Manuka honey is the most expensive honey in the world; is it worth it? Let’s take a look at what manuka honey really is, and how it differs from other types of honey.
These days, women from all over the world are obsessed with manuka honey. What is this hype about? Is it a good reason behind or “much ado about nothing?” To join the manuka honey revolution or not to join? Manuka honey is the most expensive honey in the world; is it worth it? To answer these questions, let’s take a look at what manuka honey really is, and how it differs from other types of honey.
What makes manuka honey unique?
If you’ve never tried manuka honey before, you’ll be surprised the first time you open the jar – it is almost mustard-colored and more opaque than regular honey.
Manuka honey is the rarest honey in the world. It is a unique type of monofloral honey produced by bees from the nectar of the manuka tea tree, Leptospermum scoparium, which grows uncultivated throughout both south-eastern New Zealand and Australia.
The plants are only native to the remote hills and forests. And on top of it, the tree has a short blooming season and the bees have to work very hard, being “busy as a bee” from dawn to dusk, making this type of honey even rarer.
Is regular honey as good as manuka?
No. Although any honey contains a naturally-occurring enzyme that produces hydrogen peroxide which, in turn, gives most honey its antibiotic quality, manuka honey is enriched in a super-powerful antibacterial ingredient – methylglyoxal (MG). That’s why manuka honey has extra powerful antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiviral, antioxidant, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties. The higher the concentration of MG, the stronger the antibiotic effect.
Manuka honey quality testing and ratings
Although, manuka honey can be found in many Korean and Japanese cosmetic lines, European brands have started using this ingredient in their beauty products quite recently. And there was a problem – how they could be sure that the honey is real manuka, not fake?
So, starting from January 2018, manuka honey must pass five the Manuka Honey Science Definition tests to be labeled as manuka: 4 are chemical and 1 is DNA of Leptospermum scoparium.
Manuka honey grading system includes the following measurements:
- MGO (MG) that measures the levels of methylglyoxal (has to be at least 250)
- UMF, the Unique Manuka Factor, that measures a variety of other compounds in the honey (has to be at least 16+)
The higher the number in any of these, the higher the quality of manuka honeys.
Real manuka honey is raw and unpasteurized
Real manuka honey is raw and unpasteurized, even if it’s not indicated, because pasteurization completely destroys the beneficial enzymes in any type of honey.
Raw honey made from any type of flower or plant, including manuka, is honey in its natural state, meaning it has not been strained, filtered or heated. The minimal processing of raw honey is often why it includes particles of wax, propolis and pollen.
Commercial honey is pasteurized (heated to high temperatures) and filtered to kill any yeast that may be present in order to prevent fermentation. This process kills not only yeast but good bacteria too.
Manuka honey is the Champagne in the honey world, the liquid gold of skincare products.
Manuka honey is the Champagne in the honey world
Manuka honey is the Champagne in the honey world, the liquid gold of skincare products. While healthy eaters recommend eating a teaspoon of Manuka honey three times a day, beauty enthusiasts call the sweet component a superfood for skin and hair because it has many beauty benefits.
Thanks to a super-powerful antibacterial compound – methylglyoxal – that naturally occurs in manuka, the honey has the ability to calm and moisturize reactive skin in more ways than one. It nourishes the healthy bacteria on the skin’s microbiome and prevents acne-causing bacteria from multiplying.
- 100% natural: This gentle skincare treatment is100% natural: no parabens, no phthalates, no fragrance, and no toxic chemicals.
- Bad bacteria killer: Folic and ascorbic acids in honey determine its antibacterial effect and the ability to disinfect
- pH optimizer: Honey balances your skin’s pH level helping good bacteria to stay healthy.
- Skin moisturizer: It gives your face a natural, dewy glow, drawing moisture from the air and pulling it into your skin, and seals it in.
- Skin purifier: The enzymes provide a gentle exfoliation, leaving your skin baby soft and glowing.
- Skin soother: The anti-inflammatory and healing properties of manuka soothe your skin and can reduce redness.
- Skin cleanser: Honey helps slough away dead cell debris to keep your skin clean
Simply apply manuka honey to your face one or two times per week to get the best results. But start with a patch test to make sure your skin wouldn’t have an allergic reaction even though you are not allergic to bees or honey, it’s always better to be safe.
Probably, your never-ending quest for the most natural and simplest skincare treatment might end here? Acne or inflammation, dark spots or wrinkles, oily or dry – manuka honey is a perfect natural solution for all your skin problems. However, if you are allergic to honey, then sorry, manuka honey facials are not for you.
