Manuka Honey ~ 7 Ways It Might Help You

There is something that you will always find in our cupboard that has been a huge help to us and I wanted to share about it with you.  It's name is Manuka Honey and it is from New Zealand.  However, it seems it is illegal to say, "Manuka honey can heal burns, stings, bites, colds, coughs, and upset stomachs and can protect you from sickness," so I'm not going to say that.  I am also supposed to disclose that I am by no means a professional doctor and to always speak to your physician to see if this is something that could benefit you.  I do want to remind you that honey should never be given to an infant, and it is advised to introduce honey to a baby once s/he is at least twelve months old.  It can be used topically (on skin) as long as you know it won't make it's way to the baby's mouth.

Manuka honey comes from bees who only gather from the manuka plant in New Zealand.  It contains a very stable antibacterial property that is usually called UMF (Unique Manuka Factor) or MGO (Methyglyoxal).  MGO is the compound that imparts manuka honey's antibacterial properties.  When you shop for manuka honey, look for one that contains high UMF or MGO ratings (like this one).  Hospitals even use high UMF/MGO manuka honey to treat burns.

This special honey is by no means to be used like like table honey.  The price tag might clue you in on that.  When you invest in a good manuka honey, all it takes is a teaspoon for it to do it's thing.  During cold and flu season, I give it to my family daily.  I prefer to avoid sickness altogether than to wait for it to hit and then start attacking it.  Provided below is a quick cheat sheet of sorts on what manuka honey can be used for and how to use it:

7 Things Manuka Honey Can Help:

1. Burns
2. Colds
3. Coughs
4. Insect stings
5. Upset stomach
6. Dry skin
7. Skinned knees

3 Ways to Use Manuka Honey:

1. Apply a small amount by gently rubbing in little circles on burns, bug bites or stings, cracked/dry skin, or skinned knees and elbows.
2.  During cold and flu season, take a teaspoon a day to protect against sickness, or take daily as soon as symptoms start.
3. Take a teaspoon if experiencing an upset stomach.

How To Get It Down:

You will notice that manuka honey has a very strong taste that is hard for some to take.  I avoid putting it into hot tea.  Taking it raw will keep the enzymes in tact and yield the most health benefits.  Here are ways I give it to my family without them noticing the taste:

1. Peanut butter and honey.  Use a teaspoon of manuka honey.  If more is needed, add raw table honey.
2. Smoothies.  Use one teaspoon per person.  If more honey is needed, add raw table honey.
3. Healthy Cookie Dough Bites.  Use 1/4 cup manuka honey and 1/4 cup raw table honey.

Here's to getting through this cold and flu season as healthy as possible!

I'm sharing this at Simple Lives Thursday, Pennywise Platter.