How do you remember honey as a child and how do you see it now?
Aside from copious amounts of honey and butter on crumpets, my most vivid memory is my nan mixing honey with apple cider vinegar. I actually can’t remember if she did it as a bit of a wellness tonic (if so, she was pretty progressive haha) or because I loved the flavour combination. A bit of both, I think.
Now, I view honey as a delicious, medicinal part of my diet and daily wellness. Barnes Naturals manuka is just part of my supplement routine. A spoonful a day keeps the lurgies away!
When did you first hear about Manuka honey and its wellness benefits as a naturopath? And what were your immediate thoughts?
I can remember coming across some research for its application in treating diabetic leg ulcers and understanding how notoriously difficult they are to treat, I thought it must be a really powerful product to support that level of healing. Last year when my daughter had a surgical wound open unexpectedly and really start to fester, I immediately thought to pack it with Barnes Naturals Manuka and the result was nothing short of miraculous. Seeing how it healed her wound made me an instant fan!
Where do you see manuka honey in the future of health and wellness?
I really hope the scientific community continues to explore the potential health benefits of Manuka honey. Particularly as a powerful prebiotic to support gut health and for its immune supportive qualities. I also see manuka honey making an appearance in skin care and beauty ranges. It would be great to see it included more as a culinary ingredient too because the Barnes Naturals manuka honey is so very delicious – it truly is food as medicine!
As a naturopath, how do you believe we can simplify the process of achieving wellness through food?
I believe we can do this by ditching the diets and simply coming back to basics – by enjoying a good variety of real, whole, mostly unprocessed foods like meats, vegetables, fruit, nuts, seeds, legumes and whole grains. These are foods we have evolved to eat and they nourish our body’s best. Also by trying to cook as much of what you eat as possible instead of relying on food corporations to feed us.
How do you perceive the choice of Australian food products as a catalyst for a more sustainable future in our food systems and overall wellness?
When we choose Australian products, we support sustainable agriculture which protects the environment and defends food biodiversity. It also supports small-scale food producers and keeps our money within our own communities. I firmly believe that change begins with us as individuals and that ultimately shapes our families and our world.
What is something that astounds and surprises you about food?
That it talks to our genes and has the ability to turn them on or off. Eating is something we do every day and enjoying whole, unprocessed food has the ability to support our wellness and protect us against so many diseases. You only have to have a spoonful of Barnes manuka honey when you have a sore throat to realise the power it has to heal.
I’m also astounded at how food connects us and brings people together. There’s nothing more pleasurable than enjoying a meal with loved ones.
Disclaimer: While this blog post explores the potential benefits of Manuka honey, particularly in relation to wound healing, it is essential to clarify that the information provided here are not claims made by our product, as we have not conducted independent research on its specific effects. We encourage our readers to make informed decisions and consult with healthcare professionals for personalised advice. For further information and in-depth research on the topic of Manuka Honey, please see research articles below.
Tashkandi, H. (2021). Honey in wound healing: an updated review. Open Life Science 16(1):1091-1100
Kapoor N, Yadav R. (2021) Manuka honey: a promising wound dressing material for the chronic nonhealing discharging wounds: a retrospective study. Natl J Maxillofac Surg. 12(2):233-237
It’s always wise to consider a wide range of resources and expert opinions before drawing any conclusions or making health-related choices.