What are the benefits of manuka honey for your health?

November 9, 2025 •

4 min read

Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use on wounds and burns since 2007, the benefits of manuka honey extend far beyond its sweet taste. This unique honey, native to New Zealand and parts of Australia, is renowned for its potent antibacterial properties and a rich nutritional profile.

Quick Summary

Manuka honey offers potent antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant benefits for healing wounds, improving oral hygiene, soothing sore throats, and supporting digestive health. Its unique properties are attributed to methylglyoxal (MGO).

Key Points

Unique Antibacterial Strength: Manuka honey contains high levels of methylglyoxal (MGO), giving it potent and stable antibacterial activity superior to other honeys.
Wound and Burn Healing: Medically-approved manuka honey is used to treat wounds, burns, and ulcers, promoting tissue regeneration and preventing infection from bacteria like MRSA.
Digestive and Gut Health Support: It helps combat harmful gut bacteria like H. pylori and acts as a prebiotic to soothe the digestive tract and promote healthy gut flora.
Oral Hygiene Enhancement: Clinical studies show it can help reduce dental plaque and gingivitis by targeting harmful oral bacteria, without necessarily promoting tooth decay.
Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Properties: Rich in phenolic compounds, manuka honey provides antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits that can support overall wellness and skin health.
Soothes Sore Throats: Its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects make it an effective, safe remedy for calming coughs and soothing sore throats caused by upper respiratory tract infections.

What is Manuka Honey?

Manuka honey is a monofloral honey produced by bees foraging on the nectar of the Leptospermum scoparium plant, also known as the Manuka bush. While regular honey's antimicrobial effects largely come from hydrogen peroxide, manuka honey possesses a unique non-peroxide antibacterial activity. This potent effect is due to a high concentration of methylglyoxal (MGO), a compound that forms from another substance called dihydroxyacetone (DHA) found in the nectar of Manuka flowers. The concentration of MGO directly correlates with the honey's antibacterial strength.

To ensure authenticity and potency, Manuka honey is often graded using systems like the Unique Manuka Factor (UMF). This system verifies the presence of MGO and other signature compounds like Leptosperin and DHA. A higher UMF™ rating indicates a more powerful and pure honey, making it suitable for specific therapeutic uses.

The Potent Health Benefits of Manuka Honey

Wound Healing and Skin Care

Manuka honey's use in wound management is one of its most well-researched applications. Its powerful antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties create an optimal healing environment.

Prevents Infection: It helps prevent infection by inhibiting the growth of a wide range of bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant strains like Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
Promotes Healing: It maintains a moist environment, which is crucial for optimal healing, and helps reduce inflammation and pain.
Minimizes Scarring: By forming a protective barrier and encouraging tissue regeneration, it can help minimize scarring.
Treats Skin Conditions: Its antimicrobial effects can also help manage skin conditions like acne, eczema, and dermatitis when applied topically.

Digestive and Gut Health

Manuka honey supports a healthy digestive system in several ways, particularly for those with certain gastrointestinal issues.

Combats Harmful Bacteria: Its antibacterial properties, particularly the MGO content, are effective against harmful gut bacteria like Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), a leading cause of stomach ulcers and gastritis.
Soothes Inflammation: The anti-inflammatory effects help to soothe the lining of the digestive tract, which can alleviate symptoms associated with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) like ulcerative colitis and Crohn's.
Acts as a Prebiotic: Some varieties contain prebiotics like fructo-oligosaccharides, which stimulate the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, promoting a healthier microbiome.

Oral Health

Despite being a sugar, manuka honey has shown potential benefits for oral health due to its unique antimicrobial activity.

Reduces Plaque and Gingivitis: Studies have indicated that manuka honey can inhibit the growth of harmful oral bacteria associated with plaque formation and gum disease (gingivitis).
Fights Bacteria: It is effective against certain oral bacteria, and some research suggests it may even work better than conventional antibacterial mouthwash in some cases.
Alleviates Sore Throats: Its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects can help calm sore throats and relieve coughs caused by upper respiratory tract infections.

