Manuka honey is made by bees who feed on the pollen from the flowers of the manuka bush, a flowering plant indigenous to New Zealand. According to the National Cancer Institute, manuka honey contains a higher concentration of the compound methylglyoxal than other forms of honey; methylglyoxal breaks down into hydrogen peroxide, which may be what gives manuka honey its unique benefits.
Fighting Infection
Honey's antimicrobial properties have made it a popular treatment for preventing infection and healing wounds since ancient times, according to the University of Waikato. According to a 2009 report issued by the Society for General Microbiology and published on the website HealthFinder.gov, researchers at the University of Wales Institute-Cardiff found that manuka honey might be an effective treatment for the potentially deadly bacterial infection MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus).
Improving Oral Health
Manuka honey may help fight some types of bacteria that cause gum disease and tooth decay, according to Peter Molan, director of the honey research center at the University of Waikato. In a 2006 article published in the London newspaper the "Daily Mail," Moran states that manuka honey slows down the bacteria's production of acid, making it more difficult for the bacteria to attach itself to plaque on your teeth.
Soothing Sore Throats
Honey, whether it's manuka honey or another kind of honey, has a beneficial effect on sore throats because of its ability to coat and soothe your throat, relieving coughing and pain. Manuka honey may also have the ability to fight the bacteria that causes sore throats, speeding up the healing process, according to Moran's comments in the "Daily Mail."
Improving Digestion
Manuka honey may improve stomach problems, including bacterial gastroenteritis, ulcers, heartburn and diarrhea, according to the Waikato Honey Research Unit at the University of Waikato. Though early research suggests that manuka honey's increased antibacterial effect may be behind the improvement, more research is needed to confirm manuka honey's digestive benefits.
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