Manuka Honey Benefits: 16 Research-backed Uses

Manuka honey benefits span antibacterial activity, wound care, gut health, oral health, skin and more, and its most distinctive property comes from a naturally occurring compound called MGO (methylglyoxal). Research has looked at Manuka honey across all of these areas, but the strength of that evidence varies a lot depending on what you are asking it to do. It is strongest and most consistent for topical antibacterial activity and for appropriately prepared, medical grade wound care. For many of the other uses often claimed for it, from digestion to energy, the evidence is considerably thinner, or still emerging. One caution is worth stating upfront: research done on honey in general does not automatically apply to Manuka honey specifically. The table below marks that distinction for every benefit area, so you can see at a glance what is proven, what is promising, and what is still an open question.

At a glance: what the evidence actually shows

Key Takeaways

• Antibacterial activity, powered by natural MGO content, is one of the best documented Manuka honey benefits in the research ^[1].
• Independent research links appropriately prepared, medical grade Manuka honey to real, measurable wound care benefits, one of the strongest Manuka honey benefits by evidence ^[31][32].
• Manuka honey also contains natural antioxidant compounds and has been studied for immune, oral and skin support, some of its other emerging benefits ^[1][21][22].
• The higher the MGO number, the stronger Manuka honey's antibacterial strength. Biosota's certified range spans MGO 150 to MGO 2200+ ^[4].

What Is Manuka Honey Used For?

Manuka honey benefits are put to use in three main ways: eaten by the spoonful or added to food and drinks for general wellbeing, applied topically for skin and wound care, and used in oral care routines such as a rinse or slow chew. Its best documented use by far is topical, where its antibacterial properties have been studied the most closely ^[1]. Beyond that, people commonly use it as part of a daily wellness routine, hoping for support with immunity, digestion or general vitality. Those everyday uses are reasonable, but it is worth knowing that the science backing them is much less settled than the science behind its antibacterial and wound care benefits. Throughout this guide, every benefit area is marked with how strong its evidence actually is, so you can match how you use Manuka honey to what the research genuinely supports, rather than to marketing claims that outrun it.

What Is Manuka Honey?

Australia has over 80 native Leptospermum species, and Manuka honey comes from bees foraging on plants in this genus across the Australian bush and parts of New Zealand ^[2]. The most studied species associated with Manuka honey is Leptospermum scoparium, but Australian Manuka honey draws on a wider range of native Leptospermum plants unique to the Australian environment. Monofloral Manuka honey is dominated by nectar from Manuka flowers, while multifloral Manuka honey still contains Manuka nectar alongside nectar from other plants nearby ^[2]. What sets Manuka honey apart from other honey types is not just its taste, but a distinct chemical profile used to authenticate and grade it, including specific natural compounds and, in some markets, DNA testing from Manuka pollen ^[2]. Most of the Manuka honey benefits covered in this guide trace back to that chemical signature, and particularly to one compound within it. That compound is MGO, and it is the reason Manuka honey behaves so differently to a jar of ordinary honey. Understanding MGO makes it much easier to judge which Manuka honey benefits are realistic to expect, and which claims go further than the science does. MGO is the subject of the next section.

What Makes Manuka Honey Different?

The single biggest difference between Manuka honey and regular honey is a naturally occurring compound called MGO. MGO forms over time from another compound in Manuka nectar called DHA, through a natural conversion process during storage and maturation, and it does not convert in a simple one to one ratio ^[4]. MGO is the main reason Manuka honey has a reliable, measurable, non-peroxide antibacterial effect, while regular honey relies more heavily on hydrogen peroxide, an antibacterial mechanism that is much more sensitive to processing and storage conditions ^[3]. Manuka honey also contains other markers not found in ordinary honey, including natural plant compounds tied to its distinct chemistry, all part of the same chemical profile behind Manuka honey's best known benefits ^[3].

MGO is measured and reported as a number on Manuka honey labels, and the higher that number, the stronger the honey's antibacterial strength. Biosota's certified range spans MGO 150 to MGO 2200+. We cover MGO in far more depth, including exactly how it is measured, what the different MGO ratings mean, and what the research on MGO itself actually shows, in our dedicated guide: What Is MGO in Manuka Honey?

