Raw manuka honey health benefits

Steens Raw Manuka Honey has become a global favourite among health enthusiasts, natural product lovers, and wellness seekers. Sourced from New Zealand’s pristine landscapes and kept raw to preserve its natural bioactive properties, this unique honey offers benefits far beyond what ordinary honey can provide.

Whether you’re curious about what makes Steens different, want to understand UMF™ & MGO ratings, or are looking for practical ways to use Manuka honey for health, skin, and digestion, this guide covers it all.

🍯 1. What Is Manuka Honey and Why Is It Special?

Manuka honey is produced by bees that pollinate the Manuka plant (Leptospermum scoparium), a native shrub found in New Zealand. What sets it apart from other honeys is its unique composition, rich in compounds like methylglyoxal (MGO) and leptosperin, which give it potent antibacterial and healing properties.

Unlike regular honey, which mainly contains hydrogen peroxide activity, Manuka honey has non-peroxide antibacterial activity, making it stable, powerful, and effective even when exposed to light or heat.

✨ Key Differences Between Regular Honey and Manuka Honey

🐝 2. How Steens Produces True Raw Manuka Honey

Most commercial Manuka honey producers heat their honey to ~66 °C (150 °F) during processing to make it easier to handle. This heating:

• Destroys yeast spores to prevent fermentation.

• Melts natural honey crystals, so they can re-seed a uniform texture.

• Makes honey easier to pour during packaging.

After that, the honey undergoes secondary creaming and filtration, removing pollen and nutrients — ultimately stripping away many of the beneficial properties that make raw honey valuable.

🍃 Steens’ Unique “Whole Comb” Method

Steens uses a patented “whole comb scrape and separate” method. Rather than heating and filtering, they gently separate the honey from the wax comb while keeping temperatures within natural beehive levels. This preserves:

• 🧬 Natural enzymes like glucose oxidase and diastase.

• 🌿 Bee bread and pollen, which contain micronutrients and bioactive compounds.

• 🍯 Rich texture and aroma, true to the hive.

Unlike heavily processed honey, Steens’ product is raw, unpasteurised, and never micro-filtered, resulting in up to 15× more bee bread content compared to typical brands. Every jar reflects the true character of New Zealand Manuka honey.

🌿 3. UMF™ and MGO Ratings Explained

If you’ve shopped for Manuka honey, you’ve likely seen UMF™ and MGO numbers on the jars. These aren’t just marketing terms — they’re globally recognised quality standards.

✅ UMF™ (Unique Manuka Factor)

This rating, managed by the UMF Honey Association, measures three signature compounds found only in genuine Manuka honey:

• MGO – The main antibacterial compound.

• Leptosperin – A marker that confirms authenticity.

• DHA (dihydroxyacetone) – A precursor that converts to MGO over time.

UMF™ provides an overall potency score. The higher the UMF™, the stronger the antibacterial activity.

✅ MGO (Methylglyoxal)

MGO measures the exact concentration of methylglyoxal in mg/kg. This number directly correlates with antibacterial strength.

👉 Steens Raw Manuka Honey is always UMF™ certified and MGO verified, so you know exactly what you’re buying.

🌏 4. Why Raw Matters — Heat vs. Natural Extraction

When honey is heated above 47–50 °C, its enzymes degrade. Many commercial honeys lose much of their nutritional and therapeutic value during this stage.

Steens keeps processing temperatures within natural beehive range, which means:

• Enzymes remain active.

• Natural flavours and aromas stay intact.

• Nutrients like bee bread and pollen are preserved.

• The honey retains a thick, textured, natural consistency.

This commitment to raw processing is why Steens stands out globally among Manuka producers.

💪 5. Health Benefits of Steens Raw Manuka Honey

🦠 a. Antibacterial & Wound Healing

Manuka honey’s high MGO levels give it strong antibacterial power — even against resistant strains like MRSA. Medical studies have shown it can:

• Promote faster wound healing.

• Keep wounds moist, aiding tissue regeneration.

• Act as a natural antimicrobial dressing.

• Reduce inflammation and scarring.

Steens’ raw method ensures these properties remain intact, making it an excellent natural remedy for minor cuts, burns, and abrasions.

🧠 b. Digestive Health & Gut Support

Raw Manuka honey acts as a natural prebiotic, feeding beneficial gut bacteria and supporting digestion. Research suggests it may:

• Soothe gastritis and help combat H. pylori (linked to ulcers).

