Originating from New Zealand, Manuka honey is renowned for its exceptional properties. This rare honey is increasingly popular, even in the Netherlands. What makes this honey so special?

Manuka Honey is Rare

Manuka honey comes from New Zealand and is produced by bees that feed on the nectar of the Manuka bush's flowers. The Maori used the bush as a natural medicine. Today, Manuka honey and tea tree products are made from the bush. The honey is produced only a few weeks a year, making it a rare product.

Effects of Manuka Honey

Manuka honey is distinguished by its naturally strong bioactive ingredients, being very rich in proteins, vitamins, and minerals. Back in 1982, Peter Molan from the University of Waikato in Hamilton, New Zealand, discovered the special properties of Manuka honey. In 2008, Thomas Henle from the Technical University of Dresden identified MGO (methylglyoxal) as the main active component of Manuka honey.

Beautiful Skin

You can also apply the honey to your skin. In a 2017 study involving patients who had undergone eye surgery, one group was given Manuka honey to apply to the wound, while the other group used Vaseline. The results showed that Manuka honey resulted in less noticeable scars and reduced scar stiffness compared to Vaseline. You can also use Manuka as a face mask, as it nourishes, soothes, and supports the healing capacity of sensitive skin.

Which Manuka Honey Should You Choose?

As previously mentioned, Thomas Henle identified MGO as the main component of Manuka honey. Want to know if you have a good quality product? Check the MGO value. The higher it is, the more beneficial substances it contains. Furthermore, it's important that the honey is produced respectfully. Some brands, for instance, are committed to sustainability in beekeeping, harvesting, and processing. Often, these companies do not use chemicals in the processing of the honey, resulting in the purest honey.

Is Manuka Honey Cold-Extracted?

Sometimes you'll read on a jar of honey that it is raw or cold-extracted. This means the honey has not been heated during processing. When honey is heated above 40 degrees, enzymes are lost, and you miss some of the honey's potency. This also applies to using honey in baked goods or tea. Want to benefit from its powerful effects? Use it unheated.

Author: Nicole Langedijk