Manuka Honey's Antibacterial Activity

Antibacterial activity is the single most researched and best supported of all Manuka honey benefits, and reviews of the wider evidence base agree it is the area with the strongest, most consistent support ^[1]. Early lab studies suggest MGO is a major contributor to this effect. Honey with a higher MGO number tends to show stronger antibacterial activity in these studies ^[6]. Interestingly, Manuka honey kept its bacteria fighting activity even after researchers neutralised the MGO in lab conditions. This tells us the effect is not down to MGO alone. Other, not yet fully identified factors in the honey appear to play a role too ^[5]. Early lab research on how bacteria respond to Manuka honey suggests it disrupts multiple bacterial processes at once, from stress responses to how bacteria build their outer walls, rather than acting like a single target drug ^[7]. Isolated MGO on its own, studied separately from honey, has been shown in early lab research to bind to bacterial proteins and disrupt their structure. It also changes bacterial cell shape and division ^[8]. Put together, the evidence supports a genuinely multi pronged antibacterial mechanism, with MGO as the leading, but not the only, contributor.

Manuka Honey and Immune Support

Immune support is one of the most searched Manuka honey benefits, and the idea is intuitive. The human evidence for this specific claim is still thin, and most of what exists sits at the review and mechanistic level rather than large clinical trials ^[1]. A related, more condition specific area with somewhat more direct research is sinusitis. Small trials of Manuka honey used as a sinus rinse for chronic sinus conditions have produced mixed results. One trial did not clearly outperform a simple saltwater rinse overall ^[9], and a review of the available trials found no statistically significant improvement in symptoms ^[10]. A separate small trial in a fungal related sinus condition found some benefit from a Manuka honey rinse after surgery ^[11]. None of this amounts to established treatment for sinusitis or general allergies, but it is a genuinely active area of small scale research. For more on this specific area, see our guide on Manuka honey for sinusitis and allergies. For a broader look at immune focused nutrition, see Manuka honey as an immunity booster.

Manuka Honey for Sore Throat, Cough, Colds & Flu

Sore throat, cough, colds and flu are commonly claimed Manuka honey benefits, and this is one of the clearest examples of why the honey generally versus Manuka specifically distinction matters. It is worth grouping these together here rather than treating them as separately evidenced benefits, because they largely draw on the same underlying research. A well regarded systematic review found that honey probably reduces cough symptoms in children more than no treatment does, though it made little difference compared with a common over the counter cough ingredient ^[12]. One well known trial behind this body of evidence used buckwheat honey, not Manuka honey ^[13]. A separate 2020 systematic review and meta-analysis of 14 studies in adults found honey, again not Manuka honey specifically, improved combined cold and upper respiratory infection symptom scores compared with usual care, though the effect against a placebo control alone was weaker and less consistent ^[37]. Based on the research available, there is no controlled trial evidence showing that Manuka honey specifically is more effective than honey in general, for cough, sore throat, colds, flu, or upper respiratory infections ^[12][37]. That does not mean Manuka honey will not soothe these symptoms. Honey of any kind has a long history of use this way. It means the specific claim that Manuka honey outperforms other honey for these uses is not yet supported by the evidence.

Read more in our full guides to Manuka honey for coughs and strep throat, Manuka honey for colds and flu, and Manuka honey for upper respiratory infections.

Manuka Honey and Kids' Immunity

Manuka honey is sometimes marketed for children specifically, and there are two separate things worth knowing before using it that way. First, a safety rule that has nothing to do with Manuka grade: no honey of any kind should be given to a child under 12 months old, because of the risk of infant botulism ^[35]. This applies equally to Manuka honey and to every other honey. Second, for children over 12 months, there is no clinical trial evidence that Manuka honey specifically improves immune function or prevents infection; the existing pediatric research on Manuka honey is limited to laboratory and mechanistic work, not immune outcomes in children ^[36]. The honey-and-cough evidence covered above does apply to children, but that is evidence for honey generally, not a Manuka-specific immune claim. Learn more in our guide to Manuka honey and kids.

Manuka Honey and Gut/Digestive Health

Gut health is one of the most talked about potential benefits of Manuka honey, and also one of the areas where the evidence is most clearly still emerging rather than established. The one human trial that specifically tested this gave healthy adults Manuka honey daily for four weeks. It found the honey was safe but did not significantly change the major groups of gut bacteria measured ^[14]. In mice, Manuka honey produced only mild changes to gut bacterial activity ^[15]. Early lab studies suggest Manuka honey can encourage the growth of some beneficial gut bacteria while inhibiting some harmful ones in a test tube setting ^[16]. In a rat model of inflammatory bowel disease, Manuka honey reduced inflammation in the gut lining ^[17], a promising finding, but animal research, not proof in people. Overall, convincing clinical trial evidence that Manuka honey specifically improves IBS, IBD or general digestive symptoms in humans does not yet exist ^[18]. This is a genuinely promising area to watch, not a settled Manuka honey benefit yet. Explore more in our guide to Manuka honey for gut health.

