manuka honey

[nicki18]

I was just wondering if anyone has tried manuka honey, as read a few things that it really helps with RA and helps your immune system but its expensive so would like some thoughts from others before i give it a try thanks

[Hidden]

Hi Nicki,

Not that Im biased but most off these products are just snake oils out to rip you off!

But each to there own x and some people beleive these things work and I dont think its that they work its just all in the mind sometimes x

[Gina_K]

Hi Nickly,

I dont take much supplements, but I do believe in the properties of manuka honey (the higher the potency the better). I take manuka honey if I feel I am getting a cold or virus, and I swear a couple of times, it has really helped. It is supposed to be a natural 'anti biotic'

I usually put a spoonful on my porridge in morning. yep I believe that MH is good in lots of different ways, and if ever there was a sceptic I am it

Makes a lovely lemsip with lemons and crushed parcetamol too!

Gina.

[Treesha]

I personally had a bad reaction but my friend gives it her little boy every time he starts a cold and she believes in it. Xxx

[Hidden]

I think Manuka is different to other supplements. It was used in the war on wound dressings and my hubby says it's used now by nurses when treating infected sores etc so I think it has established anti-biotic properties - a colleague of his had it used on her infected knee in the hospital.

I'm sceptical by nature too but then the origins of all medicines lie in herbs and minerals so there are things that stand out amongst all the garbage. For exampleI also use Arnika ointment if someone in the family bashes themselves and took the pills after two of my labours because I had such bad bruising the first time that I ended up being catheterised afterwards!

I have wondered many times how the + factor is worked out with Manuka - do they grade the bees or the hives and is this about quantity/ size of hive or about the quality of the surrounding pollen do you think? Or maybe it's something entirely different still - but whatever I do try to have a spoonful of Manuka +15 daily - either on porridge or in lemon water or just on it's own if I have a sugar craving! And really I don't get ill much at all. My boys won't eat it though - but I do sometimes plant it in things without their knowledge but it would be very very expensive if we all ate it daily I think! TTx

[Hidden]

Hi, we always have it at hand and use it as Gina and Tilda do, also use it for wounds and especially magic for blisters! anti-bacterial properties also.

Throughout my pregnancy for indigestion, better then gaviscon!

Hubby was hit with a cold this week (full blow man flu) and a few teaspoons later he fine, he's convinced it was the honey..

For immune system? I'm unsure, there is a deal at the moment from a well know high street health store, buy 1 jar of manuka and get the other for a penny, I really can't remember what it's called!!

When I have a cold I make weak black tea, tablespoon makuka, squeeze of lemon and ginger (fresh or powder form)

Sorry to go on but I bought some ginger capsules from health shop and use them for inflammation (although not at the moment as infammation levels down) Again, not sure but it works for me (I had horrid naproxen ect side effects)

[nicki18]

Hi all

Many thanks for your replys, i don't take any supplments but know so many people with RA do and say it helps but maybe it is all in their minds but if it works guess it doesn't hurt, yes MH is expensive but as i have enbral injections which lowers your immune system thought it be helpful to take. I am seeing my nurse in a couple of weeks so run it past her and if she see's no problems with it think i will give it a go

many thanks again

nicki

[Hidden]

It is expensive I guess but then so is alcohol and so are fags and all sorts of crap food that people shovel down themselves so in the scheme of things it's not that expensive is it really? And think of all the money you will save on medicines and flu remedies etc if you just go out and get started now and it works - why bother waiting to ask your rheumy nurse - it certainly can't harm you whatever drugs you are on?

[nicki18 in reply to Hidden]

Hi

Your right and as i don't smoke or rarely drink i think i will get some this weekend

thanks

[Shelley1701]

Like most other people that have commented I just use it when I have a cold in a mug of hot Ribena. Better than cold medicines. It is expensive though. I managed to get some from Aldi for £3.99. That the cheapest I've seen it for factor 6+.

[Hidden]

It wont do you any harm.. if you want to take it go ahead factor 10 or above is the best.. good luck, I use it as a cold soother and yes it is used in hospital dressings xx