Sore throats can be some of the most annoying symptoms of a common cold. It can be difficult to sleep, eat, and talk when your throat is in pain.
Over-the-counter medication can help alleviate symptoms, but these can come with some side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, and stomach pain. However, there is a sweet medicine that can provide relief without the side effects!.
What is Manuka Honey?
Manuka honey is a special kind of honey that is only produced in New Zealand from bees that pollinate the country’s native manuka bush.
This bush has been used as a traditional remedy for centuries, but it wasn’t until the 1980s when scientists discovered that manuka honey contains special health benefits.
What Makes Manuka Honey Unique?
The health benefits of manuka honey come from its high levels of compounds such as methylglyoxal (MGO), dihydroxyacetone (DHA), and hydrogen peroxide. These compounds give manuka honey its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.
No other type of honey has such high amounts of these compounds, making manuka honey a unique and effective natural remedy.
How Manuka Honey Can Help with Sore Throats
Manuka honey has been shown to be effective in treating sore throats due to its antibacterial properties. When you have a sore throat, it is often due to a bacterial infection, and manuka honey can help fight off those bacteria.
Research has found that manuka honey can even be effective against antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as MRSA.
In addition to its antibacterial properties, manuka honey can also help soothe the pain and inflammation of a sore throat. It forms a protective barrier over the throat, which can help reduce irritation and scratching.
Plus, manuka honey has been found to stimulate the immune system, which can help the body fight off the infection naturally.
How to Use Manuka Honey for Sore Throats
Manuka honey can be consumed in two ways. You can eat it straight from the jar or mix it into warm water to create a honey tea. To get the full benefits, it is recommended to use manuka honey with a UMF (Unique Manuka Factor) rating of at least 10+.
UMF is a scale that measures the potency of manuka honey’s antibacterial properties. The higher the UMF rating, the more effective the honey is at fighting bacteria.
When consuming manuka honey for a sore throat, it is recommended to take a teaspoonful every few hours and swallow slowly. This will help allow the honey to coat the throat and provide relief.
You can also mix manuka honey with lemon juice and warm water for a soothing and delicious drink.
Other Health Benefits of Manuka Honey
Manuka honey isn’t just beneficial for sore throats. It has been found to have other health benefits such as:.
- Reducing acid reflux and GERD symptoms
- Improving digestive health
- Improving skin health and even help treat acne and eczema
- Boosting overall immune function
Conclusion
If you are looking for a natural and effective remedy for sore throats, manuka honey may be just what you need.
Its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties make it a powerful therapeutic agent that can not only relieve sore throat pain but also improve overall health. Just make sure to purchase manuka honey with a UMF rating of at least 10+ to ensure maximum potency.