Manuka Honey and Oral Health

Oral health is one of the more encouraging Manuka honey benefits on this list, backed by small scale, Manuka specific research. A small human study found that people with gum inflammation who chewed Manuka honey strips daily for three weeks saw less plaque buildup and less gum bleeding ^[19]. Another clinical study found a Manuka honey mouth rinse reduced plaque significantly more than a common sugar free chewing gum, with results reported as similar to a standard antiseptic mouthwash ^[20]. Both of these were small studies using Manuka honey specifically, a genuine and encouraging signal, even if the trials were not large. Mouth soreness during medical treatment is a different story. The stronger evidence here comes from honey in general, not Manuka honey specifically, and reviews of Manuka honey trials for this particular use have found negative results ^[21]. As with sore throat, "honey helps" and "Manuka honey specifically helps" are two different claims. Only the first is well supported for this use. Learn more in our guide to Manuka honey for oral health.

Manuka Honey and Antioxidant Activity

Antioxidant activity is another of the genuine Manuka honey benefits, measurable across standard lab tests. The research consistently points to natural plant compounds, rather than MGO, as the main driver of this effect ^[22]. In fact, one early lab study of commercial Manuka honey suggests MGO level has almost no bearing on total antioxidant activity. It is a separate property from antibacterial strength, not a bigger number meaning more of everything ^[22]. One early lab comparison of several honey types suggests Manuka honey had the highest level of these natural plant compounds, alongside strong antioxidant readings ^[23]. In animal research, Manuka honey's antioxidant effects tracked closely with how much of these plant compounds were present ^[24]. The practical takeaway: antioxidant activity and antibacterial strength are two different properties of Manuka honey. Both are genuine, but they are driven by different parts of its natural composition, and neither one is a stand in for the other.

Manuka Honey and Inflammation

A calming effect on inflammation is one of the more preliminary Manuka honey benefits under study, and the picture here is promising but still largely preclinical. In rat models of gut lining irritation, Manuka honey reduced several markers of inflammation and internal cell damage ^[25]. Some laboratory work on immune cells suggests Manuka honey, alongside related Australian and New Zealand honey varieties, may help calm an overactive inflammatory response, though this research has not always isolated Manuka honey specifically from these related honeys ^[26]. More recent lab work using human immune cells found that Manuka honey and one of its natural plant compounds reduced markers of inflammatory activity ^[27]. Together, this is a coherent and encouraging mechanistic story, but it is built almost entirely on cell and animal research rather than large human trials. "Manuka honey may help calm inflammation" is currently a fair, well hedged summary, not a settled clinical fact.

Manuka Honey for Skin

Skin support is another of the widely claimed Manuka honey benefits, and topically, its antibacterial properties are the main reason it turns up in skin care conversations. Early lab research shows Manuka honey has antibacterial activity against the specific bacteria linked to acne breakouts ^[28]. However, the strongest published controlled trial on honey and acne actually used kanuka honey, a related but distinct Australian and New Zealand native plant, not Manuka honey, and it found no clinical benefit over antibacterial soap alone ^[29]. For eczema and psoriasis, controlled clinical trial evidence for Manuka honey specifically was not found in the research reviewed for this guide, existing reviews describe honey as a possible supporting option rather than a proven treatment for either condition ^[30]. Manuka honey's role in skin care is best understood today as biologically plausible and backed by lab evidence for antibacterial activity. Clinical proof for specific skin conditions is still to catch up. Read more in our guides to Manuka honey for skin infections and antibacterial Manuka honey for skin.

Manuka Honey and Wound Care

Wound care is where the evidence for Manuka honey's benefits is strongest, and also where the medical grade versus food grade distinction matters most. Medical grade Manuka honey means honey that has been specially prepared, sterilised and standardised for wound treatment. A detailed review of clinical and after surgery uses found this medical grade honey has antibacterial, anti inflammatory and tissue supporting properties. The best clinical evidence is for diabetic foot ulcers, leg ulcers, pressure injuries and certain post surgical wounds ^[31].