Antioxidant and Immune Support

Manuka honey is rich in bioactive compounds, including phenolic acids and flavonoids, that provide potent antioxidant and immune-modulating effects. Antioxidants fight free radicals in the body, which helps to reduce oxidative damage linked to various diseases.

Manuka Honey vs. Regular Honey: Key Differences


Feature	Manuka Honey	Regular Honey
Origin	Nectar of the Leptospermum scoparium (Manuka) bush, mainly from New Zealand and Australia.	Nectar from a variety of flowering plants.
Antimicrobial Activity	Strong and stable non-peroxide activity, driven by methylglyoxal (MGO).	Contains lower levels of antimicrobial compounds, mainly hydrogen peroxide.
Grading System	Graded by systems like UMF™ (Unique Manuka Factor) and MGO to certify quality and potency.	Typically graded by color and flower source, with no medicinal certification.
Taste and Texture	Strong, earthy flavor with a thicker texture.	Varies widely based on flower source; often milder and less viscous.
Medicinal Use	Used in traditional and modern medicine for wound care, gut health, and more.	Mainly used as a food or for general soothing effects.
Price	More expensive due to limited production and specialized grading.	Generally less expensive and widely available.

How to Use Manuka Honey

Manuka honey can be consumed orally for internal health or applied topically for skin conditions. For internal use, adding a teaspoon to your tea (after it has cooled slightly to preserve enzymes), or stirring it into yogurt or oatmeal is common. For topical applications on minor wounds or skin issues, a thin layer can be applied directly. For more serious conditions, it is best to use sterile, medical-grade manuka honey under the supervision of a healthcare professional.

Considerations and Potential Side Effects

While generally safe for most people, some precautions are necessary when using manuka honey:

Infants: Do not give manuka honey to infants under 12 months old due to the risk of botulism.
Diabetics: As it contains natural sugars, individuals with diabetes or those monitoring blood sugar should consume it in moderation and consult a doctor.
Allergies: People allergic to honey or bees should exercise caution.

Conclusion

In summary, the benefits of manuka honey are primarily rooted in its strong and stable antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, which are largely attributed to its unique MGO content. From accelerating wound healing and treating skin infections to supporting digestive and oral health, manuka honey offers a potent natural remedy, though it should be used judiciously, particularly in therapeutic applications. Consulting a healthcare professional is always recommended for specific health concerns, especially for wound care.

For more detailed information on its antibacterial mechanisms, consider reading a review in the journal AIMS Microbiology.

Frequently Asked Questions

The main difference is the presence of high concentrations of the compound methylglyoxal (MGO) in manuka honey, which provides its unique, potent antibacterial properties. Regular honey relies mostly on hydrogen peroxide for its antimicrobial effects.

Look for a certification system, such as the Unique Manuka Factor (UMF™) or an MGO rating, on the label. A higher number indicates a higher concentration of beneficial compounds and stronger antibacterial activity. The UMF™ system is considered a reliable indicator of authenticity and quality.

No, you should not use unsterilized manuka honey from your pantry on open or serious wounds. For wound treatment, medical-grade, sterile honey products are used. Always consult a healthcare professional for treating wounds and burns.

For most healthy adults, consuming small amounts of manuka honey daily is safe. However, like any honey, it is high in natural sugar, so moderation is key, especially for individuals with diabetes.

While honey contains sugar, some research suggests manuka honey does not cause cavities due to its powerful antibacterial properties that can help fight harmful oral bacteria. Still, consume in moderation as part of a good oral hygiene routine.

Infants younger than 12 months should not be given any type of honey, including manuka honey, due to the risk of infant botulism. Honey is safe for consumption by older children.

For skin conditions like acne or eczema, manuka honey can be applied topically as a mask or spot treatment. It can help hydrate the skin, reduce inflammation, and fight bacteria, leaving it clearer and more moisturized.