Manuka Honey is unique to New Zealand and to obtain pure Manuka Honey is a specialized task for beekeepers. It’s produced by bees who pollinate the flower Leptospermum scoparium, commonly known as the manuka bush, and its antibacterial properties are what set it apart from traditional honey, and why it might be a good item to store in your prepper pantry.
Manuka Honey is more difficult to extract and has a limited harvest period as it is only collected at certain times of the year. The therapeutic applications of Manuka Honey are well understood by consumers around the world, thereby creating a continually high level of demand.
Honey doesn’t really expire as long as it is stored properly and not exposed to too much heat. If you choose a room temperature, dark spot, then your honey will be good for several years making it a decent food and medicinal product to add to your supply. There is no need to refrigerate honey unless you live in a hot climate. Consume manuka honey at room temperature, as heating it could destroy some of its wonderful properties.
Here are a few good reasons to consider grabbing some manuka honey!
- WOUND HEALING – Multiple studies have shown that manuka honey can enhance wound healing, amplify the regeneration of tissue and even decrease pain in patients suffering from burns. Manuka honey helps create an acidic wound environment, which favors healing. Manuka honey has also been shown to be effective at treating wound infections caused by antibiotic-resistant strains, such as Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). It will also help create a more moist environment aiding in the healing process. Its most notable attribute is its effect on wound management and healing.
- SORE THROAT SOOTHING – Its antiviral and antibacterial properties can reduce inflammation and attack the bacteria that cause pain. Not only does manuka honey attack harmful bacteria, but it also coats the inner lining of the throat for a soothing effect.
- IMPROVE DIGESTIVE HEALTH – Digestive health is important all the time, but especially when you want the most out of your food, like after something catastrophic occurs. IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) is associated symptoms include constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and irregular bowel movements. Researchers have discovered that regularly consuming manuka honey may help decrease these symptoms by improving antioxidant status in rats.
For most people, manuka honey is safe to consume. However, it is important that some people consult a doctor before using it, including:
- People with diabetes. All types of honey are high in natural sugar. Therefore, consuming manuka honey may affect blood sugar levels.
- Those allergic to honey or bees. Those allergic to other types of honey or bees may have an allergic reaction after ingesting or applying manuka honey.
- Infants. The American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend giving honey to babies younger than one due to the risk of infant botulism, a type of foodborne illness.
All things considered, manuka honey is likely an effective treatment strategy that may accelerate the healing process when used in conjunction with more conventional therapies.
I keep some Manuka honey among my medical preps. I bought it at Costco but it was far more expensive than regular honey. I think it over $40. I’ve seen it carried in Medical supply catalogs.
Honey is one of the best things to have with multiple purposes. Manuka is expensive but important to include.
I have an injury to my throat which is becoming worse with time. I used to be able to sip some water and that would be sufficient if I had something stuck and couldn’t swallow. Recently there was an episode while I ate meat. Nothing helped. I put some honey in my mouth and immediately was able to swallow. It happened again, so I used honey the same way. It took a few seconds longer, but then my food cleared and I was alright.
I think it may have something to do with the fact that honey is sweet tasting and reignites the automatic swallowing process, is smooth and slippery and has anti-inflammatory properties. In any case, honey literally, saved me life. Hence, my name.
.
honeypot…glad you made it!
Thanks
.
I bought some Manuka honey but have not tried it on superficial cuts enough to make a call as to it’s effectiveness. But it sure tastes good.
Here’s the final post of our little hurricane shtf.
Part III
(for Part I go to the left column, “Recent Articles”, click on April 26, find the article “Natures’ Multivitamin” and scroll down.
Part II is on May 4, article “How to Prepare a Basement Fallout Shelter”)
There has been a curfew from 6:00 PM until 6:00 AM but almost no one knows about it because there is no news available. And for some reason, it isn’t enforced.
Our emergency radio still has no broadcast. It was several weeks before it came back.
Local news of any kind is just not available.
You will want to find locally grown sources of vitamin C. We had limes and pineapples available from fruit stands. Check around your area before SHTF.
The home supply and auto parts stores have no sparkplugs, batteries, or work gloves. Out of stock and will be for the indefinite future. A supply of batteries and also some rechargeables and a way to keep them charged is important. Even a low cost solar panel and inverter is worth it.
Got a little information on life in the big cities from two locals.
Delivery trucks have been stolen and used to ram into store fronts of pharmacies and other businesses. Bear in mind these are cement block and mortar buildings.
Without a doubt, crime of every kind happened, and those in the cities were on their own, as well as those just about anywhere. With no phones working, no police response is available.
Out in the country where we are, there were no problems. But in a permanent situation, without any rule of law, things will be different. Count on it.
