The Origins of Skincare's Sweetest Secret
Manuka honey, a natural marvel hailing from the pristine landscapes of New Zealand and parts of Australia, has captivated the world with its unique properties and health benefits. But this golden elixir is more than just a sweet treat; it’s a testament to nature’s ingenuity and the remarkable symbiosis between bees and the environment.
Manuka honey is exclusively produced by bees that pollinate the Manuka bush (Leptospermum scoparium), a tea tree native to New Zealand and southeastern Australia. Manuka is a hardy shrub that thrives in the rugged terrain and unique climate of these regions, producing delicate white or pink flowers that are the source of Manuka honey’s distinctive characteristics.
Unlike regular honey, Manuka honey boasts a unique chemical composition that sets it apart. The key to its potency lies in a compound called methylglyoxal (MGO), which is derived from dihydroxyacetone (DHA) found in high concentrations in Manuka flower nectar(1). This compound, along with other bioactive elements like flavonoids and polyphenols, contributes to Manuka honey’s powerful antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties(2).
Manuka honey, a natural marvel hailing from the pristine landscapes of New Zealand and parts of Australia, has captivated the world with its unique properties and health benefits. But this golden elixir is more than just a sweet treat; it’s a testament to nature’s ingenuity and the remarkable symbiosis between bees and the environment.
Manuka honey is exclusively produced by bees that pollinate the Manuka bush (Leptospermum scoparium), a tea tree native to New Zealand and southeastern Australia. Manuka is a hardy shrub that thrives in the rugged terrain and unique climate of these regions, producing delicate white or pink flowers that are the source of Manuka honey’s distinctive characteristics.
Unlike regular honey, Manuka honey boasts a unique chemical composition that sets it apart. The key to its potency lies in a compound called methylglyoxal (MGO), which is derived from dihydroxyacetone (DHA) found in high concentrations in Manuka flower nectar(1). This compound, along with other bioactive elements like flavonoids and polyphenols, contributes to Manuka honey’s powerful antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties(2).
The versatility of Manuka honey extends beyond its medicinal uses. In skincare, it’s prized for its moisturizing and antibacterial properties, making it an excellent ingredient for treating dry skin and promoting a healthy complexion(2). Its natural antioxidants also make it a popular addition to anti-aging formulations.
As a natural sweetener, Manuka honey adds depth and complexity to culinary creations while potentially offering health benefits. It’s also gaining popularity as a remedy for sore throats and coughs, with some studies suggesting it may be more effective than over-the-counter cough suppressants(1).
In short, Manuka honey stands as a testament to the power of nature’s pharmacy. Its unique origins, potent properties, and versatile applications make it a truly remarkable substance. As research continues to uncover new potential benefits, Manuka honey’s reputation as a natural wonder is likely to grow, cementing its place in both traditional and modern approaches to health and wellness.
Causing a Buzz in the Scientific Community
At Blossom Essentials, we’ve worked tirelessly to find the most effective ways to harness the power of Manuka honey in our skincare products. But we don’t just go by anecdotal evidence and current trends. We’ve made sure to do our homework and found out exactly why Manuka honey is a scientifically proven skincare powerhouse. Here’s just a small sample of the amazing research we’ve found on the benefits of Manuka honey in skincare and beyond:
In a recent study from 2023, Alangari et al.4 highlighted the benefits of Manuka honey in the treatment of traumatic and surgical wounds, burns, and various types of ulcers. The authors outlined Manuka honey’s complex composition as a contributing factor to its therapeutic potential, especially in skincare, with its components including carbohydrates, minerals, and potential ligands of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AHR), a key regulator of skin homeostasis.
The study also focused on Manuka Honey’s ability to downregulate IL 4-induced CCL26 expression in keratinocytes, which is significant for managing skin inflammation. Furthermore, Manuka honey was found to activate the AHR, leading to reduced production of the potent eosinophil chemoattractant CCL26, thereby ameliorating symptoms of atopic dermatitis such as erythema, edema, and excoriation, and underscoring Manuka honey’s unique chemical composition and its promising role in dermatological therapies.
Similarly, an earlier study by Alvarez-Suarez et al.(5) found that it was Manuka honey’s unique chemical composition, including high levels of methylglyoxal (MGO) and other bioactive compounds, contributes to its effectiveness. The authors also noted that Manuka honey had a remarkably low pH, which inhibits microbial growth and promotes the bactericidal actions of macrophages, making it a valuable natural remedy for skin-related issues.
Other interesting findings regarding Manuka honey highlighted its antioxidant properties, which help protect against oxidative damage, reducing DNA atrophy and enhancing the activity of
antioxidant enzymes. These attributes suggest that Manuka honey can be an effective natural supplement for improving skin health and treating infections,
making it a promising alternative in wound care and dermatological applications.
In 2022, a study by Arora et al.6 focused primarily on the antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory effects of Manuka honey, wherein the researchers underscored Manuka honey’s ability to decrease the progression of eczema by reducing bacterial colonization and inflammation. Another study by Alangari et al.(7) (this time in 2017) tested the effect of a direct application of Manuka honey on atopic dermatitis over the course of seven days, concluding that “atopic dermatitis lesions significantly improved post Manuka honey treatment versus pre-treatment as compared to control lesions”.(7)
Finally, although not working specifically with Manuka honey, Al-Waili et al.(8) showed that a mixture of natural honey, beeswax (another key ingredient in our Hydration Repair Honey Salve), and olive oil effectively treated atopic eczema and psoriasis. This mixture also inhibited the growth of Candida albicans, a dermatophytic species causing dermatoses.
All in all, these and many other studies collectively highlight Manuka honey’s potential as a therapeutic agent for managing skin conditions, emphasizing its unique chemical composition and natural production methods.
Amazing Bee-auty Applications
Our Hydration Repair Honey Salve, specially formulated with Manuka honey, is a fantastic tool for your dry skincare routine. Here are some of our favorite applications that will leave your skin glowing and rejuvenated:
🐝 Menopausal skin can become itchy and dry, and is much slower to repair than the skin of younger women. With a daily application of Hydration Repair Honey Salve, you’ll see firmer and calmer skin in just weeks!
🐝 Common skin complaints such as eczema and dermatitis can be a real pain, but they needn’t be. The powerful ingredients in our honey salve, including Manuka honey, are specially formulated to help alleviate these kinds of symptoms.
🐝 We regular application of our honey salve on areas of dry or cracked skin to truly take advantage of the Manuka honey’s moisture-boosting properties.
🐝 Outbreaks of psoriasis or rosacea can be calmed by our Manuka honey salve, with a visible reduction in redness after just a few days.
🐝 Even itchy or sore skin from insect bites, plant stings, or sunburn can be soothed with a simple application of Hydration Repair Honey Salve.
Regular price
$40
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A potent blend of organic Manuka honey, nourishing oils, and natural moisturizers penetrates deeply for intense hydration and relief from dry or itchy skin. This salve quickly soothes and repairs damaged skin, leaving it revitalized, healthy, and wonderfully soft.
Sources
1. https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/manuka-honey-medicinal-uses
2. https://pharmeasy.in/blog/manuka-honey-research-based-insights-into-its-unique-
health-benefits/
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6613335/
4. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1043661823002049
5. https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/3/3/420
6. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667031322000422
7. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/iid3.153
8. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0188440904001134