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Our Members Asked:
What are the health benefits of manuka honey, and is it safe?
Medically reviewed and edited by Tod Cooperman, M.D.
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 >>Join today to unlock all member benefits including full access to all CL Answers and over 1,300 reviews.
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Related CL Answers (2)
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Henry20536
August 9, 2020ConsumberLab--please do an analysis of the brands and UMF levels of manuka honey! We'd really appreciate it.
Kathleen23443
September 29, 2021Agree! Just purchased Wedderspoon manuka for skin psoriasis and also would like to compare brands.
victor23521
October 11, 2021I only purchase Wedderspoon brand of KFactor 16 Manuka and I do believe that it works.
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Leslie Spagat20173
June 13, 2020How about use for chronic strep throat
ConsumerLab.com
June 17, 2020There 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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Marco
November 28, 2019So 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.
ConsumerLab.com
December 31, 2019Hi 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, 2019FYI, Manuka may/will lower White Blood Cell Count (WBC).
ConsumerLab.com
November 26, 2019Manuka 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, 2019My 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.
ConsumerLab.com
November 8, 2019While it is great that you seem to have benefited, be aware that there are no clinical studies with manuka honey for treating UTIs.
K18613
November 8, 2019wish 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
Ben18625
November 12, 2019We, 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.
Cat America
November 27, 2019I'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.
Ben19026
January 18, 2020While 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.
kerry19772
May 1, 2020D-Mannose works wonderfully for UTIs, I've used it in the past when I've had them
ConsumerLab.com
May 1, 2020For 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/.
Beth20036
May 26, 2020Topical treatment? How was that applied for a UTI?
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G18602
November 4, 2019would be interested to hear of anyone’s experience using manuka honey - sterile or raw - for nasal staph.
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Alison18592
November 3, 2019It's also extremely delicious. I've never cared for the taste of regular honey but I LOVE the taste of Manuka honey.
Ben18626
November 12, 2019Actually, 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, 2019A 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.
Elizabeth 18594
November 4, 2019Did you use sterile manuka honey? Just curious becuz article notes it should be sterile, but I’ve never seen that in a store.
J Naomi18605
November 5, 2019I'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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