Learn how manuka honey supports the immune system through its antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Discover how to choose the best UMF™ grade and simple ways to boost immunity naturally.

Humans have used honey to keep us healthy long before we knew anything about the immune system. Thousands of years before, in fact. Now that we understand how the immune system works and what we can do to keep it that way, the natural compounds in Manuka Honey are even more exciting.

Manuka Honey has been shown to impact the immune system directly through immunomodulation, and indirectly, by fighting bacteria, boosting tissue growth, and generally helping us live healthier lives¹.

In this article, we explore how, and which Manuka Honey is the best for the immune system.

How to choose the Best Manuka Honey to Boost Immunity

The antibacterial properties of Manuka Honey perfectly compliment the job of the immune system - to keep us safe and healthy. But when it comes to using honey for medical purposes like this, it’s important to get the right stuff. Not all honey is created equal.

Great quality and taste. Used Manuka Honey for years now for health benefits and can definitely say this is a high quality product. If you care about living a healthy lifestyle you should definitely give this a try.

— Andrei D., Verified Buyer , UMF™ 15+ I MGO 514+

As one of the most faked foods in the world, a lot of the honey on store shelves is diluted or tampered with in some way. For example, it may have been heated and ultra-filtered to make it look more commercial, but this removes a lot of the important antibacterial compounds. 

Manuka Honey is uniquely potent in methylglyoxal (MGO), the compound most commonly associated with its powerful antibacterial properties and other health benefits. It can have up to 100 times more MGO than other honey types.

Not only this, but the unique combination of botanical and chemical compounds found specifically in manuka honey makes it even more powerful. 

So to protect the integrity of genuine Manuka Honey, the UMF™ grading system was created.

A jar of UMF™ grade Manuka Honey has been rigorously and independently tested to confirm that it is monofloral Manuka Honey (meaning that it’s not a mix of other nectar types) - raw and pure.

This type of honey has been protected from contamination and dilution, so that you can be sure you’re getting the very best that nature has to offer - 1 ingredient, 2000 active compounds.

Which UMF™ Manuka Honey to Choose for Immunity?

The UMF™ grades are based on the methylglyoxal (MGO) content of the honey. The higher the UMF™ grade, the higher the antibacterial content of the honey. So, if you want the best results, opt for the highest available UMF™ grade. For us, that’s the powerhouse UMF™ 28+ | MGO 1450+

Here are a couple of reviews from our happy customers along with the grade they purchased:

I bought Manuka honey for my 13-year-old daughter, and within a few months I noticed a clear improvement in her well-being. She gained healthy weight and seemed more energetic and balanced. Very happy with the results and quality. Highly recommended.

— Pooja B., Verified Customer, UMF™ 15+ I MGO 514+

From all external skin problems to everything internal this is one of the best honeys available in the world!

— Muhammad H, Verified Customer, UMF™ 24+ I MGO 1122+

Curious to understand more about why manuka honey works for the immune system? Let’s delve a little deeper.

Why Use Manuka Honey for Your Immune System?

“Honey is an effective natural medicine for a wide range of disorders. Among the well-studied honey types, Manuka Honey (MH) has been shown to have numerous therapeutic properties. This study supports a role for MH as an immunomodulatory agent and identifies its capacity to induce immunostimulatory responses both in vitro and in vivo. 

The current findings… highlight the potential use of Manuka Honey, or its bioactive components, to boost immune responses, preventatively and therapeutically, in different disease settings…” Immunomodulatory responses induced by manuka honey¹.

It wasn’t until the early 20th century that we had the technology to study immunology². The term 'immune' had been in our vernacular for hundreds of years, and we knew that some children who recovered from particular diseases often didn’t get them again². All we had to go on was observation and experimentation. Turning to nature was the safest and most accessible thing to do. 

We have evidence to suggest that the Ancient Egyptians, Chinese, and Romans used honey to boost immunity before they knew what the immune system was³. But today, we know much more about how and why honey works for the immune system. And some studies, like the one above, have found promising potential in using Manuka Honey to regulate and stimulate our body’s immune responses.

How does the immune system work? Our bodies have an incredible network of cells, tissue, organs, and compounds that help us fight off infection and disease⁴.

