Studies cited in recent reporting suggest manuka honey may help with dry eye symptoms, nasal inflammation and oral bacteria, though experts say larger trials and medical guidance are still needed.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Manuka honey, a New Zealand honey long associated with wound care, is drawing new research interest for possible benefits involving dry eyes, sinus inflammation and oral health.
The honey is produced by bees that pollinate the manuka bush, Leptospermum scoparium, which grows in New Zealand and flowers for only a short period each year. According to reporting cited in the submitted material, scientists are studying whether the honey’s antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects may extend beyond traditional wound applications.
Those properties are tied largely to methylglyoxal, known as MGO, a compound found in high concentrations in manuka honey. Registered dietitian Tina Alexander, quoted in The Epoch Times, said the difference between manuka honey and ordinary raw honey is the way each works against microbes. Regular raw honey depends largely on hydrogen peroxide, which can break down when exposed to heat, light or body fluids. Manuka honey uses a more stable non-peroxide antimicrobial mechanism.
That stability, combined with limited production, is one reason manuka honey is more expensive than many other honeys. The submitted material states that jars can range from $20 to $200, depending on purity and antibacterial strength.
Manuka honey is graded by the Unique Manuka Factor Honey Association. Products are rated from UMF 5+ to UMF 25+, with higher ratings indicating higher levels of MGO and stronger antibacterial activity.
Honey has a long history of medicinal use. Jenny Linford wrote in “The Seven Culinary Wonders of the World” that a Sumerian tablet from about 2100 BC described honey as a wound salve, while the Ebers Papyrus from 1550 BC referred to a honey-based dressing [1]. Recent reporting has described manuka honey as a “scientifically backed superfood with antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties” [2].
One area of current interest is dry eye relief. A study published in Frontiers in Ophthalmology found that manuka honey-based eye drops performed better than artificial tears in relieving dry eye symptoms after cataract surgery, according to The Epoch Times.
The prospective controlled study involved 53 eyes from 53 patients. Twenty-five patients received manuka honey eye drops, while 28 received drops containing sodium hyaluronate. One month after surgery, the manuka honey group reported less dryness, irritation and redness.
The study authors described the findings as “hypothesis-generating,” meaning additional larger and longer studies are needed before broader conclusions can be drawn.
Dr. Natasha Herz, a board-certified ophthalmologist and spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology, raised concerns about limitations in the study, including the lack of a control group and uncertainty over whether participants used other eye drops. She also noted that manuka honey-based eye drops are not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for ophthalmic use because honey is not a permitted active ingredient in over-the-counter eye medications.
A separate article cited in the submitted material said unprocessed raw honey may lower fasting blood glucose and cholesterol when used instead of sugar and noted that honey has been studied for dry eye disease [3]. That article did not specifically address manuka honey eye drops.
Researchers are also examining whether manuka honey may help nasal and sinus conditions. Laboratory studies cited by The Epoch Times found that manuka honey can inhibit antibiotic-resistant bacteria and flu viruses. A 2014 study found that when manuka honey was combined with the antiviral drugs oseltamivir, sold as Tamiflu, and zanamivir, sold as Relenza, the amount of drug needed to produce the same effect dropped to nearly 1/1000th of the normal dose.
Another study evaluated 19 people with primary atrophic rhinitis. Participants used a 10% manuka honey nasal spray on one side of the nose and saline on the other side for eight weeks. The side treated with manuka honey showed greater improvement, including reduced inflammation of the nasal lining and an increase in beneficial bacteria in the nasal microbiome.
Commercial manuka honey nasal sprays are available and generally combine purified medical-grade honey with saline.
An article cited in the submitted material said manuka honey’s antibacterial action is linked to high levels of polyphenols and MGO, which can disrupt bacterial cell walls and inhibit growth [4]. The article also stated that manuka honey does not promote bacterial resistance in the same way conventional antibiotics can because it works through multiple mechanisms at once.
Manuka honey has also been studied for oral health. According to The Epoch Times, multiple studies have found that it can inhibit harmful oral bacteria, reduce plaque buildup and ease gingivitis.
A 2025 randomized controlled trial involving 42 older adults with dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, found that oral rinses containing manuka honey increased salivary flow more effectively than rinses made with regular honey or saline.
Another small pilot study found that volunteers who chewed a manuka honey “leather” for 10 minutes three times per day after meals had significant reductions in plaque and bleeding gums compared with participants who used sugarless gum over 21 days.
The submitted material also states that manuka honey has been shown to reduce plaque more effectively than xylitol chewing gum and to perform comparably to chlorhexidine mouthwash.
Honey’s use for health purposes is not new. Cal Orey wrote in “The Healing Powers of Honey” about honey combined with natural ingredients for circulation and skin soothing, while also noting historical uses for various ailments [5]. A NaturalNews.com article cited in the submitted material described honey as a “healing wonder of nature” and said manuka honey healed pressure wounds in sick children better than standard care [6].
Experts cited in the submitted material caution that manuka honey should be used carefully. Alexander said a standard serving is one to two teaspoons.
“Consuming significantly more than this will cause a meaningful spike in blood glucose and insulin, contributing excess calories without additional therapeutic benefit,” she said.
Manuka honey should not be given to infants younger than 12 months because of the risk of botulism. People with diabetes should use caution because of its sugar content. Higher intake may also cause gastrointestinal effects, including bloating or a mild laxative effect.
Alexander said honey should be viewed as an added sugar and used as a targeted functional tool, not as a daily wellness supplement.
The submitted research and expert commentary suggest manuka honey may have specific uses for dry eye symptoms, sinus and nasal inflammation and oral health. However, experts cited in the material said more research is needed, especially larger clinical trials, before the findings can be considered definitive.
Consumers considering manuka honey for chronic symptoms are advised in the submitted material to consult a physician and verify authenticity through UMF grading before use.
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