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Manuka Honey Health Benefits

Question:
What are the health benefits of manuka honey, and is it safe?
Reviewed and edited by Tod Cooperman, M.D. Tod Cooperman, M.D.
Initial Posting: 11/2/2019    Last Update: 11/26/2019
Health Benefits of Manuka Honey -- jar of manuka honey
Answer:
Manuka honey has unique chemical characteristics and is promoted for a range of uses: Topically for wounds; orally for constipation; and as a mouthwash for gum disease. However, the clinical evidence supporting these uses is weak and, in some cases, is based on evidence from honey other than manuka, as described in the full answer >>

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COMMENTS
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Leslie Spagat20173   June 13, 2020
How about use for chronic strep throat
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ConsumerLab.com   June 17, 2020
There does not appear to be research on the effects of manuka honey on chronic strep throat. One small study found that a small amount of honey from wildflowers (swished in the mouth for five minutes and then swallowed) reduced the counts of Streptococcus mutans in the mouths of patients with head and neck cancer who had undergone radiation therapy (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10784339/).
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Marc18684   November 28, 2019
So if Manuka honey lowers WBC will it benefit a person with CLL? CLL (Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia) is a high white blood cell count which needs to be lowered. Any comments or feedback please.
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ConsumerLab.com   December 31, 2019
Hi Marc - As noted in the answer and in our comment below, manuka honey is not known to lower white blood cell counts, but raw honey or honeycomb should be avoided by people with low white blood cell counts as they may be more susceptible to infections from raw honey.
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S18674   November 25, 2019
FYI, Manuka may/will lower White Blood Cell Count (WBC).
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ConsumerLab.com   November 26, 2019
Manuka honey is not known to lower white blood cell counts in people, but any raw honey should be avoided by people with low white blood cells counts, as explained in the "Is it safe?" section of our Answer above.
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Virginia18603   November 5, 2019
My last 3 UTI's were successfully treated by a topical mixture of manuka honey and water, and I no longer have to visit an urgent care for antibiotics to try for relief -- and often having to try again because certain antibiotics didn't work.
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ConsumerLab.com   November 8, 2019
While it is great that you seem to have benefited, be aware that there are no clinical studies with manuka honey for treating UTIs.
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K18613   November 8, 2019
wish I knew this sooner - could have saved a great deal of money having it sent directly from
new Zealand; never too late now have a direct free supply of organic blueberry Canadian honey which is just the most delicious
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Ben18625   November 12, 2019
We, my wife and I have used manuka hone for scrapes, burns and even small open wounds ever since we first learned about it over 30 years ago. Any wounds, burns or scrapes treated with it have all healed successfully with no store bought help. I will add, though, that since childhood, my mother used hone from our hives to successfully treat my injuries. I'm 88 years old.
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Catherine18680   November 27, 2019
I'm just curious, you said you used a topical mixture of Manuka honey and water for a UTI. Where did you apply it on your body? Thanks.
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Ben19026   January 18, 2020
While Manuka Honey is beneficial for all types of wounds and infections, a regimen of top-of-the-line Probiotics has been found to end most UTIs. My Beloved had been treated for over twenty years for UTI with antibiotics and still had flare-ups. Five years ago, after getting an OK from her doctor, she started on probiotics and hasn't had ANY more problems and is off the meds.
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kerry19772   May 1, 2020
D-Mannose works wonderfully for UTIs, I've used it in the past when I've had them
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ConsumerLab.com   May 1, 2020
For information about this, see our CL Answer about D-mannose for urinary tract infections https://www.consumerlab.com/answers/can-d-mannose-help-to-prevent-urinary-tract-infections/D-Mannose_UTI/.
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Beth20036   May 26, 2020
Topical treatment? How was that applied for a UTI?
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G18602   November 4, 2019
would be interested to hear of anyone's experience using manuka honey - sterile or raw - for nasal staph.
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Alison18592   November 3, 2019
It's also extremely delicious. I've never cared for the taste of regular honey but I LOVE the taste of Manuka honey.
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Ben18626   November 12, 2019
Actually, I've found that different sources have slightly different flavors, though most have a slightly (only very slightly) aftertaste.
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Ralph18589   November 3, 2019
A highly regarded wound doctor in the Dallas area uses MediHoney on severe leg wounds that do not respond to conventional treatment. When used to treat a relative the results were outstanding. I have personally used commerical Manuka honey to treat a would required plastic surgery. It is healing nicely without leaving a scar.
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Elizabeth 18594   November 4, 2019
Did you use sterile manuka honey? Just curious becuz article notes it should be sterile, but I've never seen that in a store.
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J Naomi18605   November 5, 2019
I've seen sterile manuka honey sold online for hundreds of US dollars! I used Manuka honey from SPROUTS for a blister kitchen burn and it's healed beautifully...
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Share your thoughts and comments about this topic in the space below. Please abide by the following rules:
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This CL Answer initially posted on 11/2/2019. Last updated 11/26/2019.
ConsumerLab.com members may submit questions to CLAnswers@ConsumerLab.com. We read all questions and try to answer those of popular interest.
 
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