How to take Manuka: our guide to dosage and application

The benefits of consuming active Manuka honey (or Jellybush honey) for healing and good health are known to many and the research is emerging to back it up. But you may be wondering How to take Manuka?

How do I take Manuka honey?

It is generally taken by the spoonful, used in drinks and applied directly to the skin. There are many recipes and ideas for using active Manuka honey, some of which you can view on our pinterest page.

Dosage – taken internally

Taking a spoonful of undiluted Manuka honey allows it to be readily and quickly absorbed by the body. Usually, the dosage ranges from one to three teaspoons of raw Manuka honey per day.

Your dose and method will vary depending on your reason for using medicinal honey. The benefits can be felt within a few days of consuming it daily, and many people increase their dose, from teaspoons, up to 3-4 tablespoons per day for 3 months and beyond.  But please seek professional medical advice if you have an infection or suffer from a serious illness.

Due to a low occurrence of infant botulism, raw honey is not recommended for infants under 12 months, although cooked honey would be OK.

For an energy boost

Manuka honey has a nutrient dense profile and its natural sugars and carbohydrates are quickly and  easily absorbed by the body. It is excellent for sports, fitness and training sessions, giving you a quick energy boost.

Digestive and internal infections

If you are using Manuka for healing internal infections or aiding the digestion process, it’s recommended to consume it with food, which slows down absorption so the honey can work it’s magic on your stomach. You may take up to 4 spoons daily. It has been reported to sooth the gi tract, aid IBS symptoms, discourage bad bacteria and encourage the beneficial bacteria of your stomach.

Enhanced immunity

Including a spoonful of Manuka honey in your daily diet is a great way to combat the cold and flu season for the whole family. For colds and flu symptoms, take a spoonful before meals and once before bedtime.

Antibacterial and microbial

Current research is focusing on how active honey is even able to conquer antibiotic resistant bacteria. (Such as E.Coli – See study here) Many people also report relief from seasonal allergies by consuming raw Manuka honey daily.

With drinks

Give your body a nutrient and energy boost by adding Manuka honey to your daily drinks. You could take it with your morning warm water to start off your day. You can add it to smoothies,

warm milk, yogurt or juice in place of sweeteners. For an irritated throat, you can use it together with lemon in warm water to soothe. See our pinterest page for ideas on smoothies and recipes that can aid healing.

External Application as wound and skin care

Active Manuka honey can be applied to areas with wounds, acne, eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea. It is usually applied after cleansing the infected area and then covered with a sterile dressing overnight, or you can change it every few hours. Applied this way, it is not messy For cuts and burns, wipe wound with a sterile cloth, removing any foreign objects and then apply honey directly to wound using a sterile cotton tip or cloth. Cover and repeat as needed, up to a few times per day. The honey will help draw any foreign objects to the surface, and aid in skin repair, whilst its antibacterial properties keep infection at bay. But please do seek professional medical advice for any serious wounds or wounds that aren’t getting better.

Acne

You can lightly apply honey as you would a facial mask. Leave it for an hour and then wash with warm water and soap. The process is then repeated daily until results are evident. See our pinterest page for lots of recipe ideas on how to use Manuka honey for health benefits and beauty applications.

How to take Manuka honey for pets

Some of our customers have even applied Manuka honey to their horses and dogs for skin care of minor sores and wounds.

For more info, check out the paper “Honey: its medicinal property and antibacterial activity”.

We hope you have enjoyed our guide on How to take Manuka honey.