The Natural Health World Essential Guide to Manuka Honey

What is Manuka Honey? Manuka Honey is made by honeybees that collect nectar from the Manuka Bush (Leptospermum scoparium) native to New Zealand. Whilst the Manuka Bush is native to New Zealand, it is part of the same species as the Kanuka Bush, Australian Tea Tree or Jellybush all of which been widely known for their unique health benefits for generations of local indigenous people including the Maori’s and Aboriginals.

How is Manuka Honey made? Essentially, the Honeybees collect the nectar from the Manuka Bush, otherwise known as the Leptospermum scoparium, a native plant indigenous to unpolluted regions of New Zealand. The bees make the honey and help to add the natural active enzymes that are linked to anti-bacterial properties in the Manuka Honey. The Manuka Bush has been used by generations of Maori’s in traditional medicine for all types of conditions ranging from the simplest to severe conditions.

What are the different strengths? Manuka Honey strengths vary greatly and are used for different purposes. Manuka Honey is produced in two difference types of ratings – Active Honey or UMF (Unique Manuka Factor), more details of which are explained later in this document. The range of strengths, which signifies the activity level of Manuka Honey, usually range from 5+ to 25+. Generally speaking, the lower strengths of Manuka Honey  5+, 8+,10+, 12+, 15+ and 16+ are used to support good general health. The stronger Manuka Honey strengths 16+, 20+ and 25+ are generally used by those with more severe medical conditions.

How do you take Manuka Honey? For those who haven’t tried Manuka Honey before, Manuka Honey isn’t as sweet as normal breakfast honey and so we thought we’d let you know the normal ways in which you take Manuka Honey. With a few different ways, you should be able to find the ideal way for you!   Off the spoon – this is the most popular way of taking Manuka Honey, just neat off the spoon.   As a warm drink – Manuka Honey can be used as a sweetener in Tea and Coffee but do not put it into a Boiling cup of water as it will kill off most of the active enzymes. You can also make a Manuka Honey drink by adding 1 teaspoonful to a third of a mug of warm water and either drink it straight or allow to cool.   On toast, Breakfast Cereal or Yoghurt – Adding Manuka Honey to your toast, Breakfast Cereal or Yoghurt, is a great way to take Manuka Honey without realizing it. This method is particularly popular for Children.   It is important to remember that the natural enzymes are key to the way in which Manuka Honey works and so, it is important to not kill off the enzymes by subjecting them to heat above 40 degrees centigrade.

Taste differences Although essentially one brand of Manuka Honey is the same as any other Manuka Honey, the taste can vary greatly depending on a range of environmental factors of where the honey was produced, like the soil type, the area of New Zealand and the weather. Using our experience in supplying many brands of Manuka Honey, we can say that generally speaking in our opinion the Manuka Honey from New Zealand’s South Island is sweeter and creamier, whereas Manuka Honey produced in New Zealand’s North Island is usually a dark richer fuller flavour Honey that can sometimes taste more medicinal than its sweeter counterparts.      If you have inadvently brought a Manuka that is either too sweet or too bitter for you, we suggest that you dilute the honey in some water and take it that way as it also dilutes the taste of the Manuka Honey.

UMF and Active Honey ratings Essentially there are two ratings that are recognized for Manuka Honey – Unique Manuka Factor otherwise known as UMF, and Active Honey. So what are the differences?   UMF Manuka Honey ratings   UMF rated Manuka Honey has been tested to the UMF levels by independent laboratories in New Zealand on behalf of the Active Manuka Honey Association. This test shows how active the honey is at killing or inhibiting bacteria growth. It is important to understand that the UMF letters are a registered trade mark of the Active Manuka Honey Association, a trade organization made up of all the key Manuka Honey producers in New Zealand. The UMF test is not regulated by the New Zealand government.   Active Honey ratings   Generally speaking, the Active Honey ratings run in line with the UMF rated honey, except the Manuka Honey producers do not pay for the trademark to appear on the Honey pot.  At Natural Health World, all of the Manuka Honey brands that show as an Active rating, have the same laboratory tests conducted on them as the UMF rated honey.   More recently, the MGO rating has also been introduced as an alternative to the UMF test although it has not been widely adopted by the Manuka Honey industry. At present, there is only one brand that Natural Health World are aware that are carrying this rating.