What does Manuka mean?
Manuka is the name used by the Maoris in New Zealand for the Leptospermum Scoparium. The Manuka bush is a shrub of roughly 2 to 5 meters, but can grow to become a tree of 15 meters. It is from the blossoms of this tree that the honey bees take nectar and produce manuka honey.
Where does Manuka honey come from?
Manuka honey is produced by bees gathering nectar from the flowers of the Manuka tree which is native to New Zealand and some parts of Australia. In New Zealand, the manuka bush is most common in the east coasts of both the North and South Island. In Australia, the manuka tree is locally known as tea tree, and is common in Tasmania, Victoria and New South Wales. Beehives are placed in areas with a high density of manuka trees which will produce the monofloral honey we know as manuka honey.
What does monofloral mean?
Monofloral honey is produced by placing a beehive in an area where a single type of flower is prevalent. Due to the bee taking the nectar from one floral source, the honey will accordingly take on the various characteristics of that particular flower. All flowers will produce different flavor, fragrance, color, texture and other characteristics such as nutritional values and medicinal properties. In the case of Manuka honey, the main floral source is the manuka tree (Leptospermum Scoparium). The best Manuka honey is produced in areas with a higher density of the Leptospermum.
What are the benefits of using honey?
Honey in its raw and cold pressed form has been known to have many health promoting and healing properties. Raw honey in general…
- is a healthy and natural energizer
- boosts the immune system
- has anti-inflammatory properties
- has anti-bacterial properties
- has anti-fungal properties
For centuries, many peoples having been using honey for its healing properties. Recent scientific research has proven that honey indeed has many health benefits, and as the knowledge increases, even skeptics turn to natural remedies such as honey. Nature has given us an abundance of natural alternatives, which in many cases are more effective and a lot cheaper to produce.
How is honey used?
Honey is most commonly used internally by digesting it directly or by mixing it with other foods or in beverages. In the United Kingdom, one of the most common applications of honey is to mix it with lemon as a cure for coughs and the common cold. However, honey has also been used for a variety of external applications. In Spain for example, raw honey is applied as a facial mask and has been known among local women to promote healthy skin and as treatment against spots.
What´s so special about Manuka honey?
Scientist who have done research into the anti-bacterial properties of various types of honey found manuka honey to be among the worlds most potent. The results are fascinating and have been widely discussed in academic seminars and in the media. Among the incredible findings were that manuka honey has such powerful anti-bacterial properties it has been proven effective against the dreaded MRSA superbug. There are many manufacturers selling Manuka honey, so you’ll have to do some research to find the best Manuka honey and not some ordinary one which you could bought for much less since Manuka honey is not cheap at all.