The Ultimate Guide to Manuka Honey Benefits: A Mom's Journey to Natural Healing

It's easy to incorporate this healing honey into your daily routine.

Let me tell you a story about how I accidentally spent $50 on honey. Yes, you read that right! There I was, standing in the health food store, desperately searching for something, anything, to help with my chronic digestive issues, when I spotted a jar of Manuka honey. My first thought? "Who in their right mind pays that much for honey?" Well, spoiler alert: this sleep-deprived mom did, and it turned out to be one of the best wellness decisions I've ever made.

The amazing benefits of Manuka honey have transformed not just my health journey but my whole family's approach to natural healing. Trust me, when you've got a kid bringing home every germ imaginable from school, you learn to appreciate nature's medicine cabinet!

Now, before I continue, I need to say that this post is not sponsored. No company is paying me to write this. I have purchased several different Manuka honey brands over the years, and only one is consistently superior. For my house, I only buy Wedderspoon. You will find several links in this post. They are all for the same item, but one is in a jar and the other in a squeeze bottle, for your preference.

What Makes Manuka Honey Special? 

Whole grain bread with Manuka honey is a great breakfast or snack anytime.

Unlike regular honey (which is most often filtered, processed and heated, which removes the healing substances), Manuka honey is nature's powerhouse of healing properties. It's produced by bees that pollinate the Manuka bush in New Zealand, and it contains unique compounds that set it apart from your regular breakfast honey.

The secret sauce? It's called methylglyoxal (MGO), and it's what gives Manuka honey its superpower-like antibacterial properties. I like to think of it as nature's antibiotic - except this one actually tastes good! Well, it tastes strong, but I think it's good. Anyway, even if this tasted like an unwashed sweaty foot, I’d eat it. It’s that powerful. 

Understanding Manuka Honey Grades

Here's where things get a bit technical (stay with me - I promise to make this painless!):

• UMF 5-9: Entry-level therapeutic grade

• UMF 10-15: Medium-grade therapeutic benefits

• UMF 16+: Superior therapeutic grade (I only get this one. It's the strongest)

UMF means Unique Manuka Factor, and the higher the number, the more Manuka pollen there is in the honey.

[Wedderspoon Manuka Honey in a Jar - UMF 16]

Manuka Honey Benefits That Changed My Life

When I first started using Manuka honey, I was skeptical. But after experiencing its benefits firsthand, I became what my kid calls a "honey freak" (teen eye rolls included free of charge!).

Digestive Health and Gut Support

Never ever heat honey or add it to liquids above 95 degrees Fahrenheit. It destroys a lot of nutrients.

Remember that $50 jar I mentioned? I'm so grateful I made that purchase. A teaspoon of Manuka honey before meals helped calm my digestive issues better than many other remedies I'd tried. Even my mom began taking it along with Mastic Gum for her H. Pylori infection. The natural enzymes and properties in Manuka honey support:

• Healthy gut bacteria balance

• Reduced inflammation in the digestive tract

• Relief from acid reflux symptoms

[Wedderspoon Manuka Honey Squeeze Bottle - UMF 16]

Respiratory Health Hero

Living in New York means we're no strangers to winter colds. My go-to remedy now? You guessed it! A spoonful of Manuka honey with warm lemon water has become our family's first line of defense against:

• Sore throats

• Coughs

• General respiratory discomfort

It doesn't have to be in lemon water, though. You can eat it with a spoon or even put some on bread or a muffin. Whatever floats your boat. I just prefer the lemon water for digestion. 

Natural Healing Applications

Manuka honey is great for all kinds of skin ailments.

The wound-healing properties of Manuka honey are nothing short of remarkable. After my kiddo scraped her knee when she was small (attempting to become the world's first kindergarten superhero), I applied medical-grade Manuka honey, and the healing process was noticeably faster than with traditional methods. I also noticed that Manuka works really well for other scrapes, burns, acne and even scars. 

Skin and Beauty Benefits

As someone who used to spend a fortune on skincare products due to my cystic acne-prone skin, discovering Manuka honey's beauty benefits was life-changing. My favorite DIY mask recipe:

• 1 teaspoon Manuka honey

• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder

• A splash of lemon juice

But just plain Manuka honey works, too. You don’t have to get fancy if you don’t want to. 

How to Choose the Right Manuka Honey

Let's talk about avoiding the dreaded fake Manuka honey (yes, that's a thing!). Here's what I've learned through trial, error, and way too much research:

Price vs. Quality

Remember: if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Quality Manuka honey isn't cheap, but neither are doctor's visits! Look for:

• UMF certification on the label

• Licensed New Zealand producers

• Clear MGO or UMF ratings

My Family's Favorite Ways to Use Manuka Honey

We've incorporated Manuka honey into our daily routine in several ways:

• Morning immunity boost: 1 teaspoon in warm water with lemon

• Natural first aid: Applied directly to minor cuts and scrapes

• Sore throat remedy: 1/2 teaspoon slowly dissolved in the mouth

• Face mask: Weekly application for 15 minutes

• Digestive support: 1 teaspoon before meals

The Bottom Line: Is It Worth It?

I'll be honest - when I first bought that expensive jar of Manuka honey, my guy thought I'd lost my mind. Now, he's the one reminding me when we're running low! While it's definitely an investment, the versatility and effectiveness of Manuka honey make it worth every penny for our family. I buy this, and I no longer have to buy antibiotic ointment, sore throat drops, antacids, acne face wash and various other things. It works for us.

Remember, though - not all Manuka honey is created equal. Start with a reputable brand, like Wedderspoon, even if it means buying a smaller jar at first. Your body (and your family) will thank you!

Here are those links again if you are interested.

[Wedderspoon Manuka Honey Jar - UMF 16]

[Wedderspoon Manuka Honey Squeeze Bottle - UMF 16]

Final Tips for Success

• Store your Manuka honey in a cool, dark place

• Never heat it or add it to drinks above 95°F to preserve beneficial properties

• Keep track of which UMF rating works best for your needs

• Start with a small amount to test your body's response

Keep in mind that Manuka honey behaves like an antibiotic in the body. Start slowly because when the honey kills the pathogens, while your body is working to remove those pathogens, you might feel tired and achy. 

Ready to start your own Manuka honey journey? I'd love to hear about your experiences! Drop a comment below or reach out on social media - and don't forget to grab your own jar of liquid gold from my favorite brand or find another that works for you.

Remember, this journey to natural wellness is a marathon, not a sprint. And sometimes, the best medicine comes from nature - even if it does cost a bit more than you'd expect to pay for honey! 😉

As Always with Love,

Dominika