A major systematic review of honey generally, not necessarily Manuka honey, found honey dressings sped up healing of partial thickness burns by around four to five days compared with standard dressings ^[32]. That same review found honey dressings did not clearly improve healing for leg ulcers when added to standard compression treatment. Evidence for several other chronic wound types was too limited to draw firm conclusions ^[32].

This is the most important safety distinction in this entire guide: the wound care evidence above concerns medical grade honey, prepared, sterilised, and standardised specifically for this purpose ^[33]. Ordinary food grade Manuka honey, the kind in a jar in your pantry, has not been tested or proven as a substitute for these regulated wound care products. It should never be applied to an open wound as a replacement for professional medical care ^[33]. If you are managing a wound, speak to a healthcare professional about appropriate treatment first. Wound care is one of the Manuka honey benefits worth taking seriously, not self-treating. Learn more in our guides to Manuka honey for wounds and ulcers and Manuka honey for burns. Manuka honey's antibacterial strength is also relevant to ongoing research into antibiotic resistant infections, covered in our guide on Manuka honey and antibiotic resistance.

Manuka Honey for Energy & Exercise

Energy and exercise support is the newest, most exploratory of the Manuka honey benefits covered here, driven partly by growing search interest in natural sports nutrition rather than a deep existing evidence base. A review of the research found that honey in general can work reasonably well as a natural carbohydrate source around exercise, with performance results broadly similar to commercial carbohydrate gels when the amount of carbohydrate is matched ^[34]. The same review found some early signals that honey might help with recovery markers over time, though the data here was limited ^[34]. Crucially, this research is almost entirely about honey in general. There is essentially no research showing that Manuka honey specifically outperforms ordinary honey for energy, exercise performance or recovery ^[34]. Treat this as a genuinely emerging area worth watching, not a confirmed benefit unique to Manuka honey.

How to Use Manuka Honey

To get the most from Manuka honey's benefits, it helps to match how you use it to the evidence above. Manuka honey can be used in a few simple, low risk ways as part of a daily routine: stirred into warm (not boiling) water or tea, drizzled over food, or eaten directly by the spoonful. For skin use, always choose a Manuka honey product specifically intended and labelled for topical or wound use, rather than food grade honey from the pantry, and follow the guidance of a healthcare professional for anything beyond minor, unbroken skin. The MGO number on the label tells you the honey's antibacterial strength. Higher numbers indicate greater strength and are generally reserved for more targeted uses, while a lower to mid range MGO number is well suited to everyday use. For a full explanation of what each MGO number means and how to choose the right strength for your needs, see our complete guide: MGO Ratings Explained.

How to Choose a Manuka Honey

To get real Manuka honey benefits rather than an underwhelming jar, look for a Manuka honey that states its MGO number clearly on the label. This is the most precise, verifiable measure of its antibacterial strength, more precise than older grading systems. Independent laboratory testing and certification, such as third party MGO testing and organic certification, is a meaningful signal of authenticity, since Manuka honey is a frequent target for mislabelling. Match the strength to your intended use: a lower to mid MGO number suits everyday, general wellness use, while a higher MGO number is generally chosen for more targeted, topical or specific applications, always alongside professional guidance where a health condition is involved. Avoid choosing based on price alone. Genuine, independently tested Manuka honey reflects real production and testing costs. Getting this right is what separates real Manuka honey benefits from an expensive jar of ordinary honey.

Manuka Honey vs Regular Honey

Of all the Manuka honey benefits compared with regular honey, antibacterial activity is the clearest, most consistently supported difference. Manuka honey's non peroxide antibacterial effect, driven mainly by MGO, is more reliable and measurable than regular honey's antibacterial activity. Regular honey depends more heavily on hydrogen peroxide, a mechanism that is far more sensitive to storage, heat and processing ^[3]. Nutritionally, the two are broadly similar, both are mostly natural sugars. The meaningful differences are in these specific natural compounds, not in basic nutrition ^[3]. Broader claims that Manuka honey is generally better for health than regular honey, beyond its antibacterial strength, are less well supported by current research. Several reviews describe the evidence for wider health advantages as limited ^[3]. The most defensible, evidence backed way to think about it: Manuka honey is a more potent and more reliably antibacterial honey, not an entirely different food.

Manuka Honey During Pregnancy and for Pets

Two audiences ask about Manuka honey often enough to be worth a direct answer. For pregnancy, there is no peer-reviewed clinical evidence that Manuka honey specifically improves fertility, conception, or pregnancy outcomes. Honey generally is considered a low-risk food in normal dietary amounts during pregnancy, but the existing human safety trial of high-grade Manuka honey referenced earlier in this guide was conducted in healthy adults generally, not in a pregnancy-specific population, so it should not be read as pregnancy-specific safety evidence ^[38]. Anyone pregnant should discuss any regular supplement, including Manuka honey, with their healthcare provider. Read more in our guide to Manuka honey and pregnancy.

