Health Benefits of Honey

Manuka Honey

Posted by Michael (New Zealand) on 08/20/2016

Further to my previous posting on the potential pitfalls of purchasing Manuka honey of dubious authenticity and pedigree, it would NOW appear that at least some of the scoundrels may be lurking closer to home!! I would not like to think that Earth Clinic members are being ripped off whilst laboring under the misapprehension that what they have purchased, at considerable cost, is some sort of "wonder food" inherently superior to regular honey, when all along it is indeed regular honey, that in any event can also be quite healthy for you. Sorry about the long sentence there but I am a bit worked up about the injustice of it all.

Michael

Replied by Mrs A
(London Uk)
08/22/2016

About manuka honey - apparently more so-called manuka honey is sold in the UK each year than is produced annually in the whole of New Zealand. I can't now find the reference, but I also read that you can tell the real thing by a little label on the jar saying UMF - i.e. Unique Manuka Factor.

Replied by Michael
(New Zealand)
12/29/2016

My attention was piqued recently by an Australian who claimed to be using Manuka Honey. Excellent stuff, helps the exports along nicely I thought, except for the fact that this person claimed that it was "Australian" Manuka Honey! Well, I thought, have those Aussie Jokers been doing a spot of under-arm bowling I wondered? Now our local news over here is normally intensely preoccupied with such weighty matters of National Import as a boy falling off a bicycle in the main street of a small town OR an itemized account of what the All Blacks ate for their breakfast! Gripping stuff, you will agree.

But wait a minute, low and behold, what should crop up in to-day's MID-DAY HEADLINE news on our National Radio but that the Aussies have stolen our Honey!! Shock horror! How can this be? Seems they fancy that "Manuka" as a label would sell more honey than, say "Tea Tree Honey, Kangaroo Honey, Boomerang or Dodgery-Doo Honey".

Well, do I have news for them! "Manuka" is a Maori name for a New Zealand shrub and Manuka Honey ought to be sourced from Kiwi Land. No doubt our respective Prime Ministers will be scheduling talks as we speak, in order to formulate a non-aggression treaty? The Tasman Sea isn't wide enough for both of us.

Replied by Kate
(England)
01/02/2017

This piece from the Guardian (UK) underlines just how competitive the market for Manuka honey has become - to the point of theft and sabotage: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/nov/04/manuka-honey-wars-new-zealand-crime-booming-industry-poisoning-beatings

I quite like manuka honey as a treat but for me it's not crucial, so I took the decision to stop buying it. I find it difficult to believe that this one kind of honey in the whole world has exceptional qualities, and I'm now on a bit of a quest to see what else is out there. There are some lovely small businesses, selling stuff from the top of Greek mountains, from oak forests (very dark and comparatively less sugary tasting) not to mention Tasmania. With so much pressure on the manuka market, it would be great if Earth Clinic readers came up with other options.

Reina
(Netherlands)
10/30/2020

A good alternative to Manuka honey seems to be heather honey. I have found a raw local heather honey which I use for colds and sinuses season. Also I eat bits of the honeycomb which I chew and swallow completely - not sure but I believe in Bee products and think it is good to profit from these goodies. Right now reading Simon Buxton's book called 'The Shamanic Way of the Bee', interesting read about a little known practise in the world of Bees.

Replied by Michael
(New Zealand)
10/31/2020

Hello Reina,

In response to your recent post of yesterday, I was interested in reading what you experienced with honey and your sinus condition. In New Zealand we are always told that Manuka honey is by far the best (!! ) but it commands such huge prices when exported overseas, that many of we locals cannot afford it, so use other (NZ) types, as you suggest.

One is supposed to use locally-sourced honey to gain the most benefit anyway!!

I have just realized that we ran out of our preferred one about three weeks ago (we only go to town to stock up on supplies once every three or four weeks or so) and so have resorted to a very tiny amount of brown, coffee sugar in my morning coffee instead.

Since doing this, my sinuses have played up and I surmise that the sugar-loving bacteria or micro plasma etc are loving the unusual sugar in my diet?

