If you are familiar with honey, the best antibacterial product, you must have heard about the Manuka Honey, honey native to New Zealand, and Australia. Manuka Honey is the product of the rare type of bees which pollinate the flower Leptospermum Scoparium, that colloquially known as the manuka bush. It is famous for its antibacterial properties, which sets it apart from traditional honey. Antibacterial bio-chemical Methylglyoxal is an active ingredient of manuka honey, and it is responsible for antibacterial effects in the body. In addition to this, manuka honey has anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and antioxidant benefits too. Indeed traditionally, it is used to heal wounds, soothe sore throats, prevent tooth decay, and improve the digestive system.
In this buying guide, we have shared details about how to choose Manuka Honey to assist you in buying original Manuka honey and prevent yourself from scams.
What is Manuka honey?
The manuka honey is generated by the bees that pollinate the Manuka bushes in New Zealand and Australia.
It is regarded as one of the highly renowned and unique forms of honey comprising several health benefits worldwide. There are several exclusive health benefits of Manuka honey, but the most important one for which it has been loved for years is its antibacterial properties. It can heal sore throats, treat digestive problems, cure infections, aid gingivitis problems, etc.
What is UMF Certified Manuka honey?
You might have guessed that it is a particular type of Manuka honey. According to the experts, you need to buy a genuine product to see and feel the advantages. But, unfortunately, not all honey available in the market is real. So, before you splash the cash, make sure that you’re getting the real deal.
The most important thing to see on the Manuka honey packet is the Unique Manuka Factor (UMF) certification. It is a license and certificate of genuine manuka honey. You should also always make sure that you buy your
honey from a brand licensed by the New Zealand government to supply Manuka honey.
The UMF certification it proof of the genuineness of the manuka honey all over the world.
How To Choose The Best Manuka Honey?
Thorough the world, the high demand for Manuka honey has seen an increasing trend that makes it possible that you can now get manuka money everywhere—from your local food store to the web stores. But before you buy any Manuka honey, there are some strong recommendations from the part of us; you should take care of it while buying, as not all Manuka honey is the same. There is a variety of manuka honey available under different brands’ names. Even there have been rackets of fake manuka honey too. You should be aware of that and make sure that you do not fall under the tricks of fake Manuka honey brands. Below, we’ll tell you some powerful tips to assist you while doing the critical deal involving Manuka honey.
Check Here for Manuka Honey Products
Unique Manuka Factor (UMF) Certification
The most important thing to see on the Manuka honey packet is the Unique Manuka Factor (UMF) certification. It is a license and certificate of genuine manuka honey. You should also always make sure that you buy your honey from a brand licensed by the New Zealand government to supply Manuka honey. The UMF certification is proof of the genuineness of the manuka honey all over the world. Just to let you know that UMF is the New Zealand based independent industry association that sets standards for Manuka harvesting and packaging. If you purchase with the UMF seal, it means it is authentic and real Manuka honey, which contains all the unique healing compounds linked to it.
How to Check the UMF Rating
Once you get a UMF certified honey, you would like to see at the UMF rating to check out its actual healing potency.
The UMF rating lies between 5+ to 26+ and usually indicates the therapeutic or medicinal ability of any given honey.
It determines the MGO (Methylglyoxal), the substance liable for Manuka honey’s medicinal benefits, and its levels comprising by the honey. The higher the rating of UMF, the more reliable and more potent the honey is. So, which is the best UMF certified Manuka honey for you, as per the rating?
Let’s see.
- UMF 5+ to 9+: Any honey pack falling within this range is like regular honey with a minimal level of MGO, which means it is less potent. If you’re trying to find honey for normal and regular day to day continuous use, choose this UMF rating.
- UMF 10+ to 14+: This honey contains a medium level of medicinal/therapeutic properties. Generally, it is termed a naturopathic medicine substance.
- UMF 15+ to 19+: Any Manuka honey falling this category of rating level features a powerful therapeutic effect and may be highly beneficial to treat a good range of ailments.
- UMF 20+ to 26+: Manuka honey of this UMF rating is honey with concentrated MGO levels.
- That means it has maximum biological activity and, therefore, the ultimate medical effectiveness.
2. Other Grading Systems:
Manuka honey also has different dedicated grading systems, apart from the UMF rating, which you should consider while checking your buying honey.
The most common ones include:
(i) MGO Rating:
It is one of the primary and secure rating systems. The MGO scoring system is employed to work out the quantity of the MGO (Methylglyoxal) compound in Manuka honey.
It’s essential to notice that MGO and UMF are directly correlated to each other. It suggests that if the honey has high levels of MGO, its UMF rating will be high, and ultimately, it is suitable to provide you with more robust medical benefits.
(ii). K-factor Rating
The KFactor rating system generally accentuates the quantity of Manuka pollen present in a given Manuka honey pack. It can further help you identify the standard of honey you’re buying.
It is a quick-fix chart for KFactor rating system:
- KFactor 12: Honey pack contains 65% Manuka plant pollen
- KFactor 16: Honey pack contains 75% Manuka plant pollen
- KFactor 22: Honey pack contains 90% Manuka plant pollen
3. Consider Top Brands
The best way to choose higher grade manuka honey is to go for the renowned brand’s product. By selecting your product from the highest brand, you can escape from falling prey to the fake and lower grade manuka honey.
As I have already mentioned above, authentic manuka honey is found only in New Zealand and Australia. It is harvested and packaged exclusively in this region.
Some companies aren’t ready to follow Manuka honey’s strict production standards and find yourself adulterating their honey to satisfy their performance demands.
