What is Manuka Honey?

I have recently been quite poorly with a throat infection and besides seeing my GP, who advised pain relief and rest, I also took echinacea.

However, I found myself at the stage where I was struggling to swallow anything, even water through a straw. I found myself clock watching for when I could take more pain relief and at the same time worrying how I was going to get it down my extremely sore throat.

My voice disappeared to a whisper, mostly because it was too painful to speak. My lovely mum had been corresponding with me daily via text as to how I was and when she realised just how bad I was, she said she was going to get me some manuka honey because that would sort it out!

I knew a little about manuka honey. I knew it had healing properties and could be used on wounds but that was pretty much it and I had no idea why it was called “Manuka” or why it was different for any other honey.

My mum delivered the honey and I was able to manage just a small amount on the tip of a teaspoon, allowing it to melt in my mouth and down my throat. I can honestly say that it was very soothing. I mixed some manuka with natural yogurt and put it in an ice cube tray with cocktail sticks in each compartment to freeze as soothing yogurt and manuka mini lolly’s..

Now it could be a coincidence, but I don’t believe it was, but soon as I started taking the manuka I started to improve. The pain was most definitely improved. I started eating a small amount of porridge with manuka on it as well as ice lollies and definitely felt the benefit.

As my recovery began with this amazing manuka honey, I found myself needing to know more about it. Why was it called manuka? Why had it been so soothing? I know honey is good for sore throats and colds but this was different and what I found was very interesting and I felt worth sharing with you.

Manuka honey comes from New Zealand. It is produced by bees who pollinate flowers on Manuka bushes. It really is extraordinary. It has antibacterial properties as well as antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits.

I have heard of it being put on wounds, but it can be used for so much more! It helps digestive issues, sore throats as I can now confirm, as well as tooth decay and gum problems. You can treat burns, wounds, boils and sores and it works by maintaining a moist wound environment and protective barrier and with it,'s antibacterial and antioxidant properties can prevent microbial infections.

Not only that but it can enhance wound healing and relieving pain from burns. It can be used on diabetic ulcers, gastric ulcers and it's used for cystic fibrosis sufferers and also to treat acne.

I have to say I was pretty shocked when I saw the price of manuka honey. You can buy various qualities. You can pay from £20 to more than £100 per pot and it is graded on an activity rating per grams.

My advice would be to buy the best you can afford, possibly stock up when Holland and Barrett have their penny sale. Agree to share with a friend to split the cost when on offer. But this little pot of magic is an absolute must in your medicine cabinet. I will never be without it again as it just covers a multitude of things that I never imagined, almost too many to mention.

For me natural remedies are always my first stop, so to discover something so incredible and versatile is just fabulous. Why had I not realised before!?

Are there other amazing natural products out there that I have missed? Do you have a secret remedy that you would like to share that a must have in the cupboard?