Co-incidentally, it is pollen season over here at the moment and I strongly suspect my olive tree as being the culprit. It doesn't help that we all live upside down in NZ I suppose!

I have been giving that tree some dark looks lately but it does screen us from the neighbour next door!

I started with an anti-histamine but then changed to a homeopathic and a netti pot rinse, using a saline solution, which was very helpful. Also my nose breathing exercises are useful.

I suspect I am acquiring more ailments since often surfing this site - bit like Readers' Digest Syndrome. What to do?

Cheers from Down Under

Michael


MRSA

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Jan (Northern VA) on 02/22/2006
★★★★★

2 TBSPS/day of Manuka honey for 3 weeks on toast, in green tea, etc, cured a Community-associated MRSA-- (started as an infected spider bite) A friend's teen had CA-MRSA for 3.5 months and was on several serious antibiotics, which caused organ damage and still she tested positive for MRSA. After taking 2 TBSPs/day of Manuka honey for 3 weeks, she tested negative! Her life is no longer in danger!


Multiple Cures

15 User Reviews
5 star (15) 
  100%

Posted by Dee (Taft, Tennessee) on 03/13/2010
★★★★★

I was suffering from anemia, restless leg syndrome, insomnia, horrible acid reflux, fatigue, heart palpitations,( I would have to go to the ER about once a week for injections to convert my heart) anxiety and obesity. My body was in such an awful condition. My mouth was cracked on both sides to the point I could not get a spoon in my mouth. I had became so frustrated with going to the doctor, trying at all these medicines and still feeling horrible. I spent so much money but was only getting worse. I had went for a week without eating from pain in my stomach. Laying in a bed ridden state I began to pray about 3:30 one morning. I remember praying and saying that if God didn't help me I was going to die. I remember asking God to lead me to something that would help me. I got up, staggered to the computer and typed, how to build your blood quickly. I was due a blood transfusion. I was directed to Earth Clinic and the healing properties of honey. With my legs weak and shaking I went to the cabinet, found a little bottle filled with the sweet golden honey.. I took a dose as I prayed, Lord. please help me.

That was Saturday morning at about 3:45. Saturday I took about 3 doses of the golden liquid. I went to bed Saturday night... I slept 11 hours. I felt instant relief in my stomach. Sunday I ate glazed ham, potato salad and buttermilk pie! I went into the hospital for a transfusion... my blood had increased from a 7.1 to a 7.5 in 72 hours! I was so happy that I put the honey on the corners of my mouth....24 hours later... no cracks! I am a believer! Honey works. I take it daily and I've also lost 20 pounds in a month. I am able to eat full meals now without any abdominal pain. The anxiety is gone, I've not had any heart palpitations. I feel stronger and my mind seems clear. I've been a nurse for over 20 years and I did NOT support the use of herbs or home remedies...until I had ran out of hope. Since I started taking the golden miracle, many of my family, friends and church family now take honey as well. My restless leg syndrome has completely stopped and I rest so well. All my symptoms have stopped!! I encourage you to try this. It's inexpensive and it taste wonderful however, before starting any home remedy or natural herbal supplement ...CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR!! EARTH CLINIC, you are an answer to my prayer.. thanks for being here.*smiling

Replied by Bippie
(Ashland, Ky.)
03/13/2010

What are you calling a dose?


Multiple Cures
Posted by Raquel (West Palm Beach, Florida) on 07/19/2009
★★★★★

Honey - Stomach Ulcer, cuts, hair rinse.

After spending 6 very stressful weeks in the Dominican Republic helping to care for my sick mother, a few weeks after being back home I began having a lot of indigestion and finally acute pain in my stomach. I didn't go to a doctor but did a "symptom search" and it pointed towards a stomach ulcer, I also asked two of my cousins who had had gastritis and one of them a diagnosed ulcer and their symptoms seemed to be the same as mine. Many years earlier I'd heard from my mother that honey had cured my godfather's ulcer so I did a search online and read about Manuka honey curing ulcers. Since I'd just brought some raw Dominican honey I figured it would be just as good and started eating about 1 oz. before each mail. The minute it started to go down I could feel my stomach relax and the pain begin to subside. At first I still had some pain after eating but much less than before; the next day I was even better and very soon (can't remember exactly how many days) I had NO more pain anymore.

