Manuka Honey

[PteW43]

Good Morning All - I was wondering if anyone can suggest a good rating Manuka honey I can buy that doesn't break the bank? I have had, in the past, Steens 20+ but I've just seen how much the price has shot up. If anyone is trying a less expensive one & willing to recommend would you please let me know.

I have had COPD since March 2005 and still quite active. I had a flare up in January 2020 but the one before that was Sept 2018. I go to the local sports centre once or twice a week for gentle circuit training & do a bit of walking. But, in the winter months I never go out without a scarf wrapped around my month and nose and I strongly feel that this has reduced my exacerbation's. Hope that bit of info helps someone.

Have a lovely day all and take care of you.

[Ladybug_19]

Hi PteW43, where in the world are you? I usually buy Manuka Honey from New Zealand, it’s about $10. I’m in Australia.

[PteW43 in reply to Ladybug_19]

Hi Ladybug - I live in the Uk waiting for the 'Virus' to hit us hard! I have bought Manuka honey online before and as I'm finding out, the dearest isn't always the best. Hope all is well in Australia, your country had enough with those terrible fires. Best wishes and keep well.

[astragal]

Hi PteW43

There has been quite a bit of research regarding the properties of honey. Buckwheat honey has been shown to have high antioxidants, even heather honey has recently been found to have favourable levels of antioxidants and antibacterials.

One that is becoming popular and research suggests is as effective if not more so than Manuka honey is Jarrah honey from Australia. I have been using it for a few years and it has a milder, less medicinal flavour than Manuka .

Although grading is important, as you no doubt know, many consider that the best honey is raw and minimally processed. Price varies, unfortunately once special properties are associated with a product it pushes up cost. For UMF 10+ they do average around £15 to £20, then upwards to over£100 for higher levels. Indeed Steens seems one of the less expensive brands, especially being raw too.

Jarrah is slightly cheaper, I have the 18+TA for £19. There was testing on Manuka honeys a few years ago, the results showed that it wasn’t always the most expensive or higher rating that had the highest activity. Sometimes it is cheaper to buy it online rather than in supermarkets or health stores. Enjoy the honey, whichever you choose. Take care and best wishes.🍯

[perdurabo in reply to astragal]

As a result of the high premium paid for mānuka honey, an increasing number of products now labelled as such worldwide are counterfeit or adulterated. According to research by UMFHA, the main trade association of New Zealand mānuka honey producers, whereas 1,700 tons of mānuka honey are made there annually representing almost all the world's production, some 10,000 tons of produce is being sold internationally as mānuka honey, including 1,800 tons in the UK.[12] In governmental agency tests in the UK between 2011 and 2013, a majority of mānuka-labelled honeys sampled lacked the non-peroxide anti-microbial activity of mānuka honey.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C4%...

[astragal in reply to perdurabo]

Hi perdurabo

Thank you for the information.

Yes it is such a shame that there are those unscrupulous enough to profit from what is after all a natural product. I remember years ago when Manuka honey appeared in my health store , there was only a couple of producers. Over the years I have purchased many jars, hard to tell how effective it was. But of course as popularity grows, along with the hype, then price goes up and ethics go down. I try to gather as much research as possible regarding the brand, reviews etc. Nowadays I am tempted to try different things , perhaps naively hoping for some panacea. At least with honey it can add a little sweetness to the day if nothing else.

Take care .🍯

[PteW43 in reply to perdurabo]

Hi - Thank you for the information. Best wishes.

[PteW43 in reply to astragal]

Good Morning astragal - Sorry I'm a bit late in replying to your informative and helpful answer I will def be checking out Jarrah, I have had not heard of it before. Thank you so much. My best wishes to you and keep well.

[Collie4]

I use manuka honey in all my drinks and i buy it from Tesco and a normal sized jar/ bottle costs around £6.

I have ordered some from holland and barrett but more expensive. Manuka honey can be really expensive, but i’m sure it helps.

[PteW43]

Hi Collie4 - Bit late in replying, so sorry, I haven't stopped spring cleaning lol. Thank you for your info and will check out at a later date when 'I'M FREE' lol. Take care.