How to Eat Manuka Honey

Manuka honey is a special type of honey with antibacterial properties produced in New Zealand. The bees that make this honey feed off of the manuka bush.[1] If you'd like to eat manuka honey as a supplement, you can take it raw by the spoonful. Or, you can combine honey with foods and beverages to savor its flavor while also reaping its potential health benefits.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Taking Manuka Honey as a Supplement

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    Opt for Manuka honey with a UMF of 16 or higher. UMF stands for Unique Manuka Factor, and the higher the number, the more active compounds are in the honey.[2] To supplement with manuka honey, find a brand with a UMF rating of 16 or higher.[3]
    • The UMF rating should be in the upper right corner of the product's label.
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    Take 1 to 2 teaspoons (5 to 10 mL) of manuka honey twice daily. If you want to take spoonfuls of pure manuka honey as a daily supplement, take 1 to 2 teaspoons (5 to 10 mL) twice daily. You can take the honey any time of day, or try taking your manuka honey once in the morning and once at night.[4]
    • There's no harm in consuming more than 2 to 4 teaspoons (10 to 20 mL) of manuka honey daily, but since honey is mostly sugar, it is a good idea to moderate how much you consume.[5]
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    Use manuka honey to help soothe a sore throat. Taking a spoonful of manuka honey when you're sick with a cold can be helpful. Take the honey straight from a spoon to help coat and soothe your throat if it's sore. Manuka honey has antibacterial properties, so it may be helpful for a variety of respiratory ailments.[6]
    • Drinking 1 to 2 teaspoons (5 to 10 mL) of manuka honey mixed with 8  fl oz (240 mL) of warm water and 2  fl oz (59 mL) of lemon juice is another great way to soothe a sore throat when you have a cold.
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    Take manuka honey to help with digestive issues. If you suffer from indigestion or other stomach issues, then manuka honey may be helpful. Take a dose of manuka honey if you're feeling bloated or have an upset stomach.[7]
    • Try sweetening a cup of peppermint tea with manuka honey when you have an upset stomach. Peppermint tea can help with indigestion and nausea.

    Warning: Never give honey to children under 1 year old! Giving honey to a baby under 1 year puts them at risk of infant botulism.[8]

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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Mixing Manuka Honey with Foods

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    Mix manuka honey with warm milk for a soothing bedtime beverage. If you need a warm beverage to help you relax at night, mix 1 to 2 teaspoons (5 to 10 mL) of manuka honey with 8  fl oz (240 mL) of milk or an herbal tea, such as peppermint or chamomile.[9]
    • Allow the milk or water to cool for 5 to 10 minutes before stirring in the honey. Do not mix manuka honey with boiling hot liquids as this will destroy the beneficial properties of the honey.
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    Combine vinegar, oil, and manuka honey for a simple salad dressing. You can pair any kind of vinegar or oil with manuka honey. Try equal parts manuka honey, white wine vinegar, and olive oil, or equal parts manuka honey, balsamic vinegar, and sesame oil. Then, season the dressing with salt and pepper to taste.[10]
    • You can also use an equal amount of citrus juice in place of the vinegar. Try fresh lemon, lime, or orange juice in your manuka honey dressing.
    • Try adding fresh or dried herbs to the dressing as well. Thyme, rosemary, basil, and oregano are great options for adding extra flavor to your manuka honey dressing.
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    Sweeten beverages with 1 to 2 teaspoons of manuka honey. You can use manuka honey as a sweetener in your favorite beverages just like you would use regular honey or sugar. Stir the honey into your drink until it is well combined with the liquid.[11]
    • Try making a manuka honey lemonade with 1 to 2 teaspoons (5 to 10 mL) of manuka honey, 8  fl oz (240 mL) of water, and 1  fl oz (30 mL) of fresh lemon juice.
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    Replace a small amount of sugar for manuka honey in baked goods. You can use manuka honey as a sweetener in baked goods, but since it can be quite expensive and it has a stronger flavor than sugar or regular honey, you may only want to substitute a small amount. Try reducing the amount of your sugar or other sweetener by 1 to 2 tablespoons (15 to 30 mg) and adding in this amount of manuka honey.[12]
    • Try incorporating a small amount of manuka honey into cakes, muffins, breads, and cookies for a richer flavor.

    Tip: Keep in mind that heating the honey will destroy some of its beneficial properties, so only bake with manuka honey if you only want the added flavor it provides.

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    Drizzle manuka honey on pancakes, waffles, or toast. Instead of maple syrup or jam, get out your jar of manuka honey when you set the breakfast table. Use manuka honey the same way you would use maple syrup or jam to flavor your favorite breakfast foods.[13]
    • Add 1 to 2 teaspoons (5 to 10 mL) of manuka honey to cooked your oatmeal to sweeten it up.
    • Pour 1 to 2 teaspoons (5 to 10 mL) of manuka honey over your pancakes or waffles.
    • Drizzle 1 to 2 teaspoons (5 to 10 mL) of manuka honey over buttered toast, bagels, or English muffins.
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Warnings

  • Due to the high sugar content of manuka honey, it's best to consult your doctor before using manuka honey if you have diabetes.[14]
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References

  1. ↑ https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-drug/def/manuka-honey
  2. ↑ https://www.umf.org.nz/unique-manuka-factor/
  3. ↑ https://www.finedininglovers.com/blog/food-drinks/how-to-eat-manuka-honey/
  4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_MUon6mApU&feature=youtu.be&t=120
  5. ↑ https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318298.php
  6. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4837971/
  7. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4837971/
  8. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-honey/art-20363819
  9. ↑ https://www.finedininglovers.com/blog/food-drinks/how-to-eat-manuka-honey/
  1. ↑ https://www.finedininglovers.com/blog/food-drinks/how-to-eat-manuka-honey/
  2. ↑ https://www.finedininglovers.com/blog/food-drinks/how-to-eat-manuka-honey/
  3. ↑ https://www.myrecipes.com/ingredients/how-to-cook-with-manuka-honey
  4. ↑ https://www.myrecipes.com/ingredients/how-to-cook-with-manuka-honey
  5. ↑ https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318298.php

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wikiHow Staff
Co-authored by:
wikiHow Staff
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This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This article has been viewed 45,777 times.
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Co-authors: 8
Updated: January 13, 2023
Views: 45,777
Categories: Honey
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