For pets, veterinary research is genuinely emerging rather than established. A randomized study in dogs found a Manuka-honey hydrogel modestly improved early wound epithelialization but did not outperform standard veterinary care overall on wound contraction, healing scores, or infection rates ^[39]. A separate in-vitro study found medical-grade Manuka honey inhibited common canine and feline wound bacteria more consistently than non-medical-grade honey, though this was a lab assay, not a clinical healing trial ^[40]. Manuka honey should never be given to a pet, or used on an animal wound, without a veterinarian's guidance. Learn more in our guide to Manuka honey for pets and vets.

Watch: Top 10 Health Benefits of Manuka Honey

What Does the Scientific Research Actually Say?

Pulling this guide together, here is the honest picture on Manuka honey benefits. A few things are genuinely well established: Manuka honey has a distinctive, well documented antibacterial mechanism, driven substantially by MGO ^[1]. Appropriately prepared, medical grade Manuka honey has real, clinically supported wound care applications ^[31]. Beyond that, the picture is more mixed. Gut health, general immune support, skin conditions like acne and eczema, and energy or exercise performance are all genuinely active, promising areas of research. None of them are settled clinical benefits yet, and several claims commonly made for Manuka honey specifically are actually supported only by research on honey in general. Biosota also maintains dedicated guides on more specific areas, including Manuka honey and blood sugar related uses and supportive care during cancer treatment. The evidence in both areas is still developing, and any use should always be discussed with your healthcare provider first, rather than treated as a stand alone answer. For a rundown of common myths and half truths about Manuka honey, see our guide: Manuka Honey Facts or Fiction: 14 Truths and Myths Uncovered.

Ready to choose a strength that matches your needs? Explore Biosota's certified range of MGO graded Manuka honey, from MGO 150 to MGO 2200+, or read our complete Manuka honey strength guide to find the right one for you.

FAQs

What are the benefits of Manuka honey?

Among all Manuka honey benefits, antibacterial activity is the most consistently supported, driven mainly by its natural MGO content ^[1]. Manuka honey is also studied for wound care, gut health, oral health, skin and immune support, but evidence strength varies a great deal by use, strongest for topical antibacterial activity and appropriately prepared medical grade wound care, weaker or still emerging elsewhere.

What is Manuka honey used for?

Manuka honey is used topically for wound and skin care, taken by the spoonful for general wellness and immune support, added to warm drinks or food, and used in oral care routines. How you use it should match how strong the evidence actually is for that specific purpose, see the evidence table near the top of this guide.

Is Manuka honey good for you?

As part of a balanced diet, Manuka honey is generally considered safe for most adults and carries real, well documented antibacterial properties ^[1]. It is a food, not a medicine, and should never replace medical treatment or professional advice.

What is the difference between Manuka honey and regular honey?

Manuka honey contains significantly higher levels of MGO than regular honey, giving it a more reliable, measurable antibacterial profile ^[3]. Regular honey's antibacterial activity relies more on hydrogen peroxide, which varies with processing and storage.

Can Manuka honey help with energy and fatigue?

Honey in general can work as a natural carbohydrate source for energy, but the supporting research is mostly about honey generally, not Manuka honey specifically ^[34]. This is an emerging area worth watching rather than an established, Manuka specific benefit.

