Impressive Health Benefits Of Manuka Honey

Manuka honey comes from the manuka plant, officially known as Leptospermum scoparium. The plant is a bush native to New Zealand and Australia. Manuka honey is manufactured exclusively in New Zealand, and the manuka plant only blooms for a few weeks each year. Methylglyoxal is a compound that occurs naturally in manuka honey, and it is believed to have healing and medicinal properties. The compound forms from the plant nectar and increases as the honey ripens. Manuka honey is sold in varying grades of potency according to how much methylglyoxal is in the product. These grades are known as UMF (unique Manuka factor) ratings and range from zero to sixteen, where sixteen is considered a superior quality. Research into the health benefits of manuka honey is ongoing, and anecdotal evidence from patients suggests the honey aids health in the ways discussed below.

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.

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Assists With Acne

Manuka honey has antibacterial properties and assists with acne treatment. This particular type of honey has a low pH, and using it on the skin helps to balance the body's pH. This can lower skin inflammation, calming existing breakouts and reducing the risk of future ones. The antibacterial properties of manuka honey help clean the skin, and it works particularly well when used as part of a face mask or added to an existing skincare routine. Unlike other cleansers, manuka honey does not dry out the skin or cause irritation. The honey can help speed the healing of inflamed or painful acne. Individuals planning to use manuka as part of their skincare routine for acne should try applying a small amount to their hand first. About an hour after application, they should check their hand to make sure redness is not present; this may indicate they are allergic to honey. While using manuka honey can help with mild cases or infrequent outbreaks of acne, individuals who struggle with persistent acne may wish to consider seeing a dermatologist to discuss additional treatment options. This is particularly important if the acne is severe enough to leave scars.

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