Manuka honey - does it actually work?

[SoTiredoftheWheelsontheBus]

I keep hearing about how fantastic manuka honey is, but what I want to know is, is it any good? I don't mean tasty, but is it good at warding off colds, etc. I was in a shop the other day and the assistant was trying the hard sell on someone, basically claiming that manuka honey is so fantastic, if you take a teaspoonful a day, you won't ever get another cold, etc. (it was a small shop, I don't usually evesdrop). Obviously, the shop assistant may just have been trying to make a sell, but is there anyone out there who has tried it over a long period and benefitted? It seems quite expensive as well, and what do all the numbers mean?
I'd be interested to hear what other people think.

I use it as cough mixture when anyone has a cough and it's very good for that.

A colleague at work suggested it when I last had a nasty cold, and to be honest I found it really helped.

My DH, the worlds biggest sceptic who considers a fresh honey and lemon drink to be an 'old fashioned remedy' and who reaches for the cold and flu drugs at the first sign of a sniffle - was given some by me when he caught my cold. Even he was impressed - saying he didn't feel as bad and felt better much quicker than he normally would. Such a convert is he - panicked when the jar had nearly run out and threw a tenner at me to buy another one!

I give manuka honey and lemon to ds2 to try and prevent flu. I don't know if it will help with that, but it did get rid of his chronic chesty cough after two days.

I also give him Echinacea (that works) and a high quality multivitamin.

I think it's more known for treating gastro ishoos.

They told me to take it when I had h.pylori

My Mum made me take a spoonful a few times a day over Christmas (I had a horrible virus). I did feel a bit better for an hour or so after taking and I got a bit of respite from the sore throat element of the virus.

It was the subsequent anti-bios that kicked the virus though.

antibiotics don't work against viruses , only bacteria.

Yes, bacterial virus. Or bacterial infection caused by virus.

I read somewhere that it has to be 'active' manuka honey for it to be beneficial. Especially if you want to heal wounds, skin conditions etc. So am a bit confused.