How much Manuka honey should I take?

One of the great things about being a honey lover is there are so many ways you can eat it, and Manuka honey from New Zealand is no different.

From supercharging your breakfasts, stirring into hot drinks, or simply taken off the spoon every morning or night – there is no right or wrong way to take Manuka honey. It is simply a question of your own personal preference and getting into a routine that suits you.

One of the more common questions we get asked at Manuka Doctor HQ is “how much Manuka honey should I take?”

This is an interesting topic which this blog will explore.

How much should I take?

Firstly there is no set dose for Manuka.

Because Manuka honey is classified as a food and not a medicine we instead recommend a serving size which is written on the side of all our jars.

The ideal serving per day of our Manuka Doctor honey is 21g. This roughly equates to a tablespoon daily – because Manuka honey is a heavy substance!

Or if you prefer, you could take approximately 3 teaspoons per day.

Some customers like to spread their Manuka throughout their meals. Starting the day with a teaspoon mixed into hot drinks or drizzled over their breakfast, and then another before bed time to help sooth a throat before you go to sleep.

If you stuck to a 21g per day serving, then one of our large 500g jars would last you just over three weeks (23 days) or longer depending on how you load up your spoon. See all of our 500 jars here. 

I am taking a higher MGO rating, should I take less?

While the serving recommendations remain the same regardless of MGO level, yes many customers do feel they need to take a smaller amount of our higher MGO ratings.

That’s because these grades can taste stronger, and some customers feel they need less amount to consume the same amount of MGO.

Ultimately this will be dependent on every customer’s taste to decide how much is right for you.

Can I take too much?

While there is no set upper limit to how much Manuka you can take, you should exercise caution and restraint with such a tasty product! Remember all honey contains high levels of natural sugar, so those with sensitivities should be careful not to take more than the suggested daily serving. If you are in doubt over a pre-existing health condition or diagnosis then contact your healthcare professional.

Should I take Manuka honey everyday?

To answer these common questions, we asked our customers for their views in a survey*.

The majority of people we surveyed, 75% take Manuka honey as part of a daily routine.

Some of you like to reach for a jar at the first signs of feeling under the weather, whereas others swear by a daily spoonful or a dollop on toast every morning.

Reassuringly a massive 81% of people surveyed said they felt better from taking Manuka honey (513 out of 630) and when asked what the main reason was for you to take manuka, a huge 90 per cent of you (571 out of 630) gave a wellness related reason.

As for why you take Manuka honey, popular reasons listed within the survey included ailments like coughs and colds, digestive issues, bacterial problems and general health and immunity reasons.

Can anyone eat Manuka honey?

Yes! The only restriction is for babies under 1 year old which is standard for all honey. That’s because honey may contain natural compounds which an infant's developing digestive system can't handle.

How do our customers take Manuka Honey?

For more ideas, hints and tips about if you should take Manuka honey everyday, you can find some useful reviews underneath all of the products in this website.

Eric W told us: “We have spoonful of this every night at bedtime”

While Surekha W said “Taste so good!! In my tea, on my toast, and oats porridge. I would definitely buy again!!”

And Irene O shared this tip “Love this honey on toast in morning - plenty of it too.” - Irene O.

Finally Janet S was a fan of the classic way to take Manuka honey, commenting: “This is a great taste I take a spoonful every morning”

Further questions about taking Manuka Honey?

I have a question which isn’t answered here. What shall I do?

Our customer care team will be happy to help. Simply call 01455 89 59 59 or email customerservices@manukadoctor.co.uk where our team will be happy to discuss with you.

* Survey ran in November 2018. Results from 630 Manuka Doctor customers. Survey results were collected via email and the Survey Monkey platform. View the survey results here.

Five ways to enjoy taking Manuka Honey!

However you view Manuka Honey, there are so many ways to enjoy it. Like many Manuka fans, you can take it by the spoonful to soothe a sore throat or cough. Honey is more effective than anything you may get from the chemist, according to Dr Tessa Lewis, GP and chair of the NICE antimicrobial prescribing guideline group,¹ who recommended it to treat coughs after a major review of studies published in the British Journal of General Practice found cough medicines were, at best, ineffective, and at worst, had some unpleasant side effects.² That goes for your children, too, with research finding a spoonful of honey at night can do more than over-the-counter medicines to soothe children’s coughs and help them sleep better (just don’t give it to babies under one because of the botulism risk).³ And, of course, making your honey Manuka has special benefits because it’s packed with the potent antimicrobial substance methylglyoxal (MGO), along with other compounds, which together help kill off certain bacteria.

But you don’t just have to treat it like a medicine you take by the spoon. With its delicious flavour, Manuka Honey’s versatile enough to use in lots of different ways, while still getting those wellness benefits. Here are a few...

1. Manuka Honey, strawberry and banana smoothie

Whiz together a large banana, four or five strawberries, 1tbsp ground flaxseeds, a glass of oat milk and 1tbsp Manuka Honey (or you can use more, or less, to taste). Add more milk if you prefer it less thick.

The benefits: This delicious smoothie is packed with vitamin- and mineral-dense fruit, and the healing properties of Manuka Honey.

Perfect for: a light breakfast or mid-morning snack.

2. Healing honey porridge

Lightly toast a portion of oats in a saucepan, then add water and bring to the boil, before simmering gently with a good pinch each of cinnamon and nutmeg, a star anise, and a couple of cardamom pods. When the porridge is cooked, stir through 1tbsp of Manuka Honey. Top with chopped pear and toasted walnuts and sunflower seeds.

The benefits: Warming spices, nuts and seeds rich in protein and healthy oils, fibre-rich oats and pears, plus wellness-boosting Manuka Honey.

Perfect for: a hearty, healthy, filling breakfast on a chilly morning.

3. Fruit crumble

Gently stew 600g fruit – such as apples or apricots - with a little water plus Manuka Honey, to taste, until the fruit has softened. For the topping, mix 200g oats with 100g ground almonds. In a pan, gently heat 3tbsp coconut oil with 2tbsp Manuka Honey and a good pinch each of ground cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg. When the oil’s melted, blend with the oats and almonds, spread the mixture on top of the fruit and bake at 180C for about 25 minutes.

The benefits: Sweet but healthy, you’ll get nutrient-packed fruit, plus a big dose of fibre from the oats.

Perfect for: A delicious dessert!

4. Manuka on toast

Try making toast from rye bread – the slightly sour, nutty flavour is a great combination with honey. Scrape a little coconut oil across the toast, then slather on your Manuka Honey. Scatter on sliced banana and flaked almonds for added flavour and texture.

The benefits: Gluten-free and fibre-rich, rye bread’s good news for your digestive system – the banana and nuts add more fibre.

Perfect for: a teatime snack.

5. Manuka yoghurt

Swirl 1tsp Manuka Honey into plain yoghurt. Add a pinch of cinnamon, a handful of blueberries and raspberries, and a sprinkling of chopped pecans.

The benefits: The yoghurt contains protein and calcium, vital for healthy bones. Berries are rich in substances called anthocyanins, needed for healthy blood vessels, while the pecans give you fibre and good fats. Plus Manuka magic –what’s not to love?

Perfect for: Breakfast, dessert or a filling snack – take your pick.

Psst! This blog, has a delicious recipe for a Manuka Honey hot toddy...