Honey contains naturally occurring bioactive agents that support food health. The substances, however, are easily destroyed by exposure to heat and light. Manuka honey contains an agent that does not lose its potency when exposed to such conditions.
This special quality is referred to as the unique manuka factor(UMF). UMF is a registered name coined by Dr. Peter Molan and his research team, who undertook studies on manuka honey at Waikato University in New Zealand.
It is now an industry registered quality trademark and grading system that denotes natural unadulterated manuka honey containing special UMF properties only present in some strains of the honey.
Only manuka honey tested and packed in New Zealand qualify for the UMF quality grading system, which is only authorized to licensed New Zealand companies that meet the criteria.
Benefits of Manuka Honey
1. Wounds
Honey, since time immemorial, has been used in the treatment of burns and wounds. Manuka honey, however, has some extraordinary properties that make it more effective for the job than ordinary honey. Manuka honey has a hygroscopic property that renders it effective in the treatment of wounds.
This aids in drawing out water and pus from the area, making it difficult for microbes to survive. In addition to this, on contact with water and bodily fluids, hydrogen peroxide present in the honey releases oxygen and thus disinfects the wound.
Manuka honey has been proven effective against methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Vancomycin-resistant enterococci due to the presence of methylglyoxal(MGO). Due to its rich antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties, manuka honey has been used in dressing wounds to hasten and improve healing.
2. Dental Health
A study carried out in New Zealand at Otago university by the school of dentistry showed that eating manuka honey and chewing propolis resulted in a 35% decrease in plaque formation and also reduced the bleeding sites of individuals suffering from gingivitis.
It puzzles the mind that something sweet like honey could actually promote dental health. However, here is the catch: Manuka honey contains calcium, phosphorus, and zinc, which are a prerequisite for the formation of strong, healthy teeth.
To add on to all this, its antimicrobial properties due to the enzyme glucose oxidase gives it further credit.
3. Beauty
One of the natural ways to enhance beauty is by the use of manuka honey. It has a ph of about 4.5 (acidic), which lowers skin ph. High ph exposes one to eczema and other skin conditions.
Furthermore, manuka honey’s hygroscopic nature is put to use effectively as it aids in drawing out grime and dirt that are trapped in the hair follicles, facilitating the free flow of natural oils.
Being a natural product, it can be used on a regular basis since it is mild in nature. It can be used in homemade face cleansers to fight free radicals and exfoliate damaged skin and in shampoos and hair mask to boost the natural spark in hair.
4. Sinusitis
Chronic sinusitis can take weeks to clear. This happens despite the use of antibiotics, which prove ineffective over time. Antibiotics are ineffective due to the formation of biofilms with matrixes of polysaccharides in the chambers of the sinuses, which prevents the antibiotics from reaching the target sites.
With manuka honey, however, this can be addressed since it has hygroscopic properties which destroy the bacterial biofilms and hence alleviate the congestion. MGO in manuka honey also helps in fighting staphylococcus aureus and pseudomonas aeruginosa, which are susceptible to it.
5. Skin Conditions
Eczema and hives are often the results of autoimmunity or allergic reactions. This condition is usually characterized by severe skin dryness and scaling. Oozing can result from scratching the affected areas, which predisposes individuals to secondary infections.
Manuka honey, due to its antimicrobial properties, offers a solution. Many testimonials by manuka honey users report relief after applying honey over the affected areas and washing it off minutes later with mild soap.
Rosacea is also another skin condition characterized by enlarged skin pores which eventually become red and inflamed, resulting in scarring and disfigurement of the nose, cheeks, and chin. This condition has no remedy, but the use of manuka honey shows great prospects since it almost restores skin texture in the long run.
Its anti-inflammatory properties reduce redness and soreness while its cleansing properties help in cleaning the pores and reducing their size. Its antimicrobial and antifungal properties help in keeping in check microorganisms that complicate rosacea.
Manuka honey of UMF 15-20 is recommended. However, you should check your skin sensitivity with a patch test before attempting to use it.
6. Nutrition And Immunity
Manuka honey has an excellent nutritional profile. Honey has sodium, potassium, zinc, calcium, amino acids, copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, and B vitamins just to mention a few. Manuka honey, however, has four times these nutrients as compared to regular honey from flowers.
This makes it very important as a nutritional supplement. The high nutrition of manuka honey is somewhat responsible for reports of improved immunity of individuals who use it, exhibited by the increased resistance to ailments.
In addition to all these, lab tests have revealed that manuka honey contains substances that can provoke cytokine production. Boosting immunity helps in fighting the seasonal common cold and flu and also relieving sore throats.
Taking manuka honey also aids in relieving gastritis and also in preventing small intestine bacterial overgrowth, low stomach acid, and acid reflux, which usually manifest at the same time.
Top Unique Manuka Factor Products
1. GoodOnYa
Raw manuka honey UMF 12+ (This is a good UMF rating for use as a facial mask. It is pure, natural, and organic from New Zealand). You can purchase this honey online for $12.81/ounce.
2. Manuka Health
This product is MGO 400+ manuka honey. It is 100% pure New Zealand Manuka honey. You can purchase 250g online for $44.61.
3. Comvita Manuka Honey
This Manuka Honey is UMF 15+ and is pure, organic New Zealand honey. It can be purchase online for $49.25 for 250g.
Side Effects
Manuka honey is usually safe for consumption by most people. However, those who are allergic to bees and bee products should exercise caution in using these products and report any adverse reactions to a health care provider.
Those individuals suffering from diabetes should consult their medical practitioners before using any of these products. Manuka honey has also a bitter taste which might take time getting used to.
It can, however, be consumed safely by adults and children above one year old. Infants are not to be given any form of honey, not even manuka honey, because of doctors’ warnings of the risk of botulism.
Unique Manuka Factor Review Summary
UMF in specific manuka honey and honey products proves very beneficial to our health. The fact that it is a natural remedy with limited side effects is proof of nature’s diverse ways of taking care of itself. We should attempt to the best of our abilities to make use of natural remedies that nature provides in order to live a healthy and productive life.
