Honey has been used for its nutritional and medical benefits by most cultures for thousands of years. Samples of honey taken from inside Egyptian pyramids were dated at 3,000 years old. As honey is anti-bacterial it hadn’t deteriorated and was still edible.

All honey has antibacterial and antimicrobial elements. The Chinese learned that long before the effects of Mānuka honey became known. Given that Mānuka honey in particular has the highest known number of antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, it is reasonable to conclude that it will be substantially more effective than ordinary (generic) honey.

Mānuka honey’s healing merits have been scientifically proven, but also consider:

“There are times when our ability to explain things in medical terms can’t be done because there have not been rigorous ‘scientific’ studies to provide the information. Human experience is also an important judge. People in China didn’t need a Western medical authority to tell them whether or not honey is good for the stomach or explain exactly the components involved. They have been taking it for centuries for indigestion, arguably as long as honey has been used in the West for wounds and burns. Honey is an important component of Chinese medicine and they have no doubts that it works.”

Extracted from “Mānuka the Biography of an Extraordinary Honey” by Cliff van Eaton 2014. This book was a finalist in the Royal Society of New Zealand Science Book of the Year awards in 2015.

Health problems that Manuka honey provide relief or cure include:

Coughs and colds

Oxford University scientists have systematically reviewed the results of 14 previous studies and have concluded that honey is better for coughs and colds than drugs. Given that Manuka honey has the highest known antibacterial agents than any other honey, we think it should do a better job – especially in the light of what has been found in relation to Mānuka honey and respiratory problems (below).

More can be read at this link:
https://www.sciencealert.com/the-science-says-honey-is-still-the-best-way-to-treat-minor-coughs-and-colds

Upper respiratory infections

There have been many reviews of the efficacy of Mānuka and ordinary honey to cure or relieve upper respiratory infections. One is quoted above, and here is another:
Effectiveness of honey for symptomatic relief in upper respiratory tract infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis – PubMed (nih.gov)

A recent study is most revealing. Experts at Swansea University, using lung tissue from pigs infected with bacteria mimicking symptoms seen in cystic fibrosis patients, found that when treated with Mānuka honey, these outcomes resulted:

• On its own. Mānuka honey killed 39% of antimicrobial resistant bacteria compared with 29% for conventional drugs (a 34% improvement);
• When Mānuka honey was combined with some conventional drugs which were not effective, the combination killed 90% of the bacteria tested.

More can be read at this link: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/05/190529131142.htm

The research is not complete – we are not aware of trials on humans – but it does reinforce what has been learned from the previous work with Mānuka honey and suggests that Mānuka honey may be useful in treating upper respiratory infections other than cystic fibrosis, and coughs and colds. It may also act as a catalyst to enhance the performance of some drugs that are not otherwise effective.

Wound treatment

There is considerable evidence of the wound healing qualities of Mānuka honey where the application of the honey has cured wounds, ulcers and bed sores that were not responding to conventional antibiotics.

The landmark evidence of this was in England, where the wounds from amputated lower legs and fingertips of a young boy wouldn’t heal after 9 months of various treatments. Mānuka honey was applied, and the wounds were completely healed within 9 weeks. The achievement was so novel at the time that the BBC made a documentary about it. A book, now out of print, describes the matter well.

This link to an English newspaper (The Express) tells the story. (Ignore the advertisements):
https://express.co.uk.trem.media/life-style/health/545428/Olympian-Aaron-Phipps-life-saved-honey

Mānuka honey is now used in hospitals in New Zealand and overseas. As can be seen from the illustrations at this link, it can be applied at home. (Warning: Some people might find the pictures disturbing. They are of the healing of flesh-eating wounds on a leg before, during and after application of Mānuka honey UMF 20+.)

The US Federal Drug Administration has approved Mānuka honey for wound healing.

Gastric disorders

All honey has antibacterial and antimicrobial elements. The Chinese learned that long before Mānuka honey came on the scene. It makes sense that honey with considerably greater antibacterial and antimicrobial qualities will do a better job, and that is what has been found. It is well known that generic honey is effective in the treatment of gastroenteritis and by the same reasoning, Mānuka honey will do a better job.

The experience of the founder of Waitemata Honey Co Ltd reinforces these observations. He suffered from stomach ulcers and the only relief he could get was from Mānuka honey. Other varieties of honey had no effect.

Skin disorders

Mānuka honey is being used in many popular brands of face cream because it can help clear skin. Try Mānuka honey without additives. It might be sticky, but it would be a more cost-effective way of eliminating pimples and other facial problems.