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Original poster

Does anyone give their child Manuka Honey?

36 replies

sebsmummy1 · 17/03/2014 07:48

I am really impressed with what I have read about the health benefits of Manuka Honey and wondered if anyone else gave it to their children as a preventative therapy?

I have just started giving my son a teaspoon a day off a teaspoon. But it feels really wrong giving him something so sweet and I'm worried I could damage his teeth. I tried to put some in his milk but he refuses it, I assume as it tastes tainted. I know I could add it to his porridge and I'm sure he would readily take it, however I've been advised against adding it to hot things as it kills the enzymes - plus they recommend taking it an hour before food.

Any advise or do I just sound like a tree hugger?

Thanks

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GlaikitFizzog · 17/03/2014 08:00

Preventative of what? Genuine question because I use manuka when I lose my voice, but don't know much else about it.

I have avoided honey with DS (3) but only because it's not recommended for under 1s.

GlaikitFizzog · 17/03/2014 08:01

One spoon of something sweet a day with regular brushing is not going to ruin his teeth.

Original poster
sebsmummy1 · 17/03/2014 08:33

Fizzog I get very scared making any claims on here as I know that some people can get really angry about things.

My understanding is that Manuka honey contains Methylglyoxal which is a compound that has strong anti bacterial properties. There is evidence that it can help with wound healing and I use it on my partners skin when his skin condition acts up and it soothes it really well. There is also anecdotal evidence that it can help ward off some of the coughs and colds that some children are particularly prone to as they start nursery/school.

I had a consultation with a fertility acupuncturist and she mentioned that her children kept coming down with everything going until she started adding manuka honey to their milk (they were over one) and then they stopped getting ill so much. As I was already using it occasionally anyway I thought it might be a good idea to give it to my son (15 months old) as a preventative thing, but i try to keep his diet pretty sugar free and it does feel weird giving him the equivalent of a spoonful of sugar on a teaspoon!!

I've found an NHS link about it's possible use with the resistant MRSA strains that are causing problems in hospitals.

www.nhs.uk/news/2011/04April/Pages/manuka-honey-mrsa-superbug-bacteria.aspx

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Cocolepew · 17/03/2014 08:44

My mum takes it everyday, but in her tea. She takes it for an ongoing throat problem. She notices a difference if she stops. I'll have tel her about not putting it in hot stuff.
Manuka honey is being used in hospitals now, c section wounds, ulcerated legs etc.

As Glaikit says, one spoonful a day isn't going to harm his teeth.

Martorana · 17/03/2014 08:48

What do you think it is going to prevent?

All the evidence suggests that manuka honey may have some impact on wound healing, and on some resistant infections. There is, as far as I know, no suggestion that it has any effect taken internally.

Foxsticks · 17/03/2014 08:51

I saw a bit about manuka on food unwrapped. It does have amazing antibacterial properties and is being used in dressings both in animals and humans. They did say though that whilst it is amazing on open wounds it actually doesn't have too much of an impact when taken orally as colds and sore throats etc are viral not caused by bacteria. There conclusion was you may as well have normal honey than shell out on manuka for a cold.

IglooisnowinSheffield · 17/03/2014 08:52

I have no idea but just wanted to point out for just incase that honey should never been given to under 1s.

Original poster
sebsmummy1 · 17/03/2014 08:58

Martorana - as i sais i was hoping it might give him more resistance to coming down with coughs, colds etc as i am about to start putting him into a creche 5 days a week and he will obviously come into more contact with children that being home with me each day with trips out a few times a week.

I did read the information where they said about it offering little benefit internally. Do you think that seeing as most bacteria is taken through the nose and mouth that even if the anti bacterial properties are confined to those areas when the honey is ingested it would still help by stopping some of the bacteria from spreading any further?

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Martorana · 17/03/2014 09:09

"I did read the information where they said about it offering little benefit internally. Do you think that seeing as most bacteria is taken through the nose and mouth that even if the anti bacterial properties are confined to those areas when the honey is ingested it would still help by stopping some of the bacteria from spreading any further?"

Most coughs and colds are viral rather than bacterial anyway. And I'm not sure how it could stop bacteria- you swallow it, you digest it and excrete it- it's not going to stay on the mucous membranes that bacteria multiply on, is it? Or am I missing something?

LadyMetroland · 17/03/2014 09:19

Food Unwrapped on channel 4 looked at manuka honey recently.

Medical grade manuka honey is effective as a wound dressing but it HAS to be medical grade. Normal shop bought manuka could be counterproductive.

They then asked experts if it was useful to take for colds etc. The resounding answer was no. There is zero evidence.

Also they pointed out colds are viruses and so honey - which fights BACTERIA - cannot be any used against a virus!

mercibucket · 17/03/2014 09:22

most manuka honey is fake. not even honey Shock
source it carefully

mercibucket · 17/03/2014 09:26

beetime.eu/fake-manuka-honey-on-the-world-market/

example of this

it looks like i exaggerated. some of it is not even honey. most of it is just normal honey mislabelled

reminds me of the free range egg scandal. too easy to re label then charge a premium

Pinklemon · 17/03/2014 09:26

Manuka honey can prevent tooth decay and gum disease because it kill bacteria in mouth. No sure if it's true or not.

Original poster
sebsmummy1 · 17/03/2014 09:28

Thank guys, I'll throw it away.

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Martorana · 17/03/2014 09:43

Don't throw it away! Peanut butter and honey sandwiches are delicious!!!!
Hot lemon and honey is lovely when you have a cold. Honey glazed parsnips are food of the gods. Honey butter cream is lovely in a lemon cake. A little honey in bread dough enriches it and make s a lovely crust.... The list is endless.

Theonlyoneiknow · 17/03/2014 23:10

I use a Manuka honey ointment instead of antiseptic cream on the DC

geologygirl · 17/03/2014 23:19

Why throw away? As long as its UMF 10 minimum its good. My toddler has it whenever he's getting a cough or cold....does wonders!

Alad · 17/03/2014 23:22

The major benefit is the profits of the firms whose marketing has given it a mythical status. Used to be royal jelly etc and will be another fad soon. The fact that it cured your great aunts gout etc is not a scientific proof. But if you think it helps you and makes you feel better, why not indulge? Tastes good too!

steppemum · 17/03/2014 23:23

Manuka honey was investigated on tv tonight.

It comes only form New Zealand

There is more manuka honey bought in the UK alone each year than is manufactured in the whole of New Zealand. Therefore most manuka honey on sale is fake.

Alad · 17/03/2014 23:29

I don't think the term manuka is protected. So any honey that's been near a kiwi is labelled manuka. It's a great business preying on peoples honestly held beliefs!!

Dotty18 · 18/03/2014 01:19

I agree with all above

I keep bees and people by it locally to help prevent hayfever. I don't give to my little who in under 1. I think manuka honey is all pants and no trousers. Over rated and over priced.

Martorana · 18/03/2014 09:23

"Why throw away? As long as its UMF 10 minimum its good. My toddler has it whenever he's getting a cough or cold....does wonders!"

Yes- toddlers love sweet stuff don't they? And with honey, you can feel virtuous about it in a way you can't with chocolate! Win/win.

Edenviolet · 18/03/2014 09:26

My dcs (except dd2) have manuka honey, I haven't noticed a huge difference in them but I'm hoping its doing them some good.

Chimpola · 19/03/2014 06:56

I read somewhere that unlike'normal' honey, when you heat up manuka it retains its goodness