# Tōtika Health > Evidence-based articles on MGO Mānuka honey, bioactive skincare, and wound care science. By Dr Isaac Flitta, PhD. Bay of Islands, New Zealand. Public Ghost content for AI and LLM tooling. This file includes a bounded export of public pages first, then recent public posts. Append `.md` to any post or page URL to get the content in Markdown (for example, `/example-post.md`). ## Pages ### About this site URL: https://blog.totikahealth.co.nz/about/ Last updated: 2026-04-07T21:05:17.000Z This is an independent publication launched in March 2026 by Dr Isaac Flitta. If you subscribe today, you'll get full access to the website and email newsletters about new content as it becomes available. Your subscription makes this site possible and allows Wellbeing and food to continue to exist. Thank you! ### Access all areas By signing up, you'll get access to the full archive of everything that's been published before and everything that's still to come. 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Get started for free and set up your very own subscription business using [Ghost](https://ghost.org/?ref=blog.totikahealth.co.nz), the same platform that powers this website. ### MGO 1050+ landing page URL: https://blog.totikahealth.co.nz/buy-manuka-honey-mgo-1050/ Last updated: 2026-04-07T01:36:32.000Z ![Totika Premium Manuka Honey MGO 1050+ 250g jar, Bay of Islands, New Zealand](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7f7138_53a78252ed0549588dc4acac3a9a0b90~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_600,h_600,q_85,enc_avif,quality_auto/7f7138_53a78252ed0549588dc4acac3a9a0b90~mv2.jpg) MGO 1050+ UMF 23+ Bay of Islands, NZ IANZ Tested ## Premium Manuka Honey MGO 1050+ (UMF 23+) 5-year naturally matured. Raw and unpasteurised. Sourced from our hives in Kerikeri, Northland, one of the world's most potent Manuka honeys. --- NZ$195.00 NZ$185.00 250g jar · you save NZ$10 🛒 Adjust quantity at checkout. Stock up and save on shipping, especially for international orders. Estimate shipping New Zealand North America (USA and Canada) Europe Estimated shipping Free [Buy now · NZ$185 · secure checkout ](https://buy.stripe.com/dRm00jgHN0WZ9Iy6AGaIM04?ref=blog.totikahealth.co.nz) Stripe secure checkout · Visa · Mastercard · Apple Pay · Google Pay IANZ lab tested MPI RMP certified SSL secure Ships worldwide Money-back guarantee Product specification | MGO rating | 1050+ (extremely high potency) | | ----------------------- | -------------------------------------------------- | | UMF equivalent | 23+ | | Origin | Bay of Islands, Northland, New Zealand | | RMP certification | BOIHS2013 | | Laboratory testing | IANZ accredited, monofloral verified | | Purity | Raw, unpasteurised, antibiotic-free, additive-free | | Maturation | 5-year natural cellaring (DHA to MGO conversion) | | Net weight | 250g | | Shipping, New Zealand | Free | | Shipping, North America | NZ$75.00 flat rate, tracked | | Shipping, Europe | NZ$85.00 flat rate, tracked | Why MGO 1050+ 🫁 Daily wellness Half a teaspoon each morning on an empty stomach to support gut wellbeing, vitality, and immune resilience. ✨ Skin healing A natural humectant that draws moisture deep into the skin. The same active ingredient in our DermaSeal clinical wound dressings. ⚡ Clean energy Natural sugars for sustained energy without the crash of refined sweeteners. Ideal for active lifestyles. How to use 1 **Morning ritual:** Half a teaspoon on an empty stomach. Let it rest for a minute before eating to allow the bioactive compounds to absorb. 2 **Glow mask:** Apply a thin layer to clean skin and leave for 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water for a deeply hydrated, clear complexion. 3 **Wellness boost:** Stir into lukewarm water or herbal tea. Avoid boiling water, as heat above 40 degrees Celsius degrades the MGO enzymes. Customer reviews ★★★★★ "Amazing stuff. I use it when I feel under the weather or have a sore throat. Completely takes it away. My partner severely burned himself and it took the pain away in a couple of hours." Alex Choice Google Review · October 2023 ★★★★★ "I bought it for my mother who was doing chemotherapy. I recommend!" Lamia Google Review · July 2023 ★★★★★ "I am allergic to honey at home in the USA but not Manuka honey. I love the flavour and health benefits. Very thankful they ship to the USA. Very worth the money." Linda Davis Google Review · June 2023 ★★★★★ "Great for anything skin-related: