What is Manuka Honey?
Manuka Honey has been used since ancient times for all manner of ailments and is said to have great health and antibacterial benefits. Many believe it to be effective for treating everything from a sore throat through to clearing blemishes on the skin. A specialised honey, it is antibacterial and bacterial resistant. This means that bacteria shouldn’t be able to build up a tolerance to its antibacterial effects.
We love this article from the team over at Manuka Health NZ. We stock this range, alongside others in store.
What is Manuka Honey?
This rare and special New Zealand honey is made from the nectar of the native Manuka plant (Leptospermum scoparium), which our clever bees collect and transform into Manuka honey, highly valued for its rare and complex properties.
The native Manuka tree (Leptospermum scoparium) is uniquely adapted to thrive in New Zealand’s challenging natural environment. Hardy and resilient, Manuka acts as a natural protector and regenerator of the land.
Manuka has a long history as a respected medicinal plant, traditionally used by the New Zealand Maori people as a remedy. Manuka honey’s special qualities come from the Manuka flower nectar, which contributes unique natural compounds that make Manuka Honey so different from other honeys.
The stages of development of the Manuka flower – helps to guide us in making the best quality honey
Manuka honey is rare – it is only made in New Zealand, and can only be made for a few weeks a year when the Manuka plant is in flower.
As spring turns to summer and the weather warms, the increasing temperatures cause the Manuka plants in the far north of New Zealand to begin producing flowers. As the warm weather spreads down the country, so the Manuka blooms follow. There are around 25 days from the first sign of a flower bud to a stage 5 flower which no longer produces nectar. That doesn’t leave a lot of time for our beekeepers to move and place their beehives, and for the bees to gather the nectar! During the season our beekeepers often work tirelessly around the clock, even using helicopters to move beehives to challenging, remote locations.
Weather conditions have to be just right for the bees to make Manuka honey - strong winds will blow the Manuka flowers from the plants, while rain keeps the bees from venturing outside of their hives. The amount of honey produced by a beehive, and the overall honey production each season, can vary greatly depending on weather conditions and how much nectar is produced by the plants. The required alignment of particular conditions in nature as well as good planning and fast action from our beekeepers are key factors in making this honey so rare and costly.
How to best enjoy MGO Manuka Honey
Our MGO Manuka Honey can easily fit into your self-care routine. The best way to enjoy it is right off the spoon or mixed in warm water. It also makes a great replacement for refined sugar in warm drinks, as well as the perfect accompaniment to breakfast foods and smoothies.
Our MGO Manuka Honey also makes a great natural boost before or after a workout, as well as a wholesome addition to kid’s lunches.
Avoid exposure to high heat to protect the natural properties of the honey.
Wound Care and Healing
Manuka honey has powerful and long lasting antibacterial activity when applied to wounds and broken skin. Clinical studies show it is effective against a wide variety of bacteria including antibiotic-resistant strains.
Manuka honey also has a direct soothing action and stimulates natural repair and healing when applied topically, speeding the healing process and helping to prevent scarring. It has a debriding action to help clear the wound site while protecting the new healthy tissue, and draws excess fluid away while still maintaining a moist, low-pH wound site beneficial for healing.
Manuka Honey & Beauty
Manuka honey is a wonderful natural skin care and beautifying ingredient. It helps plump and hydrate the skin to protect against dryness. It softens and soothes the skin, great for rough skin or after environmental exposure from the sun, wind or cold.
Manuka honey aids healthy skin regeneration and gives skin a soft luminous glow for a fresh youthful complexion. Perfect for daily beauty care, as well as intensive care for extra dry, aggravated or problem skin.