Explore the Wild Story of Manuka

You’ve heard about Manuka honey everywhere, and now you’re ready to get some answers. If you want to know everything that there is about this seemingly mysterious sweet treat, there’s no better place to start than at the beginning. Let’s take a detailed look into where it comes from, what you need to know about it, and the reality of what it is going to mean for you if you’re interested in its sweetness, too.

What is Manuka honey?

This is a raw kind of honey that is created by bees that extract the nectar from the flowers of the Manuka bush (hence the name). In order for it to be considered Manuka honey, the honey harvested by beekeepers from the hives must pass certification practices that can establish the Manuka percentage value (more on that in a bit).

Who discovered Manuka honey?

You may already know this, but you see Manuka honey from New Zealand in terms of marketing because it was native to this island nation. It was first discovered by the first settlers of New Zealand, the Maori. They are considered to be the discoverers, if you will, of this potent honey.

Their uses were broad and focused mainly on the Manuka plant itself. From healing salves from burns out of the leaves to relying on the bark as a sedative, it did a little bit of everything. During this time, there was no honey to be harvested because, well, there were no bees!

The honey itself didn’t come until the late 1830s, when Mary Bumby, an English beekeeper, set up a hive of bees near the Manuka bushes. Historians agree that this first generation of bees was responsible for producing the first-ever Manuka honey.

Why is Manuka honey famous?

While the Maori discovered the plant’s medicinal properties many years ago, the antibacterial properties of the honey itself were confirmed by Peter Molan in 1980. This marked the start of this honey’s rise to claim.

• The antibacterial properties: This is perhaps the most crucial detail in this honey. Its active ingredient, MGO, makes it antibacterial, and it can even outperform traditional antibacterial products. When used over a wound, it can help keep it clean as it heals. It is a dedicated protector to the skin, killing off daily bacteria, such as that which causes acne), to those responsible for infections.
• The antimicrobial properties: It is also microbial, adding extra fighting power to its already potent antibacterial properties. It is a great choice, especially for those who are looking for acne treatment, as this antimicrobial works well with low pH products from cleansers to moisturizers.
• It is as effective inside as outside: We’ve talked mostly about wound healing and skincare with those antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, but this is also a great choice when looking at what it does inside. Through those same properties, it can help soothe sore throats, calm upset stomachs, and ease digestion, amongst others.

Source: https://www.turnernewzealand.com/blogs/news/the-wild-story-of-manuka-the-bees-and-honey

Hi, I am Rachel, a fitness enthusiast and writer by profession, find me on tumbler.