The Manuka Honey Factor

For a product typically used to sweeten your tea, HNZ Manuka Honey has beyond-the-ordinary medicinal and healing properties. This honey is a dark, creamy variety that is made exclusively from the New Zealand Manuka tree, an evergreen that produces intensely scented flowers in summer. What makes it healing is its Unique Manuka Factor (UMF), found only in select honeys. Dr. Peter Molan, a researcher at Waikato University in New Zealand, who has spent the past 20 years studying the benefits of UMF Manuka Honey, says the higher the UMF, the higher its antibacterial properties, making it useful to treat sore throats, colds, coughs, sinus infections and flu symptoms. You’ll want to look for a UMF rated Active Manuka Honey between 16-18.

While standard honey has been used to heal topical wounds—primarily because it keeps wounds moist and nurtures new tissue growth with vitamins and amino acids—Active Manuka Honey’s higher antibacterial properties allow it to destroy bacteria that are responsible for infecting wounds. It’s also a natural skin moisturizer that has the ability to draw water molecules into the skin, and has anti-inflammatory properties that act as a natural pain reliever. –Denise Shoukas

Denise Shoukas is a regular foodspring.com contributor and is the author of foodspring’s food forager blog.