Manuka – a particularly potent, healing honey

As I write this solution, Roberto and I are travelling through New Zealand in the spring-like summer months of December and January. On our first trips, but especially on our first hikes, I notice the many fragrant bushes covered with white flowers, which are found not only in wetlands and on the coast, but also in the beautiful mountains of the national parks.
We quickly learned that these are manuka plants, also known as South Sea myrtle (Leptospermum scoparium).

I love their scent. On the many hikes Roberto and I take, I can smell them from afar.
And time and again, I pick a flower to enjoy its sweet, resinous taste or pluck a twig to make tea later or put it in my water bottle..

Because this wonderful plant not only smells and tastes good, it is also a very powerful medicinal plant.
Manuka honey, produced by bees from its nectar and pollen, has exceptionally potent healing properties.
Before I go into detail about its healing properties, I would like to tell you about the plant that gives us this special honey.

The Manuka plant – a New Zealand medicinal plant – also beneficial for the soil

The Manuka plant is an evergreen shrub or tree that grows mainly in New Zealand. It is found on both the North and South Islands of New Zealand and thrives particularly well in remote, nutrient-poor and windy regions. Due to its robustness, the plant is considered a pioneer plant and contributes to soil stabilisation.
It can therefore also have a healing effect on New Zealand's ecosystems:

Originally, 85% of the islands were covered by dense, healthy forests. However, the first settlers and hunters from Polynesia quickly cut down or burned large parts of the forests to hunt birds, create travel routes or plant kumara (sweet potatoes) or bracken fern, an edible fern species.
This was followed by settlers from Europe, who cleared further forests to build houses or ships, sell the trees or breed sheep and cows. Today, New Zealand has only 37% forest cover, and much of it is monoculture timber plantations. Only 20% of the original forests remain, mostly in the nature reserves of the DOC (Department of Conservation).

This is where the Manuka plant comes into play:
With its powerful roots, it produces a lot of humus even on burnt or devastated soil and is therefore often used as a reforestation plant. Interestingly, it is not eaten by the countless sheep and can thus do its pioneering work for future forests.
However, it takes 50 to 70 years for it to restore the soil to such an extent that other native trees and shrubs can grow there again!

The flowering period is short, usually lasting only two to six weeks per year. During this time, bees must collect mainly Manuka nectar in order to produce pure or predominantly pure Manuka honey. Weather conditions, geographical location and competition from other flowers have a strong influence on the harvest yield.

Outside New Zealand, Manuka can also be found in very limited quantities in Australia, but only New Zealand Manuka honey is considered authentic.

History: The Māori and Manuka

The origins of Manuka honey date back several centuries and are closely linked to the culture of the Māori, the indigenous people of New Zealand. The Manuka plant was traditionally used by the Māori as a medicinal and useful plant. 
They used the leaves, seeds and bark to make teas, poultices and pastes, which were used to treat wounds, inflammation, fever, digestive problems and skin problems.
The wood was used to build boats, paddles and weapons, or as firewood.
The bark was also used to cover roofs, make bracers and household vessels.

It was not until the European settlement of New Zealand in the 19th century that beekeeping with honey from Manuka flowers began. For a long time, however, this honey was considered inferior because it is darker and stronger in taste than other types of honey. It was not until the 20th century, particularly through scientific research beginning in the 1980s, that it was discovered that Manuka honey has an exceptionally strong, non-peroxide antibacterial effect. These findings led to Manuka honey gaining worldwide importance and today it is used worldwide to support healing.

Ingredients and active substances

The special effect of Manuka honey is based on its unique composition. In addition to the typical components of honey, it contains special bioactive substances:

🐝. Methylglyoxal (MGO): The most important active ingredient in Manuka honey. MGO is responsible for the strong antibacterial effect and is present in significantly higher concentrations than in other types of honey. Interestingly, MGO is not found in the flower itself, but is only produced in the honeycomb through the conversion of the carbohydrate DHA contained in the nectar:
🐝. Dihydroxyacetone (DHA): A natural precursor of MGO, which is contained in the nectar of Manuka flowers. During the maturation of the honey, DHA slowly converts into MGO.
🐝. Leptosperin: A characteristic plant substance that is considered a mark of authenticity for Manuka honey.
🐝 Enzymes: Including glucose oxidase, which contributes to the formation of antibacterial substances.
🐝. Polyphenols and flavonoids: Secondary plant substances with antioxidant properties that can neutralise free radicals.
🐝. Vitamins and minerals: Including potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc and small amounts of B vitamins.

This combination makes Manuka honey so effective and healing.

Classification according to ingredients

Special classification systems have been developed to measure the quality and effectiveness of Manuka honey:

MGO – methylglyoxal as a measure of effectiveness

The MGO value describes the methylglyoxal (MGO) content in milligrams per kilogram of honey (mg/kg). MGO is the main active ingredient responsible for the exceptionally strong antibacterial effect of Manuka honey. The higher the MGO value, the more intense this effect is.

🐝. MGO 30+ to 100+
Suitable for daily consumption and general health care. These grades are often used as high-quality table honey.
🐝. MGO 150+ to 250+
For specific internal applications, e.g. to support the immune system, for gastrointestinal complaints or during cold season.
🐝. MGO 400+ to 550+
Highly effective Manuka honey for special applications, such as severe inflammation, sore throats or for supportive external application to skin and wounds.

As a general rule, a higher MGO value does not automatically mean ‘better’, but should be chosen according to the intended use.

