The incredible benefits of Manuka honey

Honey has been used for millennia for it’s sweetness as well as it’s medicinal properties. However, there’s one very particular kind of honey that eclipses all others.

Manuka honey is said to be a form of medicine

It only comes from one country in the world,  thanks to the Manuka bush which is native to New Zealand. But be warned, there are many fakes around. The fact is that there is more Manuka honey for sale globally than the country actually produces. It’s no surprise as the honey is very sought after for it’s incredible properties and is also more expensive than regular honey.

So why the hype about Manuka?

All honey has a compound called MGO (methylglyoxal) but in Manuka it’s in much higher quantities. The higher the MGO the higher the potency. Manuka comes in different strengths of MGO and the higher it is, the more effective it is and this is reflected in the price.

Manuka is derived from the nectar of the Manuka bush and has been used for centuries by the indigenous Maori people for medicinal purposes. It has antibacterial properties and can even be used on wounds to stop infection. It”s also anti-inflammatory and helps support the immune system.

Manuka is a prebiotic

It’s therefore very good for the gut as it nourishes the gut bacteria.  It’s particularly helpful to women going through the menopause who often experience bloating or constipation. It helps to ease indigestion and acid reflux as it coats the oesophagus and helps to soothe irritation caused by stomach acid. Additionally it helps enhance digestive enzymes, the production of which slows down with age. Manuka contains enzymes that actually help break down carbohydrates.

It’s very important to choose authentic Manuka honey that is bottled and packaged in New Zealand. This is because, apart from the risk of it being a fake, the honey can be blended, diluted and repacked on arrival in the UK or wherever else it is going. This means you can’t ever be sure it’s the real deal unless you buy from an established and known company.

Genuine Manuka is different in texture to regular honey. It’s much thicker and creamier and also darker. It’s also less sweet with an earthy, woody taste and is never runny.

My go to is MANUKA DOCTOR, the largest, independent producer of Manuka honey in New Zealand. They own their own land and beehives and can trace back every jar to the beekeeper. Their honey is raw and unpasteurised which means it hasn’t been heated, which can damage the natural compounds. You are, therefore, guaranteed to be getting the real deal.  And they’ve even won a Great Taste Award.

How best to take Manuka?

• I love it in a hot drink of freshly sliced ginger. Let the ginger brew for 10 minutes first and then add the honey. Never add Manuka to freshly boiled water as this can damage the potency of the compounds. This is great when you feel like you might be coming down with a virus and also if you have already come down with one. Both the Manuka and the ginger have anti-inflammatory properties.
• If you have a cough or a sore throat, let a teaspoon of Manuka dissolve directly in your mouth. This will coat the throat and help ease the cough.
• If you are suffering from indigestion or have gut issues then just consume a teaspoon of Manuka on it’s own.

DISCOUNT CODE:

Manuka Doctor have special promotions every month which can save you up to 60%! These prices are incredible for any Manuka honey, never mind a top quality one like this. They’ve offered Ageless readers a further 10% off by using the code AGELESS.  The link is below:

MANUKA DOCTOR