 By Frank McCann
Who doesn’t want to be that little bit healthier? Especially if improving your health involves minimal effort. With this in mind we’ve made it our mission to bring you news each week of a product, a foodstuff, an exercise technique or a pill that promises potentially magical health-giving properties.
This week’s magic ingredient: Manuka Honey.
Not to be confused with: Bazooka. Verruca.Verdan Corluka.
Manuka Honey. Haven’t I heard of that? You most likely have. Manuka Honey’s popularity has skyrocketed in Ireland over the last few years.
Why is it popular? It is believed to be a magnificent healing aid. It is used to treat conditions caused by bacteria, fungus and parasites. Manuka Honey attacks bad bacteria without harming the good bacteria in our bodies.
Where does it come from? It comes from bees that feed on the nectar of the Manuka plant. It is most commonly found in New Zealand.
So, what makes it different to any other honey? Basically, it’s much more natural than regular honey. Honey you buy in the shop has been processed several times and this causes it to lose many of its healing properties. Manuka Honey is raw and unprocessed so it retains all it healing goodness!
Sounds like the business, so. So what can it heal? Manuka Honey can heal many conditions. It is most commonly used to treat the MRSA infection but is also consumed to aid the healing of Acne, Eczema, Psoriasis and other skin conditions.
So are we looking at just another fad, or does it actually work? Apparently it does. New research by FASEB (Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology) showed that that bees make a protein that they add to the honey called defensin-1, which is used to treat skin conditions and burns. If they use big words like that, it must be true!
Ok, I’m convinced. Where do I get me some of this magic honey? There are several different grades of Manuka Honey with anything 10+ considered to be strong. It is very easy to find and is sold in health shops nationwide.
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Aideen McQueen – Faith healers, Coolock craic and Gigging as Gaeilge
