Manuka honey is known for its healing properties, its hydrating qualities, and its antioxidant and antibacterial properties…but can it also be good for hay fever and treating allergies? This sweet but sticky substance has a lot of medicinal benefits, making it one of the best natural ingredients out there.
In this blog, we explore what makes manuka honey so special, including:
- The difference between manuka honey vs regular honey
- Health benefits of manuka honey
- How you can use manuka honey for allergies
Read on to learn more about the wonders of Manuka honey and why we love it so much.
What is Manuka Honey?
Manuka honey is a unique type of honey that’s native to New Zealand. Made from bees that pollinate the Manuka bush, it’s considered one of the world’s most beneficial forms of honey. It’s renowned for its antibacterial properties and is more powerful than traditional forms of honey thanks to its high concentration of Methylglyoxal. This natural healing agent is known to treat a variety of dermal issues, in addition to boosting the immune system, fighting wrinkles, soothing sore throats, healing wounds, easing stomach pain, and improving digestion.
Manuka Honey vs Regular Honey
Manuka honey differs from regular honey because it contains 1,000x more Methylglyoxal, a unique enzyme that gives it its supreme healing qualities. The high concentration of Methylglyoxal gives manuka honey its renowned antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties we love it for.
Understanding an Allergy
An allergy is when your body reacts to something that is normally harmless such as pet fur, dust, certain foods, or pollen. These are known as allergens. Symptoms of an allergy can range from mild to severe. Common symptoms of an allergic reaction include wheezing or breathlessness, sneezing, swollen eyes, lips, mouth, or throat, sneezing, itchy skin, rashes, or hives.
Manuka Honey Allergy Relief for Hay Fever
Hay fever, also known as allergic rhinitis, results when pollen produced from plants gets inhaled by humans. The immune system perceives pollen as a threat which causes it to release chemicals called histamines.This is what leads to common allergy symptoms. Hayfever is not just limited to spring. One of the best natural remedies for alleviating seasonal allergic symptoms from hayfever is manuka honey. You can take it directly by the spoonful.
Topical Manuka Honey
Many people swear by swiping an ointment under their nose during pollen season to help trap pollen before it enters your nose. We just happen to have an amazing ointment made with Manuka Honey, the Organic Manuka Skin Soothing Cream. This oil-based cream is made with just 6 ingredients: organic olive oil, organic beeswax, filtered water, grape seed oil, New Zealand manuka honey, and manuka oil extract. This combination of wholesome and nourishing ingredients makes it the perfect solution for dealing with psoriasis, rosacea, eczema, diaper rash, burns, acne, cuts or scrapes, or allergy-prone skin.
You can apply this gentle cream anywhere on your body, including delicate areas like the face. Its non-burning and non-sticky formula makes it a favorite amongst kids and adults alike.
Thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, it can also help prevent infection if relentless scratching from itchy skin causes the skin to crack or bleed. Apply it directly to the affected area to soothe hives, reduce rashes, and eliminate redness. Its moisturizing qualities will also help combat itchiness and give your skin the relief it deserves.
If it’s your first time using this skincare product, we recommend doing a small patch test first to see how your skin reacts before applying it to the rest of your body.