Local government response has been pathetic, in every way possible.
Roads remained uncleared, no orange traffic cones or crash barriers were placed near cliff edges, traffic lights were out and downed power lines laid across roads for months.
Day 57 after the storm. National Guard troops brought 2 boxes of food as part of the relief effort. This is the first time they’ve come to our house although they have been at neighborhood centers and central meeting places like parks, passing out cases of bottled water and boxes of food. The food is of little nutritional value but it’s something. We donate it to a church group.
By this time it’s not really necessary as the grocery stores are fully stocked, for the most part, and debit, credit and EBT cards are working again.
One note on exhaustion. Whether you’re woodcutting, gardening or securing your perimeter, it’s an unstoppable occurrence that you’ll be dealing with constantly.
Rest often and pace yourself, as you will have so many things to do it can overwhelm you.
Be in as good a physical condition as you can.
Even after a days work, food prep can take much of your time. Things go slower now with appliances not working, lights out, and water not flowing.
A bottle of caffeine tablets is a good item to have. Sometimes half of one tablet works well.
At any given time you may feel like you could use 3 days rest. Eventually, hopefully, that time will come. Try to work at less strenuous projects when your energy level is low.
After 4 & ½ months without electricity, crews from Texas were in our area and power was restored.
Municipal water was off for 3 weeks.
Here are some things that helped us get through all this.
Our own water supply. Rain catchment and 2,100 gallons storage in 3 tanks.
24 volt Conergy booster pump and 62 gallon pressure tank. Powered by 2- 60 watt panels and 2- 12 volt RV batteries.
Small flashlight, the J5 Tactical. Lots of light from just one 2A battery. Has high, low, wide focus and strobe. About $15 and well worth it.
Honda 3000EU Watt generator. Eco throttle saves a lot of gas with on demand fuel usage per load demand.
Small solar array. Just 500 watts and a 24 volt 3000 watt pure sine wave inverter.
Since then we’ve doubled it to just under 1000 watts.
Even at the 500 watt level we were able to use the generator and solar power interchangeably to keep a large refrigerator running. But not overnight. Put a large tub of ice inside and power up in the morning. Works great.
Stihl 18” chainsaw. I’ve owned bigger ones but for what we need now, it’s sized right and a worthwhile investment.
Medical….well, that’s a big subject. You have everything you need, right?
I’ve stocked a couple of bottles of sulfur based veterinary ointment. Mineral oil and sulfur are the basic ingredients and should help if you run out of antibiotic ointments. Especially since they’ve been implicated in staph resistant infections. One brand I like is Happy Jack and a second choice is Durvet.
I would only use antibiotic ointments as a last resort. We’ve stocked oil of thyme, oregano and of course coconut as well as Manuka honey. For me, the jury is still out on the oregano and thyme oils for small laceration infections.
Gas stove/oven, converted to propane.
Clothes dryer is natural gas also converted to propane. Very easy to do.
Since then, we have been through last year’s hurricane season with no storms.
But it’s about to start up again soon.
We’re ready.
I bought some Manuka honey but have not tried it on superficial cuts enough to make a call as to it’s effectiveness. But it sure tastes good.
Here’s the final post of our little hurricane shtf.
Part III
(for Part I go to the left column, “Recent Articles”, click on April 26, find the article “Natures’ Multivitamin” and scroll down.
Part II is on May 4, article “How to Prepare a Basement Fallout Shelter”)
There has been a curfew from 6:00 PM until 6:00 AM but almost no one knows about it because there is no news available. And for some reason, it isn’t enforced.
Our emergency radio still has no broadcast. It was several weeks before it came back.
Local news of any kind is just not available.
You will want to find locally grown sources of vitamin C. We had limes and pineapples available from fruit stands. Check around your area before SHTF.
The home supply and auto parts stores have no sparkplugs, batteries, or work gloves. Out of stock and will be for the indefinite future. A supply of batteries and also some rechargeables and a way to keep them charged is important. Even a low cost solar panel and inverter is worth it.
Got a little information on life in the big cities from two locals.
Delivery trucks have been stolen and used to ram into store fronts of pharmacies and other businesses. Bear in mind these are cement block and mortar buildings.
Without a doubt, crime of every kind happened, and those in the cities were on their own, as well as those just about anywhere. With no phones working, no police response is available.
Out in the country where we are, there were no problems. But in a permanent situation, without any rule of law, things will be different. Count on it.
Local government response has been pathetic, in every way possible.
Roads remained uncleared, no orange traffic cones or crash barriers were placed near cliff edges, traffic lights were out and downed power lines laid across roads for months.
