Manuka honey is promoted as having many health benefits. I’ve never tried it. I always use regular honey that is local.
For years, I have also used buckwheat honey. It is also made by a local company. It’s a very dark honey, almost black in color with a very deep taste. I discovered it years ago when the kids were little and always coming down with colds. We would use it to help with coughs. It has more antioxidants than regular honey.
Studies have been done to show that buckwheat honey is even better for you than manuka honey in some areas.
- Buckwheat honey was found to be more effective at killing bacteria such as E. coli and B. subtiles
- Honey is helpful in healing wounds and burns. Buckwheat honey has been shown to work better in healing than manuka honey
- Buckwheat honey helps reduce coughing while sleeping when taken a half hour before bedtime
Buckwheat honey is also less expensive and leaves a lower carbon footprint if you can find it locally. The nectar bees use to make buckwheat honey comes from buckwheat which is a gluten free grain. It grows in various areas of the United States, including New York. The buckwheat grain is made into a flour, which is a great gluten free alternative when baking. In fact, Dr. Jeffrey Bland promotes Himalayan Tartary Buckwheat which has more antioxidants than regular buckwheat. He sells a Himalayan Tartary Buckwheat flour that is sourced from a farm in upstate New York.
In contrast, the nectar bees use to make manuka honey comes from flowers on a manuka tree or bush found only in New Zealand.
If you’ve never used buckwheat honey, it’s a great natural remedy to keep on hand for illnesses. It’s also a great daily supplement. I put a spoonful in a cup of black tea. I read an article that mentioned it increased the antioxidants in the tea, but haven’t found a study confirming that. Either way, it adds a little sweetness to the tea.
Challenge:
Do some research and find out where you can get buckwheat honey locally near where you live. Etsy or a local farmers market are a few good places to start looking. The company I buy it from sells it online here.
Once you find a source, buy a bottle and give it a try. NOTE: Honey is only for people over 1 year of age due to the risk of botulism.
Resources:
https://baltichoneyshop.co.uk/blogs/news/buckwheat-honey-vs-manuka-honey
https://healthyy.net/superfoods/manuka-honey-vs-buckwheat-honey-which-should-you-choose
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29478537/
http://apiads.es/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Biochemical-properties-antibacterial-and-cellular-antioxidant-activities-of-buckwheat-honey-in-comparison-to-manuka-honey.pdf
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18056558/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26693829/
https://www.prweb.com/releases/honey/buckwheat-honey-raw/prweb10242276.htm
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