When my son was born over 26 years ago there was no warning about honey so I gave it to him and, thankfully, he had no problems. I also dabbed it on his lip and later on my daughter's when they started walking (by then they were about 1 y.o.) but fell on a tiled floor and split their lip, it stopped the bleeding instantly and apparently the pain too because they stopped crying right away, the sweet taste was a bonus too! I myself, because of problems with blood clotting (before I started taking Vit. K) would bleed a lot from a tiny finger cut but honey would usually stop the bleeding fast.

One teaspoon diluted in a cup of warm water makes an excellent final hair rinse to give the hair a lot of shine; it can also be added to conditioners for extra moisture too.


Multiple Cures
Posted by Nichole (Stanton, Ca) on 12/07/2008
★★★★★

Honey Rocks!!

I came down with the flu one day while eating dinner, it hit me pretty fast. I had just started eating and felt very nauseous, within minutes I was feeling very warm and had a fever and my body began to ache all over. I went upstairs and laid down to try and sleep but I couldn't I just felt so awful... finally I asked my hubby to get me a biscuit and the jar of honey. I dipped the biscuit in the honey trying to get as much down as I could, probably a quarter cup. I laid down again and fell asleep, a few hours later my fever broke and I woke up at that point I felt fine, great even! So I was so excited about how fast the honey worked but of course I began to be doubtful, thinking maybe it was just a quick flu. Well a month and a half later my husband came down with a stomach flu he was nauseous and had the runs for a couple days, he didnt take any honey. Then I came down with it, again I felt horrible really quick so I went downstairs feeling faint and nauseous and grabbed the honey and some soup. I filled my mouth with as much honey as I could and swallowed, then ate my soup and again swallowed a big mouthful of honey. Within a few hours I was feeling great again! My husband was still sick! So now I know for sure it was the honey I took! Just so you know I took Sue Bee's Raw honey, I can get it here for only $5 for 2 pounds... I have become an advocate for all things natural and tell everyone about some remedies I've found on here and others I found at different sources on the net.

A couple other honey stories to share, I use honey on my daughters diaper rash and its gone sometimes by the next diaper change and others the next day! I also used it on myself after I gave birth for the tearing and it not only felt soothing but it did indeed help my tears to heal much faster.

My sisters friend Chante was in a very bad accident 6 months ago and had a severe injury to her foot. The did surgery on it but it wouldnt heal closed, so they did a skin graft and again it wouldnt close, in fact they did 4 skin grafts that wouldnt take. So for 6 months she's been going through this and I told my sister to tell her about Manuka honey, she did but Chante didnt want anything to do with it. Well after this last graft they told her if it didnt heal they would amputate!!!! So she finally conceded to try it. She put it on at 4pm and checked it at 8pm, already the skin was healing! She was so excited she applied a new bandage with more honey and checked it in the morning. Again it was looking even better! I cant tell you how amazing her foot looks now and its only been three days! I have pictures of before and after and after again and again, if anyone is interested email me and I will send you the pictures!

Go HONEY!!!!

Replied by Joyjoy
(Queens, Ny)
05/12/2010

I would like to see the pictures of your sister's foot. Thank You.


