For a couple of weeks now I have been using Manuka Honey in my diet, skincare and hair regime. I have wanted to try it for many years as it’s renowned for such amazing health benefits. I saw it was in the Holland and Barrett’s buy 1 get 1 for a penny sale and just couldn’t resist! However, it is rather expensive! Although I got 2 for the price of 1-ish, they are only 250g each costing £12.99. The reason Manuka Honey is so expensive is because it is mono-floral honey (made by bees that interact with just one species of flower), derived from blooms which flower for just 2-6 weeks a year.
So, what are the benefits of Manuka Honey?
Digestive health: Manuka honey can aid a variety of issues, including bloating, acid reflux, indigestion, stomach ulcers and irritable bowel syndrome. Simply stir into a mug of hot water or other hot drink to soothe your pains.
Immunity: Feeling a cold or sore throat coming on? Stir a teaspoon of Manuka honey into your hot lemon drink to prevent the cold bug taking a grip. Manuka honey is high in antibacterial levels and recommended in the treatment of ulcers, strep throat, cold sores, skin infections, cuts and abrasions.
Skin Conditions: Manuka honey is an excellent treatment for skin conditions such as eczema, insect bites, burns, and surgery wounds. Just apply it directly onto your skin. It also helps reduce scarring and healing time and can also be used as a face mask, as well as soothing sunburn.
Acne and rosacea sufferers can benefit from the use of Manuka honey as a skin cleanser; its anti-inflammatory qualities help skin conditions without removing natural oils.
Energy: Manuka honey is great for a short-term energy boost as it is it made up purely of carbohydrates, such as fructose and glucose - your body's primary energy source.
Each tub of Manuka honey bears
its own Unique Manuka Factor (UMF) – a scale that identifies the level
of anti-bacterial potency in that particular supply. A UMF rating of
10+ is the minimum required to gain the UMF rating and thus be
considered effective for purpose. Honey that meets this minimum
requirement is commonly referred to as Active Manuka Honey. The levels of UMF which are of optimum benefit are 10+ to 15+. The general
rule with Manuka Honey is the higher the UMF grade, the more active
natural bacterial properties it has, therego being better for us. The
higher the number though, the higher the price tag. All
honeys boast some level of antibacterial powers, but Manuka is accepted
to contain properties that are superior to those found in other
strains.
The honey I purchased was the Manuka Doctor apiwellness 12+Active Manuka Honey from New Zealand. The smell is quite distinct and strong, in a very nice yummy kind of way. It is possibly the nicest honey I have ever used.
In my diet: absolutely delicious on toast, extremely tasty added to hot drinks and even just eaten off a spoon! :-)
In my skincare: when I apply this as a mask, or cleanse with it I can really feel the natural bacterial properties getting to work on my blemishes. It doesn’t hurt or sting or anything, I can just feel that it is doing it’s magic.
Hair care: I have added this to conditioner, as well as used it for honey hair lightening and it works amazingly well.
Overall, I really can’t fault this honey at all, as I expected it delivered as expected and more...it’s just I don’t think I could afford to purchase it often. I really wish I could purchase it every time, but for the amount of honey I go through every week it would just cost me too much. I am planning to repurchase definitely though, and I totally recommend everyone to try Manuka Honey for themselves to see just how great it is. The problem with cheaper honeys is they cut it up with corn syrup; I usually purchase raw honey, but I’m going to be purchasing Manuka honey just for consuming, and the raw for my beauty needs. It is expensive, but it is SO worth it. :-)
Having a Manuka honey-swirled hot drink in the morning should give you
an energy lift for those early morning travels, but do remember to eat
complex carbohydrates such as wholegrain bread and fibre breakfast
cereal too, to avoid any potential energy slumps that can occur when
consuming Manuka honey by itself. Also be
careful of consuming too much honey in general, as this is a source of
sugar -an excessive intake can lead to weight gain, regardless of the
honey’s source.
Have you tried Manuka honey yet? What are your thoughts? :-)
Source:http://www.kinderhealthandbeauty.com/2014/02/manuka-honey-worth-hype.html
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