Manuka Honey FAQs

What conditions can Manuka Honey treat?
It should be noted that in the UK, manuka honey is not a licensed drug. This means that nobody is allowed to make medical claims about the product. However, manuka honey certainly has an antimicrobial effect and this is widely used for a variety of skin conditions and skin hygiene-related applications (see here (BBC)). Manuka Honey is also used to treat wounds directly: see Medihoney Wound Gel and the Comvita Wound Dressing

How is manuka honey different from normal honey?
The bees that produce manuka honey gather their pollen from the manuka bush. This grows primarily in New Zealand.

How does the antimicrobial effect work?
Manuka honey contains high levels of hydrogen peroxide, which is a natural antibacterial agent.

What is "UMF"?
The strength rating of manuka honey is given in "UMF", or Unique Manuka Factor. This is a measure of the antimicrobial activity of a sample of the honey. The UMF of honey varies from batch to batch; the reason why is not fully understood. In addition, of course, different products contain different concentrations of manuka honey.

What forms do manuka honey products come in?

Straight manuka honey in jars are designed to be eaten like normal honey. Don't spread this eating-honey on your skin as it will not be pleasant! Use the creams instead.

The creams are designed to be applied to the skin, and are used to treat skin conditions.

The barrier cream helps protect the skin from external moisture and damage particularly around sites of wounds.

Medihoney Medical Honey is formulated to be applied directly into deep wounds and onto the surface less deep wounds such as burns. This can be used alone or in combination with the Medihoney Gel Sheets.

Aren't Manuka honey moisturisers sticky?
They are slightly sticky, but acceptably so. Not quite like smearing honey over yourself!

Why eat Manuka honey?
Honey provides energy and contains iron, phosphorus, copper, zinc, magnesium, calcium and many B vitamins. In addition to this the antibacterial activity (UMF) provides support for digestive health such as relieving symptoms of indigestion, heartburn or reflux. The honey can help recovery after a tummy bug and can be taken alongside a fitness regime.

What is Manuka oil?
Manuka Oil is not honey-based, but is an extract of the tree that manuka honey bees extract their pollen from. Manuka Oil has antibacterial properties and is massaged into the skin.

Click here to view or buy manuka honey products.