Multiple Cures
Posted by John W. (Deer Park, NY, USA) on 10/21/2008
★★★★★

HONEY & DIABETES & ARTHRITUS

THANK YOU FOR HAVING SUCH A GREAT WEBSITE..... I ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT I WAS ON THE RIGHT TRACK TAKING HONEY FOR MY ARTHRITUS EVERY DAY... NOW YOU HAVE CONFIRMED IT FOR ME.... I TAKE A TEASPOON OF HONEY IN MY COFFEE TWO OR THREE TIME A DAY...ALSO READ AND FOUND HONEY IS GREAT FOR MINOR BURNS AND IT ALSO DISINFECTS THE AREA OF THE BURN. I HAVE TYPE TWO DIABETES AND THE HONEY HAS LITTLE OR NO EFFECT ON MY DIABETES, ALTHOUGH I HAVE READ IN DIABETES MAGAZINE THAT HONEY IS CONSIDERED TO BE JUST ANOTHER FORM OF SUGAR...THEY SHOULD TELL THAT TO THE BEES!!!!!!!!!!!!

Replied by Kelly
(Seattle)
03/14/2023

While I realize your post is 15 years old, it should be noted that John W doesn't mention which type of honey he used. Manuka honey is absolutely 100% detrimental for diabetes or anything remotely related (pre-diabetes, blood sugar problems, etc). It forms HIGH amounts of advanced glycation end-products -- the things that cause every problem with circulation, neuropathy, etc., in diabetes.


Multiple Cures
Posted by London (Sandusky, Ohio) on 10/08/2008
★★★★★

Honey is Great. Yeah, Honey works. I make a tea of 1 tsp ginger, and a tbsp of raw honey. Works for illness, Colds, etc. Store bought Honey is not the same as Raw. Even though Raw is a little more expensive, it's worth it. Tastes better too.


Multiple Cures
Posted by Annette (Lambertville, Michigan) on 06/16/2008
★★★★★

We have had remarkable healing with Manuka honey, It is effective for bites, boils, acid reflex ect It will draw the the infection right out. It is antibacterial and antiviral and will heal out wounds where nothing else will. Also effective on MRSA and other staph infections. Just put a light coat on a bandage and change every 24hrs. Also will dry up poison ivy. Plus it tastes great!

Replied by Kelly
(WA)
03/14/2023

Manuka honey however has been shown to DELAY the healing of wounds compared to other agents. There are studies that back this up, but of course they're not mentioned by those who make millions on selling the honey.

Deirdre
(Asheville)
03/15/2023
★★★★★

Manuka honey does NOT delay the healing of wounds, in my experience. Manuka honey bandages were incredible at healing a 2nd degree burn when nothing else was helping a number of years ago. AND, more recently, when I sliced open the top of my fingertip on an oven door. Should have gotten stitches on that but opted not to because I promptly went to the pharmacy and bought small manuka honey bandages. Stopped the excruciating pain almost immediately. Same with my burn. I used one a day. After a few days, I opted for liquid bandaid on my fingertip, but could not have done that without the first few days of a manuka honey bandage. Highly recommended for tricky wounds and burns.


Multiple Cures
Posted by CP (Huntington Beach, California, USA) on 04/22/2008
★★★★★

Manuka honey is an amazing remedy for M.R.S.A. wounds, as well as for diabetic skin ulcerations. It comes in several strengths, so contact customer service on websites to see which is best for you. It is a little pricey, but I think it is worth it. It's delicious and healthful when taken internally and is wonderful when applied externally to the face. I am taking one teaspoon of Manuka honey and 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon each morning and evening. It has lowered my blood pressure from 156 to 125 in a very short period of time. It also improves my sleep! I love this website and it makes me happy to give back for all the help I've received. Good luck to all.


Multiple Cures
Posted by Winnie (Washington, DC) on 04/03/2008
★★★★★

Thank you earth clinic. we're all in this together. I spend lots of time reading about remedies and testimonies, the yes and the nays, its all good. I am pleased to read the nays that come from people who understand that even though the product didn't work for them, doens't mean the other testimonies are fake, just as we all are individuals, we get different responses. it's all good, learn from it and ask your higher power to send you what works. that's what i did; I have been trying lots of things, every time I read a testimony, I run out and buy the stuff and start using, and a week later, I decide, this thing is not working, and sometimes get angry because I have a cabinet full of ingredients I don't want to use anymore; then I started reading the testimonies from my heart, and listening to how I really feel about a product.

