Choosing the right Manuka honey strength depends on how you plan to use it. Manuka honey is graded by its MGO rating, which measures the naturally occurring methylglyoxal content in the honey. As a general guide, the higher the MGO number, the stronger and more potent the Manuka honey.

At Barnes Naturals, we recommend choosing the highest MGO Manuka honey strength that suits your needs and budget, so you can enjoy the most from every jar.

Everyday Strength — MGO 100+ and under
A versatile choice for daily use. Everyday Strength Manuka honey is ideal for adding to food and drinks, enjoying by the spoonful, or mixing into your natural skincare routine.

Medium Strength — MGO 300+ and MGO 400+
A step up in strength for those looking to make Manuka honey part of their everyday wellness routine. Medium Strength Manuka is a popular choice for a daily spoonful of goodness.

High Strength — MGO 550+ and MGO 850+
A stronger Manuka honey option to keep on hand during the colder months, or whenever you want to support your seasonal wellness routine with a higher MGO rating.

Ultra Strength — MGO 1050+ and above
Our rarest and most potent Manuka honey. Ultra Strength Manuka is a premium choice for those seeking nature’s finest, or a meaningful gift for someone who matters most.

For personal use, MGO 100+ is a great everyday Manuka honey, MGO 300+ and 400+ offer a more intentional daily wellness choice, and MGO 550+ and above are suited to those looking for a higher-strength Manuka. For gifting, MGO 1050+ is a genuine expression of care and one of Barnes Naturals’ most special strengths.

Quick guide: If you’re new to Manuka honey, start with MGO 100+ for everyday use. Choose MGO 300+ or 400+ for a daily wellness routine, MGO 550+ or 850+ for seasonal support, and MGO 1050+ for a rare, premium Manuka honey gift.

We suggest storing Manuka honey in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

Though there is significant research into the antimicrobial properties of Manuka honey, we are unable to provide dosage advice for Manuka as each individual health case is different, we recommend you consult with a qualified health professional (e.g. pharmacist, naturopath, nutritionist, general practitioner) for specific advice relating to your health.

For commercially competitive reasons there have been several symbols introduced into the market over recent years aimed to represent the strength of Manuka, such as UMF, NPA and MGO. We prefer to use the MGO rating as it is a direct measure of the amount of MGO (methylglyoxal) found in the honey, accurately quantified in mg/kg of honey. The higher the MGO number, the more MGO is found in that honey, corresponding to a higher antibacterial activity. Below is a simple table to assist with understanding the different ratings.

Manuka Activity Rating Conversions

Manuka honey may be given to children over the age of one. We advise against feeding honey to children under the age of one due to a very small risk of contracting infant botulism.

Chemist Warehouse stocks our full Manuka honey range in stores across Australia and online. In addition, our range can also be found at Heinemann at Sydney International Airport.

Both New Zealand and Australian Manuka honey contain the key active component unique to Manuka honey, Methylglyoxal (MGO). At Barnes Naturals, Manuka honey from both origins is independently tested by a third party to ensure specified MGO levels. As Australia and New Zealand have unique biodiversity there may be slight differences in taste. As a natural product, this variation is also observed as the strength of Manuka honey increases, with higher active Manuka honey typically considered to have a stronger, more medicinal taste.

Manuka Honey is a unique honey, and the only honey to contain the compound Methylglyoxal. This is a very scientific-sounding name, that we like to shorten to MGO to keep things simple. The MGO found in Manuka honey is the component responsible for the activity of the honey. Numerous scientific studies and research have determined MGO to be the source of anti-bacterial activity in Manuka honey.

Manuka honey has been studied many times over the years, most often for its natural healing effect on topical skin conditions. Here are some studies we’ve found to be useful: “Antibacterial activity of Manuka honey and its components”, “Correlation of the antibacterial activity of commercial manuka and Leptospermum honeys from Australia and New Zealand with methylglyoxal content and other physicochemical characteristics” and “The Antibacterial Activity of Australian Leptospermum Honey Correlates with Methylglyoxal Levels”

Yes, all of our Manuka honey, whether sourced from Australia or New Zealand, is 100% authentic Active Manuka honey that has been independently tested for its activity levels.

Honey is an amazing natural substance, and due to the makeup of the substances naturally found in honey, it does not expire. Honey provides its own natural preservative process which means it’s safe to eat for years. Manuka Honey contains a component not found in other types of honey called MGO (methylglyoxal), this is what contributes to its more active properties. Our research has found if stored in cool dry conditions, the level of MGO in Barnes Naturals Manuka Honey can remain stable and unchanged for at least 2 to 3 years.

We recommend seeking the advice of your healthcare professional before using Manuka honey while pregnant or breastfeeding.