Results from Manuka honey vary by use: you might see soothing effects on a sore throat or minor skin irritation within days, while improvements for acne or wounds can take 1-4 weeks, with deeper issues like chronic wounds or systemic gut health potentially needing weeks to months of consistent use for significant change, depending on severity and individual healing.
Manuka honey should start working straight away. For wound and burn care the area should be soothed and show noticeable changes overnight. For skin conditions it should soothes the skin quickly and then might take a few applications to get a good result.
Manuka honey has natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that may help heal small wounds, ease sore throats, and support oral health. It might also calm acne and hydrate your skin. A higher UMF™ rating means stronger antibacterial effects.
Depending on what you're using manuka honey for, the time of day that you take it may help get you the best results. Taking manuka honey in the morning or pre-workout can give you an energy boost. You can also take it in the evening as part of your wind-down ritual.
Manuka honey boasts many natural, beneficial properties that make it healthy, too. Eating it regularly in small amounts (a spoonful a day) is recommended. If you're using it as an alternative to sugar and natural sweeteners, manuka honey is absolutely the best option. Let's draw some inspiration from Oscar Wilde here.
Since manuka honey contains high levels of MG, we speculate that patients with diabetes may be at risk due to either the direct negative effect of MG on cells and components in the wound or the indirect formation of AGEs, which could impair the wound-healing process.
Does manuka honey need to be refrigerated? No, you should avoid refrigerating your manuka honey. It is best stored in a cool, dark place like a cupboard or pantry. Refrigeration of any honey — not just the special manuka variety — can cause crystallisation.
Consume it on an empty stomach in the morning, or add to a warm (not hot) herbal tea. Avoid exposing Mānuka honey to high heat, as this can degrade its beneficial compounds.
There is some evidence that honey and especially manuka honey may help treat gut infections caused by bacterial strains like clostridium difficile. One benefit is that it appears to shorten the duration of symptoms such as diarrhoea.
Or if you prefer, you could take approximately 3 teaspoons per day. Some customers like to spread their Manuka throughout their meals. Starting the day with a teaspoon mixed into hot drinks or drizzled over their breakfast, and then another before bed time to help sooth a throat before you go to sleep.
General Wellness Support. Manuka honey provides a steady, natural energy source that's lower on the glycemic index than table sugar. That means it offers slow-release energy to help you feel balanced throughout the day. Its antioxidant content also supports overall well-being.
The "best" strength of Manuka honey depends on your goal: lower MGO (30+ to 100+) is great for daily wellness, toast, or drinks; medium strengths (MGO 250+ to 500+) suit sore throats, minor cuts, or digestive issues; while high strengths (MGO 850+ to 1000+ and above) offer potent antibacterial action for severe wounds, ulcers, or specific therapeutic needs, with higher numbers indicating stronger antibacterial potency.
How to identify authentic Manuka honey from New Zealand
Studies show that manuka honey has a higher pH and sugar content than other varieties of honey, which may contribute to its antibacterial activity. These benefits make manuka honey especially useful for addressing minor skin irritations and concerns, like acne.
Infected wounds
Manuka honey has been found to continue to be effective in treating the infections caused by these bacteria. 5 If the wound is open and infected then ensure you clean the wound well, use a strong MGO honey and ensure the entire infected area is covered.
A spoonful of mānuka honey before or after meals could help your system process food more efficiently and reduce the chance of fermentation in your gut, which is a common source of gas and bloating.
Oregano. Oregano oil is one of the most common substances used to treat SIBO. One study found it to be even more effective than pharmaceutical antibiotics for killing off wayward microbes in the small intestine (Source: NCBI).
It is particularly used for lungs and intestines. In fact, it is used as a laxative in case of constipation, as an emollient in chronic bronchitis, it relieves inflammation of the mouth and throat, while it is not recommended in case of chronic diarrhea and in newborns as they are very sensitive to its laxative action.
Numerous in vivo studies using animal models show that honey acts as a prebiotic, specifically by promoting the populations of probiotic bacteria, including Bifidobacterium spp. and Lactobacillus spp., (104, 106, 107, 119), and alleviating symptoms of constipation and ulcerative colitis (107, 119).
Packed with natural sugars, enzymes, vitamins, and minerals, honey is considered a source of easily digestible energy. Honey is frequently added to dishes designed to support the spleen and stomach, which are the central organs of digestion and energy production in TCM theory.
Safety and side effects
A study by the National Centre for Biotechnology Information in 2017 suggested that Manuka honey can help to promote a deep and restful slumber by slowly releasing glycogen which is needed for essential bodily functions during sleep.
After a couple of weeks of including Manuka honey in your routine, you may start to notice some potential benefits. Manuka contains a wide range of unique nutrients that help: Support your natural, healthy immune response. Naturally boost energy levels.
Although you can add it to smoothies, oatmeal or yoghurt, the best way to take Manuka Honey is straight from the jar. It is recommended to take it once in the morning and once at night. It is safe to have 2 to 4 teaspoons (10 to 20 mL) of Manuka Honey daily, but always remember to moderate how much you consume.
A honey well known for its antibacterial properties is manuka honey, which is obtained from manuka bush (Leptospermum scoparium) and contains substantial amounts of methylglyoxal (MGO). Methylglyoxal harbors selective toxicity to bacterial cells, causing bacterial cell death and inhibition of bacterial replication.