What happened is that ideas started coming to me, and one of them is honey, I decided to try honey on my acne face, I had half a jar of manuka honey at home so I started using it along with baking soda and lemon juice, and imediately I could see a glow. I also had pain in my gum, and have been using OP with some results, but still had soreness with brushing, then today I DECIDED TO USE THE HONEY in place of oil, put a tsp in mouth for about 5 to 10 minutes, then spit it out and brush, wow! no pain or soreness, I also had a bump on my face, i put a dab of honey and went to bed, this money bump gone. I took the honey jar and spoke into it, thanking all the bees that gave me this wonderful product, I thanked the farmers, the store keepers and last but not least this wonderful site, earthclinic. thank you for taking us back to earth, now i know everything works, at the right time with the right attitude. Love always.

Replied by Kim
(SD, CA)
03/12/2009

i love that you thanked the bees! a heart full of gratitude and faith will go a long way towards keeping you healthy and happy:)

Replied by Geren
(Portland, Oregon)
06/14/2009

Re: the lady who "thanked the bees" etc for the honey that helped her. I think that a true inner feeling and exercise is appreciation and thanks completes a circuit to wellness also. Often as I drink a simple glass of water, I think of the mountain and snow run-off it comes from; even one of the rivers it travels which I have visited many times. It really does make a difference to be cognitive of the cycle that things that bring healing go through on their way to us. Just as the healing is itself a cycle we desire. Even when I have to throw something away that is worn out (shoes or?) I take a moment and am thankful that these things came to me to help me in my life. Every bit of life is a process and I believe that if you cannot look at the beginnings of things than you will never be able to appreciate the becomings of things. As they are really the same thing.


Multiple Cures
Posted by Michelle (West Palm Beach, Florida) on 03/05/2008
★★★★★

Preferably organic, Raw Honey (unprocessed) helps get your energy back, kills germs of all types, halts diarrhea and intestinal cramps, (including firming stools) helps coughs and lung congestion and aids in the growth of healthy intestinal bacteria. It is a good source of B vitamins and minerals containing potassium, calcium and magnesium. It is quite literally the "perfect food" and can sustain life all on its own! It does not take any energy to digest it because it is predigested form from the bees. They do all the work, we reap all the benefits!

My eight-year-old got the flu, I gave him Raw Honey, 1 heaping teaspoon as soon as he finished vomiting, then nothing for three hours, unless they want more honey. He vomited twice total, and was completely well in a matter of hours! My husband got it, would not eat the honey, has been vomiting for two days STRAIGHT, can't keep food down! Then my four-year-old started vomiting. I gave him 1 tsp. honey, he stopped vomiting and ate honey about 1 tsp every two hours. He felt so much better in four hours, he (against my warning) ate Goldfish crackers and drank a Capri Sun! He vomited one more time and then by dinner, was completely well and ate a light dinner!! Amazing! So, now it's Tuesday, my ten-year-old gets it. Fever, body aches, headache, nausea! Wow, of course, I get the RAW HONEY, I give her a nice big tsp., she mixes it with water (she hates honey but has learned her lesson) I keep her home from school and send her to bed with a fever and no medicine. My husband calls, he is leaving work sick because he can't stop vomiting! Third day, he is in bed all day, eats nothing, and feels terrible. He comes home and sees our daughter, all better in a matter of two hours! (I think we caught it early enough, she is at school celebrating her Birthday!) He eats the honey! Today he is back to work, amazed at the benefits of the honey. You will be too. Special note: My six-year-old (who has autism) and I take the most supplements, eat mostly organic, don't drink soda, etc. we are the only ones in the family who didn't get this FLU!


