Why is Mānuka special? (The sciency bit)

New Zealand mānuka honey is a monofloral honey made from the nectar of the mānuka tree, Leptospermum scoparium. While all honey has some natural antibacterial properties, mānuka honey is unique. Its activity is stronger, more stable, and more widely studied than most other honeys.

For generations, mānuka honey has been used in traditional care. Today, modern science helps explain why it behaves differently and what its benefits realistically are.

Antibacterial activity and MGO

The defining feature of New Zealand mānuka honey is its antibacterial activity. This is largely due to a naturally occurring compound called methylglyoxal, commonly known as MGO. MGO develops as the honey matures and is present at much higher levels in mānuka honey than in other honeys.

Scientific studies show that mānuka honey can inhibit the growth of a wide range of bacteria, including antibiotic resistant strains such as MRSA. A major review published in Frontiers in Microbiology explains how mānuka honey acts through multiple mechanisms rather than a single pathway:
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2018.01035/full

In addition to MGO, mānuka honey contains hydrogen peroxide, natural acidity, and plant derived compounds. Together, these create an environment that limits bacterial growth while remaining suitable for human tissue.

Anti inflammatory properties

Inflammation is part of the body’s natural defence system, but excessive or prolonged inflammation can slow healing. Research suggests mānuka honey may help regulate this response.

Laboratory studies using immune cells show that mānuka honey can reduce the release of inflammatory markers while increasing antioxidant activity. This supports a more balanced healing response rather than suppressing inflammation entirely. One such study was published in The Journal of Inflammation:
https://journal-inflammation.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12950-017-0163-3

This helps explain why mānuka honey is often described as soothing when applied to irritated or damaged tissue.

Wound healing and clinical use

Because of its antibacterial and anti inflammatory properties, mānuka honey has been widely studied for wound care. Medical grade mānuka honey is now used in hospitals for burns, ulcers, and slow healing wounds.

Clinical reviews show that wounds treated with mānuka honey often have lower infection levels, healthier tissue formation, and improved healing outcomes. A detailed overview published by Wounds International summarises this evidence:
https://www.woundsinternational.com/resources/details/manuka-honey-wound-care

In 2007, medical grade mānuka honey was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for use in wound treatment, recognising its evidence based role in modern clinical care.

Trace minerals and purity testing

Alongside its bioactive compounds, mānuka honey contains small amounts of naturally occurring minerals. These include calcium, potassium, magnesium, zinc and iron. While honey is not a primary mineral source, these trace elements contribute to its overall composition.

The mineral content of mānuka honey has been analysed using laboratory techniques such as atomic absorption spectroscopy. A comparative study published in Food Chemistry found that New Zealand mānuka honey contained notably high levels of calcium compared with other honeys:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308814610002222

Testing also confirms that high quality mānuka honey is free from harmful levels of heavy metals and pesticide residues when properly sourced and independently verified.

A science backed natural honey

Mānuka honey is not a cure all, and it does not need to be. Its value lies in the strength of the evidence behind it. From MGO driven antibacterial activity to carefully tested purity and mineral content, New Zealand mānuka honey is shaped by its environment and supported by science.

Each batch is influenced by place, season, and natural variation. That variation is expected, traceable, and part of what makes genuine mānuka honey distinctive.