Day 57 after the storm. National Guard troops brought 2 boxes of food as part of the relief effort. This is the first time they’ve come to our house although they have been at neighborhood centers and central meeting places like parks, passing out cases of bottled water and boxes of food. The food is of little nutritional value but it’s something. We donate it to a church group.
By this time it’s not really necessary as the grocery stores are fully stocked, for the most part, and debit, credit and EBT cards are working again.
One note on exhaustion. Whether you’re woodcutting, gardening or securing your perimeter, it’s an unstoppable occurrence that you’ll be dealing with constantly.
Rest often and pace yourself, as you will have so many things to do it can overwhelm you.
Be in as good a physical condition as you can.
Even after a days work, food prep can take much of your time. Things go slower now with appliances not working, lights out, and water not flowing.
A bottle of caffeine tablets is a good item to have. Sometimes half of one tablet works well.
At any given time you may feel like you could use 3 days rest. Eventually, hopefully, that time will come. Try to work at less strenuous projects when your energy level is low.
After 4 & ½ months without electricity, crews from Texas were in our area and power was restored.
Municipal water was off for 3 weeks.
Here are some things that helped us get through all this.
Our own water supply. Rain catchment and 2,100 gallons storage in 3 tanks.
24 volt Conergy booster pump and 62 gallon pressure tank. Powered by 2- 60 watt panels and 2- 12 volt RV batteries.
Small flashlight, the J5 Tactical. Lots of light from just one 2A battery. Has high, low, wide focus and strobe. About $15 and well worth it.
Honda 3000EU Watt generator. Eco throttle saves a lot of gas with on demand fuel usage per load demand.
Small solar array. Just 500 watts and a 24 volt 3000 watt pure sine wave inverter.
Since then we’ve doubled it to just under 1000 watts.
Even at the 500 watt level we were able to use the generator and solar power interchangeably to keep a large refrigerator running. But not overnight. Put a large tub of ice inside and power up in the morning. Works great.
Stihl 18” chainsaw. I’ve owned bigger ones but for what we need now, it’s sized right and a worthwhile investment.
Medical….well, that’s a big subject. You have everything you need, right?
I’ve stocked a couple of bottles of sulfur based veterinary ointment. Mineral oil and sulfur are the basic ingredients and should help if you run out of antibiotic ointments. Especially since they’ve been implicated in staph resistant infections. One brand I like is Happy Jack and a second choice is Durvet.
I would only use antibiotic ointments as a last resort. We’ve stocked oil of thyme, oregano and of course coconut as well as Manuka honey. For me, the jury is still out on the oregano and thyme oils for small laceration infections.
Gas stove/oven, converted to propane.
Clothes dryer is natural gas also converted to propane. Very easy to do.
Since then, we have been through last year’s hurricane season with no storms.
But it’s about to start up again soon.
We’re ready.
Great post
Hope all is well!
Aloha
Thanks again Ketchup! Hang in there and use your experience.
https://standeyo.com/Holly_Articles/190415.Manuka.Honey.html
I am using this now. :medical-grade Manuka Honey.
Works for wounds, Had a skin sample taken, stitched and after stitches remove last week, almost healed. Check it out.
On Amazon.com
Ketch,
Thanks for the post
Aloha.
Ketchup; thanks for the lessons,you are up there with Selco. But for the grace of God go we. I took notes and am incorporating into my own preps. Thanks and hope everything comes back for everyone there.
I have successfully propagated this plant, hydroponically, and would like think that good things like these should be cheap and plentiful.
Although bees are somewhat dangerous, around rumbling machines, like tractors and chainsaws (filling my eyes, ears, and mouth) they apparently get used to specific people, with whom they are in regular contact. I believe that something with spacial reasoning can recognize particular faces.
Chainlink fence panels can keep people away, but are themselves a source of stress, if you must work around them.
Most bees are drones that just keep going, until they wear out. So small things, like pet rodents, birds, and bees, can die from simple stress, while everyone is looking for diseases and toxins.
They colonize likely places, on accident. There is no good excuse for extinction.
Watch out for the compound 1080 in the honey. The Uruwera forest park is the only region in NZ not affected by 1080 dropped by helicopters in thousands of tons.
just wondering, https://seedtocrop.net/2019/05/new-zealand-manuka-honey-producer-chemicals/?fbclid=IwAR1mYmYNn60o9fG_BTMzJrhcJQf9-3yUGTYhhohMQIVih2fPPhTZ0F6-7MU
Please correct me if I’m mistaken, but I believe New Zealand exports ten times more Manuka honey than it collects. That said, I have some and I like it. It has an agreeable, kind of medicinal taste.
Hey, why spoil some esoteric hocus-pocus with the truth Tom?
Honey is honey. If it makes you feel good by purchasing some cool, secret sauce New Zealand honey, knock yourself out.
Betadine works just fine for me.