burns, cuts, pimples. So much better than anything you'll get from the pharmacy." Vanh Anothai Google Review · 2021 Questions answered Can I buy more than one jar? ▼ Yes. At checkout you can adjust the quantity to however many jars you need. Buying more is a great way to make the most of your shipping cost, especially for international orders. How much is shipping? ▼ Shipping within New Zealand is completely free. North America (USA and Canada) is a flat rate of NZ$75, tracked. Europe is a flat rate of NZ$85, tracked. Shipping is calculated automatically at checkout based on your delivery address. Why is this honey more expensive than others? ▼ This is a 5-year naturally matured harvest. MGO forms slowly as a precursor compound called DHA converts over time. We don't heat-accelerate this process. You are paying for genuine rarity, patience, and one of the highest bio-active concentrations nature can produce in a single-ingredient food. Is this the same honey used in DermaSeal wound dressings? ▼ Yes. The MGO 1050+ is the foundational active ingredient in our sterile DermaSeal wound care and burn dressings. While this jar is for home wellness and cosmetic use, it contains the exact same raw potency profile we trust in our clinical applications. What is the difference between MGO and UMF? ▼ MGO (Methylglyoxal) is the direct scientific measurement of the bio-active compound responsible for Manuka honey's unique properties. UMF is a composite industry score. We prioritise MGO because it tells you exactly how much bioactive compound is in the jar, with no composite averaging and no ambiguity. MGO 1050+ is equivalent to UMF 23+. Is this product certified and tested? ▼ Every batch is independently tested by an IANZ-accredited laboratory to confirm all 5 MPI-mandated attributes of genuine monofloral Manuka honey (4 chemical, 1 DNA marker). RMP certification BOIHS2013\. US FDA registration #16798813536\. EU TRACES compliant for export. ### Ready to experience MGO 1050+? Free NZ shipping · SSL secure checkout · Adjust quantity at checkout · Money-back guarantee [Order now · NZ$185 ](https://buy.stripe.com/dRm00jgHN0WZ9Iy6AGaIM04?ref=blog.totikahealth.co.nz) MPI RMP: BOIHS2013 US FDA: #16798813536 EU TRACES Registered IANZ Accredited Testing NZBN 9429048897075 ## Posts ### Manuka Honey for Acne and Breakouts: What the Science Actually Shows URL: https://blog.totikahealth.co.nz/manuka-honey-for-acne-and-breakouts-what-the-science-actually-shows/ Last updated: 2026-07-31T09:16:05.000Z **At a Glance** High-MGO Mānuka honey has real, measurable activity against the bacteria involved in inflamed breakouts, and it calms the redness and swelling around them without drying the skin. It is not a cure for acne, and the one randomised trial of honey for acne did not beat medicated soap. What it does well is settle reactive, inflamed, barrier-damaged skin. That distinction is the whole article. If you have moderate or severe acne, see a doctor or dermatologist. --- Every summer we have the same conversation in our Kerikeri shop, and every winter the northern half of our customers have the opposite one. Skin breaks out in the heat, sweat and sunscreen of a New Zealand January. It flares in the dry cold and indoor heating of a European February. Different weather, same complaint: red, bumpy, irritated skin that will not settle. People reach for the strongest thing on the shelf, and often make it worse. So this is an honest look at what is actually happening when skin breaks out, what Mānuka honey does about it, and, just as important, what it does not. We sell a serum built on this science. We are still going to tell you where the evidence stops. --- ## What a Breakout Actually Is A breakout is not one thing. The word covers at least three different problems that look similar in the mirror, and they do not all respond to the same treatment. **Inflammatory acne** is the red, swollen, sometimes painful kind. A pore clogs with oil and dead skin, the bacterium *Cutibacterium acnes* multiplies inside it, and the immune system reacts. That reaction is the redness and swelling you see.\[1\] **Comedonal acne** is blackheads and whiteheads: clogged pores without much inflammation. There is no bacterial infection driving it, so antibacterial approaches do very little here. **Reactive flares** are the rashes, the stress bumps, the eczema-prone patches, the post-illness itch. These share a mechanism with acne but are really a barrier problem: the skin's outer wall is damaged, water escapes, irritants get in, and inflammation follows.