There are a lot of surprising facts about bees. Did you know that the average bee only makes one-twelfth of a teaspoon of honey in its lifespan? Or that a colony involves a queen with twenty to sixty thousand honey bees? The buzzing honey bee workers are all female and live for a maximum of six weeks. They need to gather nectar from around two million flowers for a pound of honey.
Honey is a versatile product. You can use it to sweeten any food under the sun – pancakes, coffee, cereals, bread, and even dressings. But not all honey variants were made equal. There is a particular type called manuka honey which is native only to New Zealand. The pollen comes from the manuka bush, hence its name. The variant has potent antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which make it stand out from its other sweet contemporaries.
Good for oral health
Gum disease, tooth decay, and bad breath are just some of the mouth problems most people face. Bacteria causes plaque formation, which leads to bad oral health. Studies showed that a chew made out of manuka honey reduced gum bleeding and plaque. So contrary to public opinion, its antibacterial effects do not contribute to mouth problems by stopping and preventing the proliferation of oral bacteria.
Promotes wound healing
The people from ancient times used honey to treat burns, sores, boils, and wounds. But it gets better. Due to its antioxidant and antibacterial properties, the manuka variant got the US FDA approval as an alternative treatment for wounds. It also prevents microbial infections by shielding the wound with a protective barrier. A study on the use of the honey on non-healing wounds showed an 88% decrease in wound size by creating a wound environment that is acidic enough for faster healing.
A balm for sore throat and the common cough
Having a sore throat is a pain that debilitates more than half of your waking hours. Manuka honey is useful since it attacks the bacteria causing your agony and soothes the throat lining with a light coat.
Several studies showed many effects. One study reported that the ingestion of said honey resulted in a substantial decrease in Streptococcus mutans, which is the bacteria solely responsible for the regular sore throat. Another found it as a natural cough suppressant.
Relief of digestive symptoms (including gastric ulcers)
Some people use natural manuka honey to combat digestive problems. If you have irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, you can consume it to decrease their effects. It is also a potent eradicator of the bacteria called Clostridium difficile (or C. diff), which causes severe bowel inflammation. A study showed that it had the same effects as a regular antibiotic.
Particular research also exhibited that the risk of getting mucositis (painful ulcers on the mucous membranes of the digestive tract and the esophagus) after chemotherapy or radiation sessions significantly diminished.
Treats upper respiratory infections
Cystic fibrosis is a clear and present danger for immuno-compromised patients. The disorder damages the lungs, which in turn also exhibits an effect in other organs. Manuka honey fights off the bacteria that causes the disease. It hinders the growth of the pathogen and helps hasten the effects of ingested antibiotics.
The manuka is unique because of its ability to treat specific symptoms and illnesses. Try some for a faster healing process, mainly when traditional medicine is applied as well.