How Does Manuka Honey Benefit Your Health?
Due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, honey is used as a means of fighting viral infections. It enhances immunity, prevents infection, and when a cold has already begun, relieves its symptoms and helps to get rid of sore throat and fever as soon as possible.
This is especially appreciated by parents of children attending kindergarten. Within a couple of days, the child recovers, and there is no need to use serious drugs to treat him and prevent complications. In addition, the beekeeping product is used to treat the following pathologies:
- Stomach ulcer, gastritis, heartburn;
- Upset stomach and intestines, irritable bowel syndrome;
- Inflammatory processes of the gums;
- Arthritis;
- Skin rashes and diseases (acne, ulcers, bedsores, psoriasis, etc.);
- Nail fungus and herpes;
- Burns, surgical wounds, etc.
As for the harm of manuka honey, it has not been identified. Only the use of products in the presence of contraindications can lead to unpleasant consequences.
Contraindications for admission
The list of contraindications to the use of herbal remedies includes:
- Individual intolerance to beekeeping products, as well as a tendency to allergic reactions;
- Infancy. Children under one year old should not eat a treat. Some manufacturers indicate a limitation of up to 2 years, since before this age the likelihood of developing allergies is higher;
- Diabetes. If you have a disease, you should consult with your doctor.
Calorie content
The product has a high-calorie content, like other types of honey – 348 kcal per 100 g. The main part is carbohydrates – 85.9 gr.
How to choose the right one?
farmers in New Zealand can only produce products if they receive a certificate and license. It must meet a number of conditions:
- Insects are healthy and no additional complementary foods are used;
- Honey is collected only in those natural areas where there are more manuka trees;
- No admixtures of other herbs.
- To get a quality product, you need to order it only from official suppliers. Distinctive characteristics of the products are amber shade, significant viscosity, and density. Responsible manufacturers pack the product in sun-protected jars with darkened walls, since it is sensitive to sunlight.
- Pay attention to the Mgo markings. It is mandatory if the manufacturer works in accordance with the conditions of certification and licensing.
How to use it?
How you use it depends on the goals you are pursuing. If prevention is needed during the cold season, then you need to dissolve 1 teaspoon of nectar in your mouth every day. This is done in the morning before meals. If you don’t like the concentrated sweet taste, you can dissolve the beekeeping product in lukewarm water.
If a person is already sick, then the daily dose is increased to 3 teaspoons. For cosmetic deficiencies, honey is used externally. It is applied in pure form or as part of homemade masks on the skin of the face or body. The delicacy should not be heated too much, otherwise, it will lose its useful properties. To soften it, use a water bath or warm it up in the palms.
Use during pregnancy and lactation
The tool is not prohibited from taking during the period of bearing a child. On the contrary, natural products will allow you to avoid diseases at a time when the immune forces are thrown to provide the unborn baby with everything necessary. The only limitation is that a woman in a position should not have individual intolerance to the components.
When breastfeeding a baby in the first year, it is worth refusing to use the product. The active substances pass into breast milk and can provoke allergic reactions in the newborn. In extreme cases, the use of honey must be agreed upon with the attending physician.
Application in cosmetics
Since New Zealand nectar has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, it is used not only to treat diseases of internal organs but also to combat skin imperfections. In the presence of acne, acne, boils, and other defects, honey smooths out their manifestations. Manuka honey for acne is very effective and has been widely used.
With regular external use, the skin of the face becomes smooth, the color is healthy, rashes disappear and wrinkles are reduced. Therefore, the component can be found in face care products. It is also used for homemade masks to nourish the skin with beneficial substances and get rid of dryness and flaking.
Use for colds, bronchitis
The antiviral and antibacterial properties of the treat act for colds. The components penetrate the structure of pathogenic cells and destroy it from the inside, preventing them from developing. Therefore, at the first signs of a viral disease, it is necessary to take a couple of tablespoons of the herbal remedy.
For coughs and diseases of the upper and lower respiratory tract, the product is irreplaceable. It relieves sore throat, helps to remove phlegm faster and cope with bacteria that can provoke the development of complications.
Application in oncology
Scientists have conducted long-term studies to determine how the consumption of New Zealand nectar affects the development of malignant neoplasms. According to the results obtained, regular use of manuka honey can significantly slow down the growth of cancer cells.
The substances contained in the product prevent the development of malignant tumors primarily in the colon and breast, as well as cutaneous melanomas. The components contribute to the destruction of cancer cells, thereby practically stopping the development of malignant neoplasms.
Treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract
The main active ingredient – methylglyoxal – neutralizes pathogenic microflora, getting inside the body. In the case of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, it copes with bacteria, while not causing harm and does not cause side effects. Therefore, honey is used for such common pathologies as gastritis and ulcers.
How to store it correctly?
Like all beekeeping products, manuka honey is susceptible to direct sunlight. That is why it is packed in darkened containers. It is necessary to store products in a dark place at temperatures from +4 to +15 degrees. It is advisable to control the humidity in the room and keep it at a level of up to 60%.
Manuka honey is a unique remedy for combating various diseases of internal organs, as well as skin imperfections. Regular use allows you to increase the body’s defenses so that it can successfully resist infection. It is worth purchasing nectar from trusted suppliers. You also need to make sure that the product is certified and licensed in accordance with New Zealand standards.