Marvelous Manuka - Part 2

Now that you know piles of things about manuka honey on the sciency-nerdy side (link to part one below) and know what manuka honey has to offer in the way of wound healing, let's take a look at what manuka honey can do on – and in – your face!

THE SKIN CARE AND BEAUTY PART

On the Face

If you replace 'ordinary raw honey' with active manuka honey, and leave it on for 5 minutes instead of 2, you have the ultimate, pamper-me-silly, total-luxury version of the discount solution honey mask. I've been doing a 5-minute-manuka-mask on a weekly basis for a few months now.

"Only once a week? Why not on a daily basis, Lise?" (I hear you asking)

"Cuz this stuff costs an arm and a leg." (you hear me answer)

How The Mask Works

Even though it's 'only' been once a week, my impression is that manuka not only cleanses and moisturizes beautifully, but also seems to bring a hint of toning and firming action.

Could this be wishful thinking? Quite possibly. I'm sure there is a psychological connection between paying an arm and a leg for something and expecting the stuff to work miracles. But then, there is also the possibility that it really is doing a bit of magic. I will be buying another jar when this one is empty. My reasoning: If manuka can help heal wounds like a son of a gun, it must be doing something extraordinary to help speed up regeneration.

THE HOME REMEDY PART

In the Face

The taste of manuka honey is rich, complex and nougat-like. As an addition to a spicy, herbal tea, it's a delicious, healthy treat, while offering extra bacteria-busting power - maybe even enough to stave off sickness.

Flu Fighter?

Not too long ago, I was coming down with something that unmistakably felt like the flu. I normally take 2 teaspoons of honey and go to bed early. This time, I used Manuka instead.
Next day, I was right as rain and the 'flu-feeling' didn't return.

Coincidence? Possibly.

Except: I was pretty certain this flu had 'taken hold' the evening before, and my normal routine of honey and going to bed early will usually help some, but not this much.

This is reason number 2 that I will be keeping a jar of manuka in stock from now on – despite the cost.

ADDITIONAL SCIENCE STUFF

Any Warnings with Manuka Honey?

Of course there are warnings. Have you ever heard of anything at all – ever – that doesn't come with warnings?

Here are all the warnings I have been able to find on it.
As great as it is for treating wounds and promoting healing, manuka honey may not be good for treating diabetic ulcers. A scientist named Juraj Majtan from the Slovac Academy of Sciences has done a heck of a lot of research on the properties of honey and published several papers on it.

He concluded:
"We believe that honey is an effective alternative dressing for treatment of many types of chronic wounds. However, MG (methylglyoxal) may have a detrimental effect on diabetic ulcers. Further research is needed to fully elucidate the effect of honey-derived MG in the treatment of diabetic ulcers." (see the article here)

Additional Fun For Science Nerds

This article outlines honeys effectiveness in wound healing after eye surgery
(I told you scientists had been studying it all over the world)

Have you ever tried a manuka face mask? Or tried taking it to stave off a cold or the flu?

*find part one about manuka honey here