Manuka Honey
Manuka honey: how it differs from ordinary honey, what meta-analysis found for dry eye, what the wound evidence covers (dressings, not jar honey), and the infant botulism warning.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Safety first. Supplements can cause side effects and interact with medicines. Read mushroom safety and interactions before you use any mushroom product.
Never give honey, including manuka honey, to a baby under 12 months. See Honey. [1]
Overview and identity
Manuka honey comes from the nectar of the mānuka tree, Leptospermum scoparium, which GBIF accepts as a species name. [2] Medical products based on it are regulated as wound dressings, not as foods; the FDA has cleared a Leptospermum honey wound gel through the 510(k) process. [3] We did not find a source we could read on potency grades such as "UMF" or "MGO", so we do not explain or rank them.What the research shows
| Use | What the research shows | Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Dry eye | A 2023 meta-analysis of 5 randomized trials (288 adults) found manuka honey improved symptom scores and some eye measures versus controls, with temporary stinging and redness; the authors say limitations affect reliability and that higher-quality trials are needed. [4] | Preliminary; eye products only |
| Wounds | The Cochrane review of honey dressings for wounds found the best evidence for partial-thickness burns; it did not compare manuka to other honey. [5] | See Honey |
The dry eye trials were of eye preparations. Do not put honey from a jar in your eyes. Ask an eye doctor.
Medical vs kitchen honey
Medical honey dressings and kitchen honey are different products. Do not put honey on a serious, infected or worrying wound. [3][5]Safety
Bee-product allergy is possible. [6] We found no readable source on interactions.Frequently asked questions
Is manuka honey better than regular honey?
We found no source comparing them for consumers. The wound evidence is for medical dressings. [5]
References
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Infant botulism. National Library of Medicine.
- GBIF Secretariat. GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Names checked 2026-10-22 through the GBIF species match service.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 510(k) summary and clearance letter K150985, Medihoney Wound Gel. 2015.
- Hu J, et al. Efficacy and safety of manuka honey for dry eye. Clin Exp Optom. 2023;106(5):455-465. PubMed 35950413.
- Jull AB, Cullum N, Dumville JC, Westby MJ, Deshpande S, Walker N. Honey as a topical treatment for wounds. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;(3):CD005083. PubMed 25742878. Several authors were investigators in an included trial that received a small contribution from a honey dressing manufacturer (disclosed in the review).
- Menniti-Ippolito F, et al. Surveillance of suspected adverse reactions to natural health products: the case of propolis. Drug Saf. 2008;31(5):419-23. PubMed 18422383. Italian national surveillance, 18 reports.
Education, not medical advice. This page is for general information. It does not diagnose or treat any condition and is not a substitute for care from a qualified health professional. Natural does not automatically mean safe. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before changing your care, especially if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a health condition.