UMF® – Holistic quality seal

The UMF® (Unique Manuka Factor) is a protected quality seal from New Zealand and is considered particularly strict. In contrast to the pure MGO value, the UMF® system evaluates several marker substances simultaneously:

Methylglyoxal (MGO)
  Dihydroxyacetone (DHA)
  Leptosperin (as proof of authenticity)

The UMF® value confirms not only the effectiveness but also the authenticity and origin of Manuka honey.

🐝. UMF® 5+ to 9+
For daily enjoyment without specific therapeutic use.
🐝. UMF® 10+ to 15+
Suitable for health-conscious users, to support the immune system and digestion.
🐝. UMF® 16+ to 20+ and higher
Very high-quality Manuka honeys with intense antibacterial effects for specific internal and external applications.

As a rough guide: UMF® 10+ corresponds to approximately MGO 250+, whereby the UMF® seal fulfils additional quality criteria.

Use of Manuka honey depending on the level of effectiveness

The choice of the right Manuka honey should always be based on the desired application.

Internal use

General health care:
MGO 100+ or UMF® 5+ to 9+, 1 teaspoon daily, either pure or in lukewarm water.
Immune system & digestion:
MGO 250+ or UMF® 10+ to 15+, ideally in the morning on an empty stomach.
Sore throat & colds:
MGO 400+ or UMF® 16+, let it melt slowly in your mouth or in warm tea (below 40 °C).

External use

Skin care & blemishes:
MGO 250+ to 400+, apply selectively or as a mask.
Wounds & skin irritations:
MGO 400+ or higher, preferably use ‘medically certified’ Manuka honey.

It is important not to heat Manuka honey too much, as heat can destroy the sensitive active ingredients.
Diabetics should consult their doctor before use.

As soon as I get home, I will start mixing Manuka honey with creams and facial oils – for example, with the olive oil in which I pickled sea fennel last Mediterranean summer. I am already curious about the effect. 😅

Use of Manuka honey in animals

Manuka honey is used externally in animals for skin problems such as wounds, abscesses (after opening), eczema, paw or claw care or after operations for wound care, and internally for gastrointestinal complaints, coughs or to strengthen the immune system.

It is often used pure, in ointments or mixed with feed/water, whereby attention must be paid to the appropriate dosage for animals and the MGO content in order to utilise its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

As with other healing aids, it is advisable to always start with small amounts to test tolerance.

Manuka has proven particularly effective in horses with chronic wounds, mud fever, thrush and poorly healing injuries to the limbs.
I recently even saw a scene in a film in which a doctor heals a horse's injury with Manuka honey.

Why is honey so effective?

Healing mechanisms of Manuka honey

I am convinced that plant entities themselves play a major role in supporting our healing processes through their specific frequencies. 
The therapeutic effect of Manuka honey in humans is also based on the interaction of several biological mechanisms:

When used internally, the methylglyoxal (MGO) it contains has an antibacterial effect in the mouth, throat and gastrointestinal tract, inhibiting pathogenic germs without significantly affecting the physiological intestinal flora. At the same time, antioxidant polyphenols and flavonoids have an anti-inflammatory effect and can protect mucous membranes and support regeneration processes.

When used externally, Manuka honey's osmotic properties promote wound cleansing, reduce microbial load and create a moist, slightly acidic wound environment that promotes granulation and epithelialisation. In addition, anti-inflammatory effects contribute to the reduction of oedema, exudate and pain, giving Manuka honey a recognised status in both modern wound care and supportive skin therapy.

A few more interesting facts about Manuka

Manuka beer

In 1773, James Cook had beer made from rimu resin, Manuka leaves, water and molasses (sugar beet syrup) in Dusky Sound to prevent scurvy. Even today, there are New Zealand breweries that use the spicy flavour of Manuka leaves or Manuka honey to flavour their beers.

Manuka wood for smoking food

Here in New Zealand, I have noticed many products that have been smoked over Manuka wood, such as cheese and salt or salmon.

Manuka and tea tree are not the same

Manuka is often referred to as ‘tea tree’ here in New Zealand. This is supposedly because a botanist working for Captain Cook observed Maori people brewing a decoction from the leaves of the manuka tree. However, New Zealand manuka is not the same as the Australian tea tree. The main difference lies in the plant genus: New Zealand manuka (South Sea myrtle, Leptospermum scoparium) and the Australian ‘tea tree’ (Melaleuca alternifolia) belong to the same plant family (myrtle family), but are different species with different chemical compositions, whereby manuka oil (from L. scoparium) is often considered to be more skin-friendly and versatile, while Australian tea tree (Melaleuca) has a strong antibacterial effect. Both are used in honey and oil, but with different properties and often more specific bioactivity profiles.

Manuka essential oil

Manuka oil is also said to have strong antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties, while being milder and more skin-friendly than tea tree oil. It is often used to treat skin conditions such as acne, athlete's foot, eczema or itching (e.g. from insect bites) or generally to strengthen the skin and for skin care. It also has a healing effect on respiratory infections – for example, when inhaled or diffused into the air in a room. Manuka oil also has a balancing, relaxing, nerve-strengthening and grounding effect and helps you to centre yourself. Before using it on your skin, test how well your skin tolerates Manuka oil. For large-area application, dilute it with a ‘carrier oil’ or, for example, with your shampoo. For a mouthwash, add 1-2 drops of the oil to a glass of water.

I am delighted that, in addition to tea tree oil, which I love to use, I have now discovered Manuka for us and will be happy to continue using its powerful properties in the future.
Since the beginning of our journey, I have been enjoying at least one teaspoon of this wonderful honey every day.
Preferably in the company of a flowering Manuka bush and with a heart full of gratitude.