Consumption
of manuka honey is touted as an effective remedy for treating acid
reflux. But, how does it work in managing heartburn symptoms? To get
your answer for this query and many more on using manuka honey for acid
reflux treatment, keep reading...
Only people afflicted with acid
reflux know how troublesome the disease is. A chronic condition,
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or simply acid reflux causes a
string of discomforting symptoms. As of date, there is no cure for acid
reflux disease. After correct diagnosis, the treatment plan is focused
on effective disease management with medication and lifestyle
modifications. Besides the prescription drugs, using manuka honey is
purported as a natural treatment for acid reflux. Some patients use it
as a complementary medicine for good results.
Why Use Manuka Honey for Acid Reflux Treatment
In
a healthy person, food passed on to the stomach is prevented from
leaking back to the esophagus by a ring of muscles called the lower
esophageal sphincter (or LES). Whereas in a patient diagnosed with acid
reflux, this sphincter doesn't function properly as it should, thereby
allowing food and acidic juices to move backward. It is the acid that
damages the mucosal lining of the esophagus and causes heartburn
symptoms. GERD is a chronic problem and prompt intervention is necessary
to avoid disease progression and probable complications.
Conventional
medication prescribed for treating acid reflux works by reducing or
stopping stomach acid production, thereby neglecting the root cause.
Thus, temporary management of symptoms is achieved only when the
treatment drugs are administered. Moreover, long-term use of acid reflux
medicine is associated with various side effects. Considering all these
aspects, afflicted people prefer relying on natural remedies that are
free of health effects. As stated earlier, one such effectual approach
is using manuka honey.
The antimicrobial action of honey is known
to all of us. But, what is so unique about manuka honey that we should
use it for alleviating acid reflux? Well, this particular kind of honey
is collected by bees which exclusively feed on the manuka flowers, and
it contains a higher percentage of methylglyoxal (MGO) than other honey
types. The methylglyoxal along with other components are responsible for
imparting the antibacterial property to it. In addition to the strong
antibacterial action, manuka honey acts as an anti-inflammatory and
healing agent. Other advantages of this natural product are easy
availability, cost-effectiveness, no side effects, and easy use.
What does Research Say about Using Manuka Honey for Acid Reflux
Unfortunately,
there is no scientific proof for the effectiveness of manuka honey in
combating acid reflux. Previous studies had targeted the health benefits
of this honey type. Professor Peter Molan's research, conducted in
1982, led to the conclusion that this specific type of honey is a
wonderful antimicrobial agent. Its antibacterial strength was cited to
be 100 times more potent than the regular honey. It was then that
Professor Molan and his research associates from the University of
Waikato, New Zealand, introduced the unique manuka factor (abbreviated
as UMF) for measuring the potency of manuka honey against bacteria.
There
is no doubt about using this honey for topical application,
particularly over wounds, irritated skin, and skin infections. As per
some study reports, manuka honey is safe for internal use too.
Basically, it is suggested for counteracting infection and alleviating
digestive ailments like stomach discomfort, acid reflux, diarrhea,
ulcer, and gastritis. Presently, clinical trials are going on to confirm
the claimed therapeutic uses of manuka honey. According to the National
honey board, it is safe for children above 1 year, pregnant women, and
lactating mothers.
Which Manuka Honey is Good for Treating Acid Reflux
It
is understandable that not all types of honey contain a satisfactory
amount of methylglyoxal. Also, manuka honey is available under different
brands in the market, so an interested user should know which one is
the best for therapeutic application. The standard for denoting
antibacterial strength, i.e., UMF is represented in the scale of 0 - 15
and more. For combating acid reflux, use manuka honey with a UMF rating
of at least 10. Those falling within the range 5 - 9 are ideal for
regular consumption, but not for treatment purposes. If available,
purchase a superior product with a UMF 15.
How to Use Manuka Honey for Acid Reflux Treatment
A
claimed benefit of manuka honey is that this natural product protects
the esophageal lining by coating a layer. That way, the regurgitated
stomach acid does not come in direct contact with the mucosal tissues.
This allows healing of the tissues without causing side effects. To reap
the benefits, maximum absorption of the ingested honey by the
esophageal lining is crucial. Precisely speaking, it should remain in
the digestive tract for a longer period to promote absorption. For
ensuring slow digestion, a specific amount of honey is spread over a
slice of bread or cracker for consumption.
The ideal time for
taking manuka honey as a remedy for acid reflux is 30 minutes prior to
having meals and just before going to bed. So, simply spread a teaspoon
of this curative liquid over the base food (bread or cracker), and enjoy
it at the suggested timings. In case, heartburn is worsened after
eating a large meal, consider taking manuka honey immediately. While
some people sip honey tea to relieve heartburn, using the concentrated
version is more beneficial. Ingesting a teaspoon of the same for 3 times
a day is safe and beneficial for the user. Once the heartburn symptoms
subside, reduce the intake amount to 1 teaspoon per day.
To sum
up, many patients show good responses after using manuka honey as a
natural alternative for acid reflux. Some have even stopped relying on
GERD medication. In rare instances, allergic reactions to honey are
reported. So, those who are hypersensitive to bee pollen and honey
should strictly monitor the symptoms (if any) exhibited after ingesting
manuka honey. Last but not the least, diabetics and people who are on a
sugar restriction diet should take the concerned doctor's approval
before using honey or any kind of sweetening agent