The immune system works in two parts: the innate immune system and the adaptive immune system⁵. Both systems are activated when receptor cells spot something in the body that isn’t supposed to be there - an antigen. 

The innate (or “non-specific”) system provides general defence against harmful germs and bacteria. The adaptive system learns to make antibodies based on what it comes into contact with⁵. 

These systems use blood and lymph (a fluid that carries nutrients and proteins to cells⁶) to move the right cells to where they’re needed in the body. This process helps to flush out invaders and trigger repair responses in tissue. 

Magic!

Does honey help immunity?

Manuka honey has the most potent antibacterial properties compared with other honeys, as well as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which is a great boost for the immune system. Here's why:

• Antioxidants help the immune system to fight microbes and parasites, and protect cells against oxidative stress⁷.
• Methylglyoxal, the antibacterial compound found in honey, has been found to attack microbes directly and even modulate (trigger) the immune system⁸. 
• Anti-inflammatory foods are particularly valuable for people with conditions like arthritis and joint pain. In these cases, the immune system might be attacking itself rather than invading cells, causing unnecessary and uncomfortable inflammation.
• Manuka honey has been found to offer these benefits in abundance. As a result, the UMF™ grading system was created to protect the integrity of genuine manuka honey.

Note: maintaining a healthy lifestyle is the best way to boost the immune system. Manuka honey can be a powerful part of that, but not a replacement. 

Make Your Own Manuka Honey Immunity Boosters

Here are some easy at-home recipes for Manuka Honey immunity boosters.

Green tea with Manuka Honey

Green tea is rich in flavonoids, just like manuka honey. This makes it great for boosting immune function⁹. Allow the tea to cool slightly before adding a teaspoon of Manuka Honey. Your can add a squeeze of fresh lemon or lime for a refreshing, citrus flavour or you could warm things up with a pinch of ginger or cinnamon for a comforting drink.

Manuka Honey Smoothie with Banana, Cinnamon and Yoghurt

Blitzing up your fruit and vegetables is a great way of packing in the vitamins and minerals that your immune system needs to work properly. It’s also a great way of using up foods that have started to go a little limp. This basic smoothie recipe provides a rich, creamy texture while showcasing the unique flavour of Manuka Honey.

You'll need:

• 1 banana
• 240ml milk (whole, almond, or coconut)
• 2 tbsp New Zealand Co. Manuka Honey
• 1 tbsp Greek yoghurt
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• A handful of ice cubes

Slice the banana and add it to your blender, then pour in the milk of your choice, add the Manuka Honey, Greek yoghurt, and ground cinnamon. Toss in a handful of ice cubes and blend until smooth and creamy. Serve immediately and enjoy.

Gut-loving Manuka Honey yoghurt

Did you know that around 70% of the immune system starts in the gut¹⁰? Interest in gut health has exploded in recent years thanks to a greater understanding of just how fundamental this part of the body is in regulating so many other important systems. 

Yoghurt with live and active cultures is believed to be fantastic for gut microbe diversity, and also an important source of vitamin D, which is linked to immune health¹¹. So, start your day with a bowl of Greek yoghurt, fruit, and Manuka Honey for a nutritious immunity boost that will keep you full until lunch. 

Boost Your Immunity with New Zealand Honey Co. Manuka Honey

Best of the best. A superb honey that gives you all you want.

— Yazan A., Verified Customer, UMF™ 24+ I MGO 1122+

The honey has a slight sweetness and a smooth texture, making it a pleasure to use. I take a teaspoon on an empty stomach daily, and it's become a part of my routine. I'm really impressed with both the quality of the product and the excellent service.

— Farah K, Verified Customer, UMF™ 20+I MGO 829+

¹ Immunomodulatory responses, National Library of Medicine. 

² Immunity, The Lancet. 

³ The history of honey as a medicine, Mining Journal. 

⁴ Definition of the immune system, Cancer.gov. 

⁵ How does the immune system work? National Library of Medicine. 

⁶ Lymph, Cleveland Clinic. 

⁷ Antioxidant vitamins and the immune system, IOP Science. 

⁸ Immunometabolism, Science Direct. 

⁹ Foods that boost the immune system, Spire Health. 

¹⁰ Immunity and the gut, Enterogermina. 

¹¹ Foods that boost the immune system, Healthlin