You always need to make sure to avoid adultered manuka honey, as altering the honey compromises its quality and may even pose health risks to you, the buyer.
4. Look for User Reviews
User review is the best way to know the quality of the product. Thanks to those who have shared their honest review after using manuka honey of different brands.
The customer buys Manuka honey from a different brand. If that particular product helped her solve his/her health problem, they gladly come back and post a positive review about that product on a discussion forum. It helps new customers when they are confused about what to choose and what not to. It helps them when they are confused about the quality of the same product.
UMF Certified Manuka Honey Brands
According to the statistics released by New Zealand’s Ministry of Primary Industries, their country produced around 1700 tonnes of Manuka honey within the year 2014. But statistics also show that quite 10,000 tonnes of honey labeled Manuka honey was sold in the same year within the same year.
The statistics showed that out of the 10,000 tonnes of honey sold, a minimum of 8300 tonnes was fake Manuka honey. There are multiple fake and imposter manuka honey brands out there in the market. It is a concern, and the government needs to promptly cater to this issue because this is an issue of public health.
Types of Manuka honey
In recent years, Manuka Honey has received tremendous recognition for its distinctive wellness features and its various medicinal applications. True, pure Manuka Honey is manufactured ONLY in New Zealand, made of bees that pollinate the Manuka flower. The most robust Manuka Honey comes from places where the Manuka Tree and its blossoms are plentiful-mostly in isolated New Zealand coastal areas. Manuka Honey rates differ widely and are based on potency, scarcity, and certifications.
UMF+ Ranking recognizes three unique signature compounds indicative of real Manuka Honey’s potency. Those are the Leptosperin, DHA, and Methylglyoxal (MGO) products. The check is often used in the check for HMF (Hydroxymethylfurfural) to ensure that the honey has not been changed to improve the MGO value.
When Manuka Honey has been checked, one of the ratings above will be issued. The higher the ranking is provided, the more potent/beneficial the compounds are being evaluated. A UMF 10 + or MGO 263 + or higher is known to be skin treatment and therapeutic.
Manuka Honey’s most popular medicinal application is topical for burn and wound treatment. However, it is still well-considered as a superfood and eaten as part of a balanced diet worldwide. It can also soothe sore and scratchy throats and may be applied for a nourishing drink to warm coffee, tea, and smoothies.
Taste can differ based on the intensity and even whether the honey is either in its raw state or whether a smooth coating has been ‘creamed’ for it. Generally, the tasty flavor intensifies with higher Manuka Honeys of the UMF.
The Manuka Honey Components
Hydrogen peroxide applies the antibiotic consistency to most honey. Yet certain forms, like Manuka honey, do have other antibacterial-quality ingredients
Methylglyoxal(MG) is the main antibacterial component in manuka honey. MG is a compound present in most honey forms but usually only in limited quantities.
Honey suppliers have a system for assessing manuka honey’s potency. The rating is called UMF, which stands for Manuka Factor Unique.
The UMF classification is indicative of MG concentration. Manuka honey requires a minimum level of 10 UMF to be deemed as competent enough to be therapeutic. Honey is marketed as “UMF Manuka Honey” or “Good Manuka Honey” at or above that stage. Still, doctors and experts are not clear if this classification implies anything from a scientific perspective.
How to use Manuka honey
Manuka honey producers use a special Manuka factor (UMF) rating to mark their product. The levels of MGO and a precursor, dihydroxyacetone, are represented by this number.
For UMF scoring, the selection is as follows:
- 0 to 4: an undetectable amount is present
- 5 to 9: low levels are present
- 10 to 15: useful levels are present
- 16: superior, high-grade levels are present
The higher the UMF number of these compounds, the higher the amount. Using Manuka honey with a strong UMF to get the most advantage.
Also, See Why Go for Raw Organic Honey and its Benefits?
Benefits of Manuka honey
Manuka honey’s best uses vary from curing a sore throat to allowing therapeutic use of it on the skin.
Healing
Manuka honey has properties that are anti-viral, anti-microbial, and antibacterial. It Can be used to enhance the immune system to help combat illness. Cuts, wounds, and ulcers can also be used externally to assist with the healing process.
Improves digestion
Experts believe Manuka honey is capable of improving your gut health and reducing bloating. ‘Did inflammation, digestive disorders, abdominal pain, or bloating decrease? Manuka can help, as it includes an important prebiotic to nurture the good bacteria of the gut. This naturally helps the digestive system to rebalance itself,’ says Comvita nutritional therapist Liliana Trukawka.
Boosts energy
Apart from that, pure Manuka honey is a perfect staple to give you a buzz when you feel tired. ‘The higher nutritional density of the honey makes it a huge natural energy booster,’ says Rick Hay
Skin Benefits
There are many health benefits for Manuka honey, but do you know that the condiment-slash-healing agent might be used as a beauty ingredient? ‘Pure, organic Manuka Honey is the best natural alternative to cure acne and skin infections,’ says skincare expert Malvina Fraser. ‘It is a natural moisturizer, too.
Check Here for The Best Manuka Honey Brands of 2020 – Buying Guide
Conclusion
Manuka honey is the best honey to use as a natural replacement antibiotic. Honey exerts a calming impact on macrophages to activate mediators required to repair the tissue and reduce microbial infections. No documented literature has so far recorded bacterial tolerance for honey due to the nature of honey components operating with other parts individually or synergistically. An alternative method for treating antibiotic-resistant microorganisms may be explored in the combination of specific UMF values with commercial antibiotics.
Manuka honey is highly beneficial for the body, and several brands make it, so it is essential to have the best quality, original honey. While choosing Manuka honey, you must consider specific parameters and buy the perfect Manuka honey.