Find answers to frequently asked questions about our premium Manuka Honey products.
🍯 What is Manuka honey?
Manuka honey is a rare, medicinal-grade honey made from the nectar of the Manuka tree (Leptospermum scoparium), native to New Zealand. Unlike regular honey, Manuka contains MGO (methylglyoxal) — a naturally occurring compound with powerful antibacterial properties. At Mt Lyford Honey, our Manuka is wild-harvested in a remote alpine environment, 100% raw, never heat-treated, and never made from sugar-fed bees. Each jar captures the purity and potency that make Manuka honey one of nature’s most powerful superfoods.
🌿 What are the health benefits of Manuka honey?
Manuka honey is prized for its natural antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties. Health benefits include:
🛡️ Immune support – helps fight off colds, flu, and infections
💛 Digestive health – soothes the gut and supports microbiome balance
😷 Sore throat relief – coats the throat and kills harmful bacteria
🧴 Skin & wound care – may support healing of acne, eczema, and minor burns
🌸 Overall wellness – provides antioxidants, enzymes, and trace nutrients
At Mt Lyford, our raw Manuka is never heated or diluted — preserving the full spectrum of wellness benefits straight from the hive.
🔬 What’s the difference between MGO and UMF in Manuka honey?
MGO and UMF are both rating systems for Manuka honey potency, but they measure different things:
MGO (Methylglyoxal) measures the actual concentration of the antibacterial compound — the higher the number, the stronger the activity.
UMF (Unique Manuka Factor) is a broader scale that includes MGO, DHA, and leptosperin levels.
At Mt Lyford Honey, we use MGO because it’s direct, scientific, and lab-testable. Each batch is independently tested to certify the exact MGO content, giving you complete confidence in its strength and authenticity.
🐝 What’s the difference between honey from sugar-fed bees and honey from bees not fed sugar?
Most commercial honey comes from bees fed sugar syrup to boost yields. But sugar-fed honey lacks the complex flavours, enzymes, and medicinal benefits of true wild honey.
At Mt Lyford Honey, we never feed sugar to our bees — even during winter. Our hives thrive in rich, untouched alpine forests, allowing them to forage only from natural nectar sources like Manuka, Beech, and wild blackberry. The result? Real, raw honey with superior taste, health benefits, and integrity — just as nature intended.
🧉 Can I mix Manuka MGO honey into hot drinks or will it lose potency?
Use only in warm (not boiling) drinks – high heat can damage the enzymes and antibacterial compounds.
🌿 What does Manuka honey help with?
It is scientifically proven to help with infections, inflammation, acne, ulcers, and as a natural immune booster.
🐝 Is Mt Lyford Honey's Manuka MGO honey ethically sourced and wild?
Yes – our bees forage freely in the wild, alpine Manuka groves of North Canterbury with no sugar feeding.
🧡 Why choose higher MGO over lower MGO levels?
Our 346+ MGO delivers the highest potency in our range, offering unmatched power for those seeking advanced natural remedies. It is not heat treated - if we heat treated like other commercial operators, we would double/triple our MGO levels but this can also damage other compounds in the honey. We prefer raw, natural honey for the most potent medicinal value.
🔬 What does an MGO rating mean in Manuka honey?
MGO (Methylglyoxal) is the compound responsible for Manuka’s antibacterial power – the higher the number, the stronger the effect.
🍽️ Can I use Manuka honey for gut health or digestion?
Absolutely – Manuka honey helps soothe the gut lining, balance microbiome health, and support digestion.
🐝 What makes Mt Lyford Honey's Manuka honey special?
Our bees forage wild alpine Manuka without sugar feeding, creating a rare, pure honey aged naturally for maximum strength.
🧊 Does Manuka honey need to be refrigerated?
No – store it in a cool, dry place out of sunlight. Refrigeration may cause crystallisation.
❄️ Does Manuka honey crystallise in cold weather?
Yes, raw honey may naturally crystallise in cooler temperatures – a sign of purity and high quality.
🥄 Can I eat Manuka honey straight from the spoon?
Yes! Many people enjoy 100+ MGO straight off the spoon as a delicious and healthful daily habit.
📦 Is Manuka honey good for gifting or daily use?
Yes – it’s the perfect all-rounder, ideal for health-conscious gifting or as a daily staple in your pantry.
For more information or specific inquiries, please contact us directly.