\[2\] This matters because Mānuka honey helps two of these three, and barely touches the other. Anyone who tells you honey clears all acne is selling you something. The useful question is which breakout you actually have. ![Diagram comparing inflammatory acne, comedonal acne and reactive flares, showing how each type of breakout forms.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/31/68/31682e39-782e-406f-8831-70347df006e3/content/images/2026/07/What-a-Breakout-Actually-Is.png) --- ## The Skin Barrier Is a Wall, and Most Breakouts Start When the Mortar Goes Think of the outer layer of skin, the stratum corneum, as a brick wall. The cells are the bricks; the fats and oils between them are the mortar. When the mortar holds, water stays in and irritants stay out. When it goes, whether from heat and sweat, cold and dry air, hot showers, harsh cleansers, or stress hormones, two things happen at once. Water escapes from the inside, drying the skin. And bacteria and irritants get in from the outside, triggering inflammation.\[2\] Sweat is not neutral, either. It carries lactic acid, salt and ammonia, all of which sting a compromised barrier. That is why summer skin can flare as badly as winter skin, and why "just wash more" often backfires: most acne washes strip the mortar faster than they remove the problem. The two most common responses make the wall worse. Harsh scrubs and high-strength actives strip more mortar. Topical steroids calm the inflammation but thin the skin over time and do nothing to rebuild the barrier.\[2\] The gap, and the reason bioactive honey is interesting, is an ingredient that reduces inflammation *and* supports the wall at the same time. ## What MGO Mānuka Honey Actually Does Mānuka honey comes from the nectar of *Leptospermum scoparium*, and its defining compound is methylglyoxal, MGO. Unlike the hydrogen peroxide activity in ordinary honey, which is unstable and degrades quickly on skin, MGO is chemically stable and keeps working at the surface. That stability is why grade matters, and why our skincare is built at MGO 823+ rather than supermarket honey. ![Diagram of the three ways MGO Mānuka honey works on breakout-prone skin: targets bacteria, calms inflammation, and supports the skin barrier.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/31/68/31682e39-782e-406f-8831-70347df006e3/content/images/2026/07/What-MGO-M--nuka-Honey-Actually-Does.png) ### 1\. It targets the bacteria behind inflamed spots A landmark 2010 study in *The FASEB Journal* worked out how honey kills bacteria, identifying four factors working together: high sugar, low pH, hydrogen peroxide and MGO, plus an antimicrobial bee peptide called defensin-1\. In that work, honey killed even antibiotic-resistant strains including MRSA.\[3\] A 2020 systematic review in *Antibiotics* confirmed the clinical significance of Mānuka honey against resistant skin pathogens.\[4\] For the bacterial, inflammatory kind of breakout, this is the active mechanism. ### 2\. It calms the inflammation, not just the bacteria A controlled clinical study in *Immunity, Inflammation and Disease* applied Mānuka honey to inflammatory skin lesions for seven consecutive nights. The treated side showed a statistically significant improvement in severity scores; the untreated side did not.\[5\] Redness and swelling are the immune response, and calming that response is often what people actually want when a spot appears. ### 3\. It supports the barrier instead of stripping it Honey is a humectant: it draws and holds moisture in the skin, directly countering the water loss of a damaged barrier. It also sits at a naturally acidic pH of roughly 3.2 to 4.5, close to healthy skin's own pH, an environment that discourages the wrong bacteria and supports repair.\[6\] This is the opposite of what benzoyl peroxide and strong acids do, which is why honey suits reactive and sensitive skin that cannot tolerate those. New Zealand bee propolis, the other active in our serum, adds antioxidant defence and supports the skin's own repair through its flavonoid content, working on the same inflammatory pathways that pharmaceutical anti-inflammatories target.