11 UnBEElievable Ways Manuka Honey Can Supercharge Your Health

Forget your average sweetener! There's a special kind of honey from Down Under creating major buzz for its potent health benefits: Manuka honey. Harvested exclusively in New Zealand from the nectar of the native Manuka bush (Leptospermum scoparium), which blooms for just a few weeks each year, this isn't your ordinary honey. Its claim to fame lies in high levels of a naturally occurring compound called Methylglyoxal (MGO), believed to be responsible for its remarkable properties. This compound develops as the honey ripens, and its concentration is so important that genuine Manuka honey is often graded (using UMF ratings) to indicate its potency. Ready to discover why this "liquid gold" is hailed as a wellness powerhouse? Let's explore 11 unBEElievable ways Manuka honey can help supercharge your health.

1. Soothes Sore Throats

Patients often use honey to relieve the pain associated with a sore throat, and many report manuka honey soothes sore throats as well. When choosing manuka honey for sore throat, individuals should opt for the highest UMF rating possible. Experts recommend stirring a teaspoon of manuka honey into herbal tea (with or without lemon) or boiling water, and patients may wish to do this once or twice a day. Some patients may want to take a teaspoon of manuka honey plain each morning, particularly if their sore throat is accompanied by a cough. Studies have suggested consuming plain manuka honey may act as an effective natural cough suppressant. While manuka honey can be an effective home remedy, patients should see their physician if their sore throat worsens or lasts longer than three days. In particular, they should seek medical care for a sore throat accompanied by stomach pain or a fever, both of which could potentially be signs of a more serious condition that needs antibiotics.