called manuka, Manuka myrtle, or the New Zealand tea tree, being native to New Zealand and some areas of Australia.
Manuka is the Maori name for Leptospermum scoparium. It's commonly written as manuka in English, without the diacritical mark. manuka is prized in Maori culture, where it's called taonga, meaning treasure.
Manuka honey is valued highly worldwide and can cost as much as 100 times more than regular honey.
manuka honey is a monofloral honey — honey that's primarily made from the nectar of one plant — and can only be made in remote areas with an abundance of manuka blossoms. The manuka flower blooms for only 2 to 6 weeks each year.
What are the health benefits of manuka honey?
Honey is likely one of the oldest medicinal treatments — stone age paintings depict honey being used to treat diseases 8000 years ago. manuka honey has traditionally been used for various medicinal purposes, including burn and wound care, dental care, and as a remedy for a sore throat.
Manuka honey is currently being studied for its potential use as a treatment for various health conditions, including diabetes, cancer, asthma, and cardiovascular and neurological disease.
While more research is needed in many areas, many manuka honey health benefits are evidentially supported, including:
Manuka Honey for Wound Healing
Manuka honey is an effective antibacterial treatment for many bacterial pathogens, including some that show resistance to antibiotics.
Manuka honey is antibacterial thanks to a compound called methylglyoxal (MGO) — the more MGO manuka honey contains, the stronger its antibacterial properties. In general, manuka honey is about 100 times as strongly antibacterial as other types of honey.
In addition to preventing and treating infections, manuka honey may speed up the healing process. Manuka honey is more acidic than other types of honey, which allows it to facilitate a more desirable environment for wound healing. MGO in manuka honey has been shown to promote tissue regeneration by activating the body's immune system.
Manuka honey has anti-inflammatory properties and may help reduce pain from wounds. In a 2019 study published in the Journal of Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery, manuka honey was shown to effectively relieve post-surgical pain following dental surgery.
Manuka Honey for Cancer Treatment
While more research is needed, manuka honey shows promise as an anti-cancer treatment. Intravenous injection of manuka honey has been shown to promote cell death of cancer cells. This is similar to how many chemotherapy drugs treat cancer today, and these anti-cancer properties of manuka honey make it a promising natural cancer treatment for the future.
Manuka honey is not, however, a substitute for standard cancer treatment. If you have cancer, consult your oncologist to determine the best course of treatment.
Manuka Honey for Ulcers
Manuka honey may be effective in treating both diabetes-related and gastric ulcers. Combining manuka honey with conventional ulcer treatments may help heal diabetic ulcers — open sores typically located on the foot — faster than conventional treatment alone.
Manuka Honey for Skin Care and Acne Treatment
manuka honey shows promise as a skincare product. It is moisturizing thanks to the sugars and amino acids found in honey, and its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties may help treat and prevent acne.
Manuka honey's pain-relieving properties may be an effective form of pain relief for people with cystic acne or other painful skin conditions.
Manuka honey is also potentially an effective treatment for atopic dermatitis — commonly called eczema — and has been shown to significantly reduce skin lesions in eczema patients.
Flavonoids and polyphenols, antioxidants present in manuka honey, may help protect your skin from oxidative stress from external sources like pollution and sun exposure.
Manuka Honey for a Sore Throat
Honey is a common home remedy for a sore throat, and manuka honey's antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and pain-relieving properties may make it especially effective for treating a sore throat.
Is manuka honey right for me?
If you're considering using manuka honey to treat a health problem, talk to your doctor to find out if manuka honey is a good treatment option for you. manuka honey should not be used, though, by:
- Babies Under 1 Year Old: Honey isn't recommended for babies under 1 due to the risk of infant botulism, a bacterial infection that comes from eating contaminated foods.
- People With Diabetes: While honey is being studied for its potential in treating diabetes, it's still a high-sugar product. If you have diabetes, don't introduce manuka honey without talking to your doctor about potential benefits and risks.
