Benefit of Manuka honey for ovarian cancer: Support during recovery

An ovarian cancer diagnosis brings physical, emotional, and practical challenges. Alongside medical treatment, many people seek natural ways to support their body through chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and recovery. It’s important to have clear, balanced conversations about supportive care options - including natural options like Manuka honey that may help support wellbeing alongside medical treatment.

Manuka honey is not a treatment for cancer, and it should never replace medical care. However, emerging research and clinical experience suggest it may play a supportive role in helping people manage treatment-related side effects and maintain overall wellbeing during a demanding time.

This article explores what we currently know about the benefits of Manuka honey for ovarian cancer support and how it may assist people living with ovarian cancer.

What is Manuka honey?

Manuka honey is a distinctive type of honey produced when bees pollinate the Manuka plant (Leptospermum species), native to Australia and New Zealand.

Unlike conventional honeys, Manuka honey contains unique naturally occurring compounds that have been studied for their biological activity. These include antioxidants and other plant-derived bioactive components that contribute to its traditional and contemporary use in supportive health contexts. For this reason, Manuka honey is often referred to as medicinal-grade when it meets specific quality and testing standards.

The medicinal properties associated with Manuka honey are linked to its naturally occurring composition. Research has explored its interaction with inflammation, tissue irritation, and microbial environments, particularly in situations where the body is under physical stress [2][3].

While Manuka honey does not treat disease, these properties help explain why it has been used in clinical and supportive care settings to help soothe irritated tissues, support comfort, and assist nourishment during recovery [4].

Supporting the body during ovarian cancer treatment

Ovarian cancer treatment often involves chemotherapy, surgery, and sometimes radiotherapy. These therapies can place significant strain on the body. Common side effects may include nausea, mouth and gut discomfort, inflammation, fatigue, and changes in appetite.

Supportive care focuses on comfort, nourishment, and resilience, helping people feel more like themselves during treatment.

How Manuka honey may help during treatment

Manuka honey contains naturally occurring compounds, including antioxidants and bioactive properties, which researchers have studied for their interaction with inflammation and tissue irritation [2][3]. While much of the science begins in laboratory settings, there is growing interest in how these properties may translate into supportive care for people undergoing cancer treatment.

Dr Peter Brooks, chemist and lecturer at the University of the Sunshine Coast, explains this supportive role clearly:

“The day after chemotherapy or radiotherapy, Manuka honey is beneficial in boosting the immune system, beneficial in decreasing nausea, and it also helps with those ulcerations within the mouth-intestinal gut track, that are caused by chemo inflammation.”

What the research suggests

Laboratory studies have examined how Manuka honey interacts with cancer cells in controlled environments. These studies suggest that certain compounds in Manuka honey can influence cellular processes related to inflammation and cell regulation [1][3]. Some research has observed reduced cancer cell activity in lab models, including pathways associated with programmed cell death [1].

It’s important to note that much of the existing research on Manuka honey has been conducted in laboratory and preclinical settings. While these studies help researchers understand how certain compounds may interact with biological processes, human clinical research in this area remains limited.

What this evidence does offer is a biological basis for why Manuka honey may help soothe irritated tissues and support recovery during periods of physical stress, such as cancer treatment [4].

Supporting comfort during chemotherapy and recovery

Chemotherapy plays a vital role in ovarian cancer treatment, but it often affects the body beyond the cancer itself. Side effects such as nausea, digestive discomfort, mouth ulcers, fatigue, and changes in taste or appetite can make daily life more difficult during treatment cycles.

This is where supportive nutrition and gentle, well-tolerated foods can make a meaningful difference.

Manuka honey for mouth, gut, and digestive support

One of the most challenging side effects of chemotherapy is inflammation of the mouth and digestive tract. Mouth ulcers and gut irritation can make eating uncomfortable, which may affect nutritional intake and overall wellbeing.

Clinical research examining honey use in oncology settings has found that honey may help reduce the severity and duration of chemotherapy-associated oral mucositis [4]. This aligns with its traditional use for soothing irritated tissues and supporting healing in sensitive areas.

For some people, small amounts of Manuka honey may feel easier to tolerate than other foods during these periods, particularly when appetite is reduced.

