Immunity Series No. 1: Manuka Honey
Disclaimer: I am not a health care professional. I am simply a person passionate about a healthy lifestyle sharing my opinions and research on natural immune boosters I love and have found to be effective. Always consult your doctor prior to taking something new or with any questions/concerns.
Honey has long been used throughout history in a medicinal fashion due to its antimicrobial properties. Today I want to discuss a special honey that has incredible benefits for your immune system.
What makes manuka honey different from other honeys?
Manuka honey is derived from bees that feed from the nectar of Manuka trees from in Australia and New Zealand. A key component of mauna honey is methylglyoxal, or MGO. This combined with a higher phenolic content compared to its counterparts makes manuka honey a powerful antimicrobial. Research has shown this honey can kill bacteria living in biofilms, including Streptococcus and Staphylococcus.
How does Manuka Honey benefit my immune system?
In a study published in 2007 in the “Journal of Leukocyte Biology”, researchers found that a compound in manuka stimulated the production of cytokines. Cytokines are secreted by cells in the immune system that act as messengers mediating and regulating immune responses, like the production of immune boosting cells.
Conclusion
Manuka honey is a powerhouse and definitely has a place as a staple pantry item. There are also a wide variety of great products on the market containing manuka honey that I like to use (links to shop below).
Chewable Vitamin C & Manuka Honey Tablets
Manuka Health Manuka Honey Lozenges
HONEYCURE New Zealand Manuka Honey 500+
Manuka Health Manuka Honey 400+
Click here for in-depth information on manuka honey grading systems.
My favorite way to consume the honey is as a drink with cinnamon, as they are both beneficial to our health. I like to mix 2tsp of manuka honey with 1tsp of ground cinnamon in about 8-10oz of hot water and sip on it.
Do any of you already use manuka honey and if so, how do you like to enjoy it? For anyone who isn’t yet, has this information made you consider trying it? Let me know in the comments!
Sources:
Antibacterial activity of Manuka honey and its components: An overview
Does Manuka Honey Boost the Immune System?
Active Manuka Honey with Cinnamon – Discover Nature
A 5.8-kDa component of manuka honey stimulates immune cells via TLR4