Multiple Cures
Posted by Heather (Alta Loma, CA) on 03/04/2008
★★★★★

It is that time of the year again for people my age: midterms! The stress caused from midterms causes me to eat more, and sleep less. Luckily I was browsing along and came across the healing properties of honey and as a science major, felt obligated to try it out. I first used honey in my tea to wweeten and help soothe my nerves. Once calmed, I also used honey to help me sleep and before going to bed applied honey to my skin thay had recently broken out to resemble the greasy pizza I had been eating for the past week. When I woke up the blemishes were significantly reduced, my skin was softer and firmer, and I had a great night sleep thanks to the honey soothing my nerves. I feel great and I am ready to takle all of my exams with a well rested mind and a clear face! *PS someone in here suggested alcohol to kill bacteria but I found that a bit too harsh. I dab a bit of tea tree oil (which acts as a natural antiseptic) on my blemishes before applying honey.


Multiple Cures
Posted by Bonnie (Long Beach, US) on 12/13/2007
★★★★★

I was looking on your site a couple days ago and saw a remedy with honey to help lose weight. I tried it and found that i had more energy during the day, had less of an appetite, and fell asleep faster at night!! i love it! the remedy i found was every morning, a half hour before breakfast, as well as right before bed at night, drink a tablespoon of honey in one cup of boiling water with a teaspoon of cinnamon. It has only been four days, but man, what a difference!!!

Replied by Kim
(Edmonton, Alberta Canada)
10/18/2008
★★★★★

I would just like to add that I am overweight by about 20 pounds. I have never been an exercise person, nor a dieting person as I was always very slim and tiny. I was getting married in the middle of July this year, bought my wedding dress the last week of June. I was very busy planning the wedding, so I was eating a peanut butter and honey sandwich twice a day and large suppers with different desserts at night. (sampling alot of different things for our wedding supper). I went to try my dress on three days before my wedding and found that I lost 1.5 - 2 inches....I had a lace up back on the dress and had to pull the laces closed tight, and the dress was still a little loser then it was 2 weeks prior. I joked around and told everyone just to eat peanut butter and honey sandwiches! Of course I went back to eating whatever and whenever I want, and I am now overweight again. I have just started reading these articles due to a chest cold. I put a good tablespoon of honey in my coffee about 20 minutes ago, and I can breathe normal again,....WOW! I will be eating my peanut butter and honey sandwiches today and every other day until Christmas!


Multiple Cures
Posted by Alex (Nottm, United Kingdom) on 09/06/2007
★★★★★

Honey has hydrogen peroxide in it. Having suffered from bronchitis, boils, carbuncles, tonsilitis, sinusitis. Started taking honey 28 years ago, cut out the sugar totally. My drinks all have a spoon of honey-put a spoonful at back of the throat first thing morning last thing night total intake one and half pound a week takes 3 to 9 month to take effect -subdues the streptocci, no coughs, no colds, no infections


Multiple Cures
Posted by Joni (Grafton, OH) on 10/06/2006
★★★★★

I cut myself while preparing dinner one night and found that I had very little Neosporin. I used what I had on the small cut and the next night did nothing. The day after that it was red and swollen, meaning a small infection, so I applied some honey to it before bed. The next morning the redness and swelling were gone. I applied more twice that day and by the next day it was completely healed. So now I use honey right away on any cut and it heals within a day or two at the most. Honey applied to a pimple makes it go away fairly quickly.

It is also great for BURNS. The other night we were burning some brush in the fire pit and being stupid I grabbed for a stick that wasn't in the fire, but instead grabbed a red-hot end of a burnt stick. OUCH. I ran to the house and put my fingers in ice water. I could tell I burned it deeply (the finger-pad of my forefinger) the other was small burn on the side of my thumb. Then I thought about what I had seen about burns and honey, so I put honey in a measuring cup and dipped my fingers in that. It took the pain right away, but it came back again quickly. So I alternated for an hour and a half between the ice water and honey. The next morning the blisters were unbelievably small and did not hurt AT ALL. In fact the burn felt less deep than it had the night before. Just the surrounding skin looked a little dry. The one on the thumb was completely healed. I have no doubt the forefinger would have been semi-serious if I had not applied the honey. Today (2 days later) you can barely see the blister, as it is flush with the skin and the skin all around the burn looks completely normal again. In fact I can see my fingerprint! I first found this website looking for honey cures and found a wealth of other things too. I love this place!



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