8 Reasons Why You Need to Add Manuka Honey To Your Beauty Routine

By: Crista Lacqua

Last December, I suffered from an awful cold. I would wake up each day feeling fatigued and having an overall unwell feeling. My skin looked dull and I, subsequently, felt dull. I didn’t want to turn to OTC drugs, so my mom recommended I took two spoonfuls of New Zealand Manuka Honey ($46; wedderspoon.com) daily. After taking it just once, I immediately felt a dramatic difference (and it was not a placebo effect).

I always knew to take honey if I was under the weather, but Manuka Honey? What was the difference? After doing much research, I came to find this powerful honey to be a better, all natural alternative to traditional medications. And not only do I now use it for health benefits, but I incorporate it into my beauty routine as well.  Below are 8 reasons that will make you go to the store and purchase not one, but two jars of this heavenly honey.

1. Use it as a topical treatment to heal wounds

People from the ancient times would use Manuka Honey to heal wounds because it destroys bacteria, parasites, fungi and viruses due to the honey’s antioxidants and antibacterial properties.

2. It can even fight Staph infection

Oxacillin is the drug used to treat the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and Manuka Honey has been proven to make the bacteria more defenseless to the antibiotic.

3. It can prevent a secondary infection

Secondary infections aren’t fun, but they’re preventable. Manuka Honey is known for its antibacterial properties and its thick, gooey texture (unlike regular honey), which all help form a protective barrier on the lesion that prevents pathogens from entering.

4. It shortens a cut’s healing time

Manuka Honey has anti-inflammatory properties.  If you want to get real science-y, know that it reduces inflammation by stimulating the production of cytokines. And for those who don’t know what cytokines are, they’re molecules known as the “chemical messengers” of the body, and are vital to keeping the immune system functioning.

5. You can also use it as a topical treatment for skin irritations such as psoriasis  

The healing properties of Manuka honey do wonders.  Although not scientifically proven, it has been claimed to help reduce inflammation caused by skin irritations like eczema, psoriasis, etc.

6. It reduces redness on the skin, especially in areas of blemishes

Once again, Manuka Honey’s magical anti-inflammatory property does wonders.  Who knew the secret to healing blemishes was right in the grocery store aisle?

7. Ingesting two spoonfuls a day will better your immune system

When you ingest Manuka Honey, you are increasing your body’s levels of cytokines, which in turn enhances immune response.  See you later, unnecessary colds!

8. And by ingesting it, it also helps reduce allergy symptoms

That’s what I’m talkin’ about.  

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