\[7\] ## Now the Honest Part: What the Evidence Does Not Show Here is the study most Mānuka skincare brands do not mention. In 2016, Semprini and colleagues ran a proper randomised controlled trial of medical-grade kānuka honey for facial acne, 136 people, published in *BMJ Open*. The result: honey plus antibacterial soap was no more effective than antibacterial soap alone.\[8\] That is a real finding and we are not going to hide from it. Two things about it are worth understanding. It used kānuka honey, not high-MGO Mānuka, so the active compound was different. And it tested honey as a treatment for established acne as a whole, comedonal and inflammatory together, when the mechanisms above only address the inflammatory, bacterial part. **The fair conclusion:** Mānuka honey is not an acne cure, and no honest label should call it one. What it is good at, supported by both the mechanism studies and a decade of our own customers, is calming inflamed, reactive, barrier-damaged skin: the red flare, the stress rash, the irritated patch, the spot that will not settle. That is a narrower claim than "clears acne", and it happens to be the true one. ## What This Means for the Magic Serum Our [Magic Serum](https://www.totikahealth.co.nz/product-page/high-potency-serum?ref=blog.totikahealth.co.nz) is formulated at MGO 823+ with New Zealand bee propolis, kawakawa (a native plant traditionally used to soothe inflammation) and tamanu oil. It is designed to do the three things the science supports: calm inflammation, discourage surface bacteria, and support the barrier rather than strip it. It is not a spot-zapping acid and does not pretend to be. It is the thing you reach for when your skin is inflamed, reactive, and tired of being attacked by everything else. The pattern in our customer reviews is strikingly consistent, and it is the reactive-skin pattern, not the cystic-acne one. "I struggle with stress rashes, summer rashes and they always drive me crazy. I've had one on my knee for two months and it was only getting worse. I bought your Magic Serum last week, took a photo before I started using it, and these are the results. Magic Serum. Thank you so much." Cant S., Kerikeri "I had a very itchy rash on my back following a bout of covid. This product stopped the itch and healed the rash. Highly recommended." Rosie, verified review "Used it on a burned forehead that started to peel and it helped repair the skin fast. Remoisturised it." Rick D., Utah, United States "I usually use it when I get a fever blister. Even when it is already there, I put on this serum and it disappears. That never happened with any other serum or cream I used." Sibille, Austria "Love, love, love this product. It has the most amazing texture and spreads beautifully. I hope they never stop production, because it's all I want to use." Lynette M., Auckland These are individual experiences, not clinical proof, and we present them as exactly that. What is notable is how tightly they cluster around inflamed, reactive skin: the rash, the burn, the blister, the flare. That is the serum working where the science says it should. ## How to Use It for Reactive, Breakout-Prone Skin | Step | What to do | Why | | -------- | -------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------- | | When | Morning and night, clean, slightly damp skin | Humectant action works better with surface moisture to draw in | | How much | A thin layer; on a flare, just the area | Actives work in small quantities, more is not better | | How long | Seven consistent days before judging | The clinical evidence uses a seven-day window | | Avoid | Harsh exfoliating acids during a flare | Let the barrier stabilise first, then reintroduce actives | | Caution | Patch test if allergic to bee products | Honey and propolis can trigger bee-product allergies | ## Who This Is For This is for people with reactive, easily-inflamed skin: stress rashes, eczema-prone patches, post-illness irritation, redness that flares with heat or cold, and the inflamed, bacterial kind of breakout. It is a fire extinguisher for angry skin. It is not a treatment for moderate to severe acne, cystic acne, or hormonal acne that needs medical management. If that is you, please see a GP or dermatologist. Mānuka honey is a good ally for a compromised barrier, not a replacement for medical care. **Important:** This article provides general education only and is not medical advice. Skincare containing Mānuka honey and bee propolis is a cosmetic product, not a medicine, and is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any condition. If you have acne that is painful, scarring or spreading, or any diagnosed skin condition, consult your GP or dermatologist. If you have a known allergy to bee products, do not use products containing them without medical guidance. *Read next: [How to Treat Skin Rashes and Eczema with MGO Mānuka Honey](https://blog.totikahealth.co.nz/how-to-treat-skin-rashes-eczema-manuka-honey/) and [New Zealand Bee Propolis in Skincare: What the Science Actually Shows](https://blog.totikahealth.co.nz/new-zealand-bee-propolis-in-skincare-what-the-science-actually-shows/). Explore the [Tōtika bioactive skincare range](https://www.totikahealth.co.nz/category/skincare?ref=blog.totikahealth.co.nz).