• Support IBS symptoms and reduce gut inflammation.

• Encourage a balanced gut microbiome.

A teaspoon of Steens UMF™ 10+ or 15+ Manuka Honey daily can naturally support gut health over time.

🦷 c. Oral Health & Sore Throat Relief

Manuka honey’s antimicrobial action also benefits the mouth and throat:

• It inhibits plaque-causing bacteria, supporting gum health.

• Coats and soothes sore throats.

• Helps reduce the severity and duration of colds.

Swallowing a spoonful or stirring it into warm (not boiling) water with lemon is a traditional, effective remedy.

✨ d. Skin Health & Topical Use

Steens Raw Manuka Honey is also widely used in natural skincare. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, it can:

• Help treat acne naturally.

• Soothe eczema patches.

• Act as a hydrating face mask.

• Support post-procedure skin healing.

Apply a thin layer of UMF™ 15+ or higher directly to clean skin for best results.

🌸 e. Antioxidant & Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Raw Manuka honey is rich in polyphenols, flavonoids, and antioxidants that:

• Combat oxidative stress.

• Support immune function.

• Contribute to long-term wellbeing when taken regularly.

This makes Steens Raw Manuka Honey not just a food, but a functional natural health product.

🛍 6. How to Use Steens Raw Manuka Honey

Steens honey is versatile — you can enjoy it in multiple ways:

• Daily wellness: Take 1–2 teaspoons straight from the spoon.

• Warm drinks: Stir into warm (not hot) tea, lemon water, or herbal infusions.

• Topical: Apply to wounds, burns, or acne spots as needed.

• Skincare: Mix with oats or yoghurt for natural face masks.

• Cooking: Drizzle on finished dishes to retain enzymes.

⚠️ Important: Do not give honey to infants under 12 months due to the risk of infant botulism.

🌱 7. Choosing the Right UMF™ Grade

UMF 10+ is great for everyday wellness.
UMF 15+ is ideal for gut support and sore throats.
UMF 20+ & 24+ are premium grades for intensive therapeutic use, skincare, and wound support.

👉 Browse our Steens Raw Manuka Honey Collection to choose the UMF™ grade that fits your needs.

🌏 8. Sustainability & Traceability

Steens is a family-owned New Zealand company with over 40 years of beekeeping experience. They source honey from wild Manuka bushes in remote, pristine landscapes, ensuring:

• 🐝 Ethical beekeeping practices

• 🌿 Environmental sustainability

• 🔍 Full traceability — scan the code on the jar to trace it back to the hive location

This transparency sets them apart from generic, blended honeys on the market.

📚 9. Where to Buy Steens Raw Manuka Honey

You can find Steens Raw Manuka Honey in premium health stores, select supermarkets, and trusted online retailers. For guaranteed authenticity and freshness, always buy from UMF™ certified sellers.

👉 Explore the full Steens collection here and find UMF 10+, 15+, 20+, and 24+ grades.

❓ 10. FAQs About Steens Raw Manuka Honey

Q1: What makes Steens different from other Manuka brands?

A: Steens uses a unique raw, unpasteurised extraction method that preserves natural enzymes, bee bread, and pollen. Their honey is UMF™ certified and fully traceable.

Q2: What UMF™ rating should I choose?

A: For everyday wellness, go for UMF 10+. For more targeted health uses like digestion or skin support, UMF 15+ or higher is recommended.

Q3: Can I use Steens Manuka honey on my skin?

A: Yes. Its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties make it excellent for acne, eczema, and wound healing.

Q4: How should I store Steens Manuka honey?

A: Keep it at room temperature, away from direct sunlight. Don’t refrigerate — it may crystallise naturally, which is perfectly fine.

Q5: Is Steens honey suitable for vegans?

A: No, as it’s a bee product. However, it is 100% natural and ethically sourced.

📝 Final Thoughts

Steens Raw Manuka Honey is more than a sweet treat — it’s a natural, functional food packed with bioactive compounds that support health, healing, and wellbeing.

By keeping their honey raw, unpasteurised, and UMF™ certified, Steens preserves everything that makes Manuka honey special. Whether you use it for immunity, skincare, digestion, or general wellness, it’s a powerful addition to your daily routine.

👉 Shop Steens Raw Manuka Honey now and experience the authentic taste and benefits of New Zealand’s finest honey.