Manuka honey is a dense, dark amber-coloured honey. It is the honey produced by bees from the manuka flower nectar, originally from New Zealand. It is very rich in micronutrients and oxidising substances such as polyphenols. It contains a substance called methylglyoxal, also known by its acronym MGO, which is attributed with very remarkable antimicrobial properties.
It can be taken in moderation in a varied and balanced diet as a natural sweetener. It provides sugars and, to a lesser extent, minerals and vitamins. A teaspoon of manuka honey in herbal tea, or as an ingredient in a dietary supplement, will provide comfort and a demulcent effect to soothe cough symptoms in colds.
In cosmetics, it is also a very useful ingredient in lip balms, face creams, makeup removers or body milk and cleansers. Its regenerating, healing and nourishing properties are used in skin care.