* --- ## Frequently Asked Questions Does Mānuka honey clear acne? It is not a cure for acne. It has real activity against the bacteria and inflammation involved in red, inflamed breakouts, but it does little for blackheads and whiteheads, which are clogged pores rather than infection. The one randomised trial of honey for acne found no benefit over antibacterial soap. It is best understood as a way to calm inflamed, reactive skin, not a standalone acne treatment. Why MGO 823+ and not ordinary honey? The antibacterial action of ordinary honey comes largely from hydrogen peroxide, which is unstable and breaks down quickly on skin. MGO (methylglyoxal) is chemically stable and keeps working at the surface. Higher MGO means more of the stable active, which is why our skincare is formulated at MGO 823+. Is it safe for sensitive or reactive skin? Yes for most people. It contains no synthetic fragrance and sits at a skin-friendly acidic pH, which suits reactive skin that cannot tolerate strong acids or benzoyl peroxide. Patch test first if you have a known bee-product allergy. How long before I see a difference? The clinical evidence for inflammatory skin shows meaningful improvement after about seven days of consistent use. Some people report visible calming within three to five days. Use it daily, not occasionally. Can I use it alongside prescribed acne treatment? It is a cosmetic skincare product, not a substitute for medical treatment. If you are under a GP or dermatologist, discuss adding it. The ingredients have no known interaction with common topical acne treatments, but your clinician should confirm. --- ## References 1. Zaenglein AL et al. *Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris.* J Am Acad Dermatol. 2016;74(5):945-973\. doi:[10.1016/j.jaad.2015.12.037](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2015.12.037?ref=blog.totikahealth.co.nz). 2. Rajkumar J, Chandan N, Lio P, Shi V. *The Skin Barrier and Moisturization: Function, Disruption, and Mechanisms of Repair.* Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2023;36(4):174-185\. doi:[10.1159/000534136](https://doi.org/10.1159/000534136?ref=blog.totikahealth.co.nz). 3. Kwakman PHS et al. *How honey kills bacteria.* FASEB J. 2010;24(7):2576-2582\. doi:[10.1096/fj.09-150789](https://doi.org/10.1096/fj.09-150789?ref=blog.totikahealth.co.nz). 4. Nolan VC, Harrison J, Wright JEE, Cox JAG. *Clinical Significance of Manuka and Medical-Grade Honey for Antibiotic-Resistant Infections: A Systematic Review.* Antibiotics. 2020;9(11):766\. doi:[10.3390/antibiotics9110766](https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics9110766?ref=blog.totikahealth.co.nz). 5. Alangari AA, Morris K, Lwaleed BA et al. *Honey is potentially effective in the treatment of atopic dermatitis: Clinical and mechanistic studies.* Immun Inflamm Dis. 2017;5(2):190-199\. doi:[10.1002/iid3.153](https://doi.org/10.1002/iid3.153?ref=blog.totikahealth.co.nz). 6. Lambers H, Piessens S, Bloem A, Pronk H, Finkel P. *Natural skin surface pH is on average below 5, which is beneficial for its resident flora.* Int J Cosmet Sci. 2006;28(5):359-370\. doi:[10.1111/j.1467-2494.2006.00344.x](https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-2494.2006.00344.x?ref=blog.totikahealth.co.nz). 7. Zulhendri F, Lesmana R, Tandean S et al. *Recent Update on the Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Propolis.* Molecules. 2022;27(23):8473\. doi:[10.3390/molecules27238473](https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27238473?ref=blog.totikahealth.co.nz). 8. Semprini A et al. *Randomised controlled trial of topical kanuka honey for the treatment of acne.