Manuka honey for nausea, energy, and nourishment

Treatment-related nausea and fatigue can be persistent and draining. While individual responses vary, Manuka honey is sometimes used as a gentle source of energy when solid foods are difficult to manage.

Taken by the teaspoon, mixed into warm (not hot) drinks, or added to simple foods, Manuka honey may provide:

As with all dietary choices during cancer treatment, it is essential to discuss use with your healthcare team, particularly if you are managing blood glucose levels or have specific dietary considerations.

What sets high-strength Manuka honey apart

Not all honey is the same. Authentic Manuka honey contains unique naturally occurring compounds that distinguish it from other honeys. Independent testing for markers such as methylglyoxal (MGO)helps verify quality and consistency.

Dr Peter Brooks’ work highlights the importance of understanding honey composition and authenticity, particularly when people are using Manuka honey during vulnerable periods of health.

Biosota’s Australian Manuka honey is independently lab-tested for MGO strength, purity, and authenticity, offering reassurance for those seeking a quality-focused product as part of their supportive care routine.

A supportive approach, not a substitute

While Manuka honey is not a treatment for ovarian cancer, it may be considered as part of a broader supportive approach - one that prioritises comfort, nourishment, and recovery - while medical treatments do the critical work of targeting the disease.

Always consult your oncology team before introducing complementary foods or supplements during treatment.

Where Manuka honey fits within supportive ovarian cancer care

During Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, conversations around care should be compassionate, evidence-informed, and empowering [5]. Manuka honey may offer gentle support for people living with ovarian cancer, particularly in helping ease treatment-related discomfort and supporting nourishment during recovery.

For those seeking thoughtful, natural support alongside medical care, Biosota’s high-strength Australian Manuka honey offers independently tested quality, purity, and strength you can feel confident in.

Disclaimer: Statements made have not been evaluated by the TGA (Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration) or FDA (U.S. Food & Drug Administration). Products sold are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Manuka honey is not intended to be a substitute for other medicines or advice and is best used in conjunction with any existing treatment plans. Please consult your healthcare professional before beginning any treatment. For all of the science-backed and evidence-based information on the natural healing properties of medicinal-grade Manuka honey, please refer to the latest published Manuka Honey research and use at your own discretion.

FAQs

1. How can Manuka honeysupport ovarian cancertreatment?

Used alongside conventional care and under medical guidance, Manuka honey may help support wellbeing during treatment. Some people use it to help ease treatment-related discomfort, support nourishment when appetite is affected, and soothe irritation of the mouth and digestive tract during chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

2. Is Manuka honey safe during chemotherapy?

In many cases, small amounts of Manuka honey may be suitable during chemotherapy, but this should always be discussed with your healthcare team. When used alongside medical care, it may help support comfort and nourishment during treatment, particularly where mouth or digestive irritation is present.

3. How do I choose a quality Manuka honey?

Look for independently tested Manuka honey with clearly stated MGO levels to help confirm authenticity and quality. Reliable Manuka honey should be tested by accredited laboratories and clearly labelled so you know exactly what you are choosing.

Biosota’s Australian Manuka honey is independently lab-tested for MGO strength, purity, and authenticity. With transparent testing and a focus on high-strength Manuka honey,Biosota provides reassurance for those seeking a quality-focused option as part of a supportive wellbeing routine.

References:

1. Fernandez-Cabezudo, M. J.; El-Kharrag, R.;Torab, F.; Al-Ramadi, B. K.
Intravenous Administration of Manuka Honey Inhibits Tumor Growth and Improves Host Survival When Used in Combination with Chemotherapy in a Melanoma Mouse Model.
PLOS ONE2013,8(2), e55993. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0055993

2. Alvarez-Suarez, J. M.; Díaz, D.; González-Paramás, A. M.; et al.
Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Capacity of Several Monofloral Cuban Honeys and Their Correlation with Polyphenol Content.
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine2013,2013, 1–11.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2013/829070

3. Martinotti S, Ranzato E, Understanding the Anticancer Properties of Honey, 2024,Cancers(MDPI), 25(21):11724.https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/25/21/11724

4. Anshasi H, et al., Honey for managing oral mucositis induced by cancer therapy: overview of systematic reviews, 2025.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40456333/52321/

5. Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month https://www.ovariancancer.net.au/