References

1. Ballard, N. et al., "Bioactivities of Manuka honey," peer-reviewed review, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11194624/ (2024)
2. "Botanical and chemical characterisation of Manuka honey," Journal of Food Composition, https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12161-018-1154-9 (2018)
3. "Comparative composition and bioactivity of Manuka honey vs regular honey," https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9206949/ (2022)
4. "Methylglyoxal and dihydroxyacetone chemistry in Manuka honey," MDPI Molecules, https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/28/6/2858 (2023) (mechanistic, isolated MGO, not honey itself)
5. "Manuka honey retains bacteria-killing activity after MGO neutralisation," PLOS ONE, https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0017709 (preliminary, in vitro)
6. "MGO content correlates with antibacterial potency in Manuka honey," https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6814216/ (preliminary, in vitro)
7. "Transcriptomic response of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to Manuka honey," mSystems, https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/msystems.00106-20 (preliminary, in vitro)
8. "Mechanistic effects of isolated MGO on bacterial cells," https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9333225/ (preliminary, in vitro, isolated MGO not honey)
9. "Manuka honey sinus irrigation for chronic rhinosinusitis, randomized trial," https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8989183/
10. "Systematic review and meta-analysis of topical Manuka honey in chronic rhinosinusitis," https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12689086/
11. "Postoperative Manuka honey sinus irrigation in allergic fungal rhinosinusitis," https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/coa.70161
12. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, "Honey for acute cough in children," https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD007094.pub4/full (honey generally, not Manuka-specific)
13. Paul et al., randomized trial of honey for children's cough, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18056558/ (buckwheat honey, not Manuka-specific)
14. "Safety of high-grade Manuka honey in a human clinical trial with healthy individuals," British Journal of Nutrition, https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/british-journal-of-nutrition/article/demonstrating-the-safety-of-manuka-honey-umf-20in-a-human-clinical-trial-with-healthy-individuals/6CBACDCF7A37D6DDC0D101BA8C0185D5
15. "Effects of Manuka honey on gut microbial activity in mice," https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5178337/ (preliminary, animal study)
16. "In vitro prebiotic and antimicrobial effects of Manuka honey on gut bacteria," https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9367972/ (preliminary, in vitro)
17. "Manuka honey reduces colonic inflammation in a rat model of IBD," https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5302252/ (preliminary, animal study)
18. "Review of Manuka honey and digestive health outcomes," https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12138293/
19. "Manuka honey chewable strips and gingivitis, small clinical study," https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5368358/
20. "Manuka honey mouthwash vs xylitol gum for plaque reduction," https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3220139/
21. "Review of Manuka honey studies for oral mucositis," https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9507278/
22. "Antioxidant activity and MGO content in commercial Manuka honey," https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11275220/ (preliminary, in vitro)
23. "Comparative natural plant compound content of three honey varieties including Manuka," https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4777001/ (preliminary, in vitro)
24. "Antioxidant effects of Manuka honey in a rat model," https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3812548/ (preliminary, animal study)
25. "Manuka honey and gastric ulcer inflammation markers in rats," https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2017/5413917 (preliminary, animal study)
26. "Immunomodulatory effects of New Zealand honeys including Manuka and kanuka," https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1753425911422263 (preliminary, in vitro, kanuka and mixed New Zealand honeys, not Manuka-specific)
27. "Manuka honey and methyl syringate reduce neutrophil inflammatory activity," Frontiers in Immunology, https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1760968/full (preliminary, in vitro)
28. "Antibacterial activity of Manuka honey against Cutibacterium acnes," https://mro.massey.ac.nz/server/api/core/bitstreams/cdffb4de-b90d-468d-a12f-555e70aba885/content (preliminary, in vitro)
29. Randomized controlled trial of kanuka honey for acne, BMJ Open, https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/6/2/e009448 (kanuka honey, not Manuka honey)
30. "Review of honey in dermatology, including eczema and psoriasis," https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24305429/
31. "Clinical and postoperative applications of medical grade Manuka honey," https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13163150/
32. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, "Honey as a topical treatment for wounds," https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD005083.pub3/full (honey generally, not Manuka-specific)
33. "Medical grade vs food grade honey in wound care," American Family Physician, https://www.aafp.org/afp/2014/0615/p978 (honey generally, not Manuka-specific)
34. "Systematic review of honey and exercise performance," https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6683082/ (honey generally, not Manuka-specific)
35. CDC, "Botulism Prevention," https://www.cdc.gov/botulism/prevention/index.html (government guidance, applies to honey generally, not Manuka-specific)
36. "Manuka honey and pediatric outcomes (review)," https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5424551/ (limited evidence, not an immune-outcome trial)
37. Abuelgasim et al., systematic review and meta-analysis of honey for upper respiratory tract infection symptoms, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32817011/ ; https://ebm.bmj.com/content/26/2/57 (honey generally, not Manuka-specific)
38. "Review of Manuka honey and digestive health outcomes" (used here for pregnancy-evidence context), https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12138293/ (no Manuka-specific fertility/pregnancy trials identified)
39. Randomized experimental study of a Manuka honey hydrogel in canine wounds, https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/vsu.13711 (animal study)
40. In-vitro comparison of medical-grade Manuka honey against canine/feline wound bacteria, https://avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/ajvr/85/12/ajvr.24.07.0188.xml (in vitro, not a clinical trial)