* BMJ Open. 2016;6(2):e009448\. doi:[10.1136/bmjopen-2015-009448](https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2015-009448?ref=blog.totikahealth.co.nz). --- Dr Isaac Flitta PhD & Sara Samavati Isaac is Founder and CEO of Tōtika Health Limited, based in Kerikeri, Bay of Islands. He holds a PhD in aerospace materials engineering and an MPhil in biomedical engineering, is a Founding Member of Apiculture New Zealand (FM00007), and has kept bees in Northland since 2013\. Sara Samavati is Director of Skincare Solutions at Tōtika Health and leads formulation of the bioactive skincare range, which is built on MGO 823+ Mānuka honey and New Zealand bee propolis and produced at the company's MPI-registered facility in Kerikeri. Clinically reviewed by Kim Slemint, RN, Clinical Advisor, Tōtika Health Limited. ### Winter Wellness from the Hive: Mānuka Honey, Propolis and Bee Pollen as Natural Supplements URL: https://blog.totikahealth.co.nz/winter-wellness-hive-manuka-propolis-bee-pollen/ Last updated: 2026-05-08T09:43:17.000Z By Dr Isaac Flitta PhD | Clinically reviewed by Kim Slemint, RN By Dr Isaac Flitta — 07 May 2026 **At a Glance** Mānuka honey, bee propolis, and bee pollen are three distinct hive products with different bioactive profiles: methylglyoxal in honey, flavonoids in propolis, and amino acids and enzymes in pollen. Together they offer complementary immune, antimicrobial, and nutritional support through winter. People who are allergic to bee products, pregnant, or taking immunosuppressants should consult their GP before use. --- --- Winter in New Zealand does something specific to your body. The UV Index drops, daylight shortens, outdoor time decreases, and your immune system faces a different workload than it does in summer. Most people reach for vitamin C tablets or a zinc lozenge. A growing body of peer-reviewed research suggests the hive offers something worth understanding: three bioactives with distinct and complementary mechanisms of action. This is not about replacing medical care or ignoring the real value of vitamin D supplementation for those who need it. It is about understanding what mānuka honey, propolis and bee pollen actually do, at a biochemical level, and whether the evidence supports using them as part of a considered winter wellness routine. I have managed hives in the Bay of Islands for over a decade. I know what comes out of them. Here is what the science says about three of those products in a winter context. --- ## Mānuka Honey: Starting in the Gut Immunity does not start in the bloodstream. A significant proportion of the body's immune activity is regulated in the gut, where the balance of the microbiome influences inflammatory response, pathogen resistance, and nutrient absorption. Anything that meaningfully supports gut health during winter is, indirectly, supporting immune readiness. Mānuka honey contains two gut-relevant compound classes. The first is oligosaccharides: non-digestible prebiotic carbohydrates that reach the large intestine intact and selectively feed beneficial bacteria, particularly Bifidobacterium species. A review published in Frontiers in Nutrition examined honey's prebiotic potential and found that honey oligosaccharides can alter the composition of the gut microbiome, with polyphenols in honey also shown to modulate inflammatory cytokine production.\[1\] The specific data point worth noting: in animal models of ulcerative colitis, mānuka honey administration produced significant reductions in IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, and faster ulcer healing compared to controls. The second compound class is polyphenols, including methyl syringate and leptosperin, which are specific to mānuka. These contribute antioxidant activity and support what researchers describe as immune balance, reducing the overproduction of inflammatory cytokines that characterise chronic low-grade inflammation. A separate in vitro study confirmed that mānuka honey (UMF 20+) supported the growth of probiotic species including Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium lactis, while simultaneously inhibiting the growth of pathogens including E. coli, Salmonella typhimurium, and Staphylococcus aureus.\[2\] This selective activity is what distinguishes a well-characterised prebiotic from a general antibacterial intervention. **What this means in practice:** A teaspoon of MGO-certified mānuka honey taken daily, stirred into warm (not boiling) water or eaten directly, delivers both prebiotic oligosaccharides and polyphenols to the gut. