What is manuka honey? Effects, cost and usage

Honey has long been considered a “panacea” for health. In particular, Manuka honey is considered to be of higher quality than other types of honey. Why is that so? Let’s find out together!

What is Manuka Honey?

Manuka honey is a type of honey native to New Zealand . It got the name Manuka because this honey is produced by bees that pollinate the flower Leptospermum scoparium (also known as the Manuka shrub ).

Manuka honey from New Zealand

Manuka honey is dark in color and has a high Methylglyoxal (MGO) content which makes this honey unique antibacterial properties, much different from other types of honey.

In 20 grams of manuka honey contains 70 calories, 17 grams of carbs, 15 grams of sugar and only 1 mg of sodium .

There are two indicators used to assess the antibacterial level of manuka honey: MGO and UMF:

• MGO , which stands for Methylglyoxal , represents the content of the active ingredient in the product.
• UMF , which stands for Unique Manuka Factor , is an indicator that shows the concentration of honey .

Benefits of Manuka honey

Healing

A 2007 US FDA study certifies manuka honey as very safe for wound treatment, thanks to its antibacterial properties and antioxidant properties .

A study from Pubmed organization conducted in Saudi Arabia further showed that when manuka honey was used in combination with conventional wound treatment, it was effective in disinfecting and healing ulcers caused by disease. caused by diabetes .

Manuka honey helps heal wounds

In addition, manuka honey can enhance wound healing and reduce pain in burn patients .

Manuka honey also heals eyelid wounds after surgery , causing less pain and stiffness than applying Vaseline.

Improve oral health

The sugar in manuka honey does not cause tooth decay , instead it has the ability to inhibit the growth of oral bacteria by avoiding plaque formation, thereby overcoming tooth decay and gingivitis .

In a study in the health journal WebMD demonstrated: with high antibacterial properties, manuka honey can inhibit the growth of bacteria P. gingivalis and A. actinomycetemcomitans in the mouth . Helps overcome tooth decay and gingivitis.

Manuka honey improves oral health

Relieves sore throat

Manuka honey is one of the foods that effectively treat sore throats thanks to its antibacterial properties.

According to a study from the WebMD health journal, manuka honey significantly reduces the bacteria Streptococcus mutans – which is the cause of sore throats.

In addition, Manuka honey also contributes to reducing the amount of oral bacteria that are harmful to radiation mucositis .

Manuka honey relieves sore throat

Prevent stomach ulcers

Peptic ulcer disease is a very common disease caused by the bacteria H. pylori , causing abdominal pain, bloating and nausea.

Research by Pubmed and the WebMD health journal has proven that manuka honey has the ability to fight this bacteria that causes stomach ulcers .

Manuka honey prevents stomach ulcers

Improve digestive diseases

Manuka honey may reduce inflammation in people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) . Honey is effective in attacking C. diff bacteria .

Manuka honey has been shown to improve antioxidant status and reduce ulcerative colitis .

Manuka honey helps to improve digestive problems

Can treat symptoms of cystic fibrosis

Manuka honey has been shown to be effective against two types of bacteria that cause cystic fibrosis: Burkholderia spp and Pseudomonas aeruginosa .

Not only that, manuka honey can also be combined with antibiotics to treat cystic fibrosis.

Manuka honey helps treat cystic fibrosis

Treat acne problems

With its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, manuka honey has been shown to contribute to an effective acne treatment .

What’s more, research has found that this type of honey is as effective as using antibacterial soap .

Manuka honey treats acne

The price of Manuka honey

Manuka honey is a precious food with many great health benefits. Manuka honey also has many different price ranges, depending on quality.

Manuka honey selling price based on MGO, UMF

Manuka honey is evaluated for quality and priced based on the MGO, UMF index:

• Type with MGO index of 100 or less or below UMF10+ : 500,000 – 700,000 VND/liter (suitable for first use).
• Honey with MGO100〜500＋・UMF10〜12＋ : 600,000 – 800,000 VND/liter (Maintaining daily health).
• Type with UMF15+ or higher or MGO500+ : from 1,000,000 to 2,000,000 VND/liter (to nourish the body, strengthen the resistance).
• Manuka honey with index MGO800+ or higher : 2,000,000 – 8,000,000 VND/liter (medical therapy).

How to use manuka honey

You can use manuka honey to treat some diseases or use it to care and beautify the skin.

Use manuka honey to treat illness

Use Manuka honey to increase resistance

Mix manuka honey with warm water below 35 degrees Celsius to drink daily with the following dosage:

• Children under 12 years: half a teaspoon.
• Children over 12 years old and adults: 1 tsp.

In addition, you can mix honey with warm lemon water (can be replaced with Vitamin C) drink in the morning, or drink honey chamomile tea every night, both to help prevent colds when the weather changes and beautiful skin.

Use Manuka Honey to Treat Cough

In case of cough, you can add 1 teaspoon of honey and 1 slice of lemon, steam it (or put it in the microwave for 20 seconds) to melt the honey and mix with the lemon.

For children , you should steam about 5ml of honey and 1 slice of lemon to drink right at the beginning of a cough, it will be very effective.

Using Manuka honey to reduce stomach ulcers, gastric reflux

Use Manuka honey 4 times a day , 1 teaspoon each time or dissolve with warm lemon water to drink.

Note : Children over 12 months of age use one teaspoon dissolved in warm water once a day.

Skin care with Manuka honey

Using manuka honey for skin care

To use manuka honey for daily skin care, you need:

• Wash your face with face wash.

• Apply a thin layer of Manuka honey and relax for 10-20 minutes then rinse with warm water.

Using manuka honey to treat skin diseases

People with acne, dry skin, psoriasis, rashes, eczema, etc., use Manuka honey directly on that area and leave it on for at least 1 hour .

Use Manuka Honey to Heal Wounds, Fight Infections

Clean the wound then apply a layer of Manuka honey directly to the wound to fight infection and promote healing.

Time to apply 12 hours apart until the wound heals.

Or you can apply honey directly to a sterile gauze and then cover the wound.

Note when using manuka honey

Do not use for children under 1 year old to avoid poisoning

For children over 1 year old, the maximum daily dose is about 5-10g of Manuka honey.

Adults should use Manuka honey about 10g per day.

Do not use manuka honey for people with diabetes and people who are allergic to honey.

Be careful when using manuka honey

The above article has helped answer the question of what manuka honey is, its effects, price, and how to use it. Tnhelearning.edu.vn hope you have more useful information about this food! Wishing you a lot of health!

Source: US FDA, WebMD health journal, Pubmed

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