The Healing Power of Manuka Honey for Burns & Wounds

I’ll never forget the time we were on a family trip on a boat moored at Great Barrier Island, off the coast of New Zealand. This place is remote. I had my two young boys with me and aging parents.  We had a small gully with a gas stove top and a pot that was constantly on the boil for frequent tea and coffee top ups.  We were always very careful, but in a moment of distraction a newly brewed cup of tea was accidently spilt over the hand of my then 6 year old son.

Anyone that’s ever had a burn in their life will know the intensity of that pain!  Without access to nearby medical attention I was so very grateful when a fellow boaty produced a pot of Manuka Honey and suggested we use it to dress my sons hand.  It didn’t take away the pain completely but it helped to dull it a little, and we were very lucky there was no subsequent infection or permanent scarring – a blessing I put down to Manuka Honeys incredible healing powers.

It’s therefore comes as no surprise to me that the FDA has approved specific medical grade Manuka Honey products for treating burns, ulcers, and other wounds in clinical settings in the US.

It’s also no surprise that hospitals in the UK and around the world use medical grade Manuka Honey primarily for burn treatments, surgical wounds, post-surgical healing, ulcers and pressure sores - it's generally incorporated into dressings, gels, balms and ointments to aid healing and prevent infection. 

So why exactly is Manuka Honey used in hospitals?

It comes down to 4 main factors:

1. Prevents Infection due to Antibacterial Effects

Manuka honey contains methylglyoxal (MGO), a powerful antibacterial compound that helps fight infection and prevent bacterial growth, including antibiotic-resistant strains like MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) that often circulate in clinical environments hindering recovery.

2. Creates a Protective Barrier

Manuka Honey forms a moist protective barrier over wounds, keeping them hydrated and preventing external contaminants from causing infection.

3. Promotes Faster Healing

Manuka honey stimulates tissue regeneration and helps reduce inflammation, which speeds up wound healing and minimizes scarring.

4. Reduces Pain & Inflammation

Its anti-inflammatory properties help reduce swelling, pain, and redness, making it an effective for burn treatment in particular.

Hospitals use it but can I also use Manuka Honey at home to treat burns and other wounds?

As long as you can get your hands on some medical grade Manuka Honey then it can be safely applied to mild, superficial burns, sunburn and wounds that don’t require medical attention.

Keep a pot in a nice cool cupboard in your pantry and you’ll always have it on hand whenever those inevitable accidents or issues happen.  You can make your own Manuka Honey dressing with a simple band aid or some gauze, or you can apply a small amount of honey direct to the site and leave it as is if it’s in a hard to reach place - think in between your little toes, behind your ears, or in your hair line.

When you apply Manuka Honey at home it’s tackling the burn or wound from a couple of different angles.  

• Frist it’s sealing off the area of the burn or wound to prevent attack from microbes.
• Secondly, it keeps the burn or wound hydrated whilst it destroys any bacteria.
• Thirdly its anti-inflammatory effect helps speed up healing and reduce swelling and pain.
  

Manuka Honey for Burns and Sunburn

Applying a thin layer to the affected area can help soothe pain, reduce redness, and promote healing by keeping the skin hydrated and protected from infection. Its ability to support skin regeneration may also help minimize scarring.

Manuka Honey for Minor Wounds

With its potent antimicrobial properties, Manuka Honey can help prevent infection and accelerate healing in minor cuts, scrapes, and abrasions. Its natural enzymes create a moist healing environment, reducing inflammation and promoting tissue repair. Simply apply a small amount to the wound and cover it with a clean bandage for best results.

Manuka Honey for Lips (Cold Sores & Dry Lips)

Manuka Honey can be a soothing remedy for dry, chapped lips in winter and may also help with cold sores due to its antiviral properties. Applying a dab of honey or a Manuka Honey lip scrubto cracked lips helps lock in moisture, while its healing compounds aid in repair. For cold sores, its antibacterial nature may help reduce severity and speed up recovery when applied early.

Here’s some of our top recommendations for at home use: Manuka Honey for Wounds & Burns

There are also plenty of exceptional Manuka Honey centric creams, balms and ointments on the market today that make application even easier, think less sticky/messy and perhaps more appealing in some situations.  

As mentioned in the above, if you’re really wanting to treat burns and wounds effectively with Manuka Honey then you need to use medical grade Manuka Honey.

So what is medical grade Manuka Honey? 

Anything above UMF 10+/MGO 260+ is considered to be medical-grade honey, however the higher the UMF/MGO the greater its potential benefits will be. For this reason, it’s best to use the higher grades topically for medical treatments and we have some great recommendations here: Manuka Honey for Wounds & Burns.

If you have any questions then don’t hesitate to reach out to our team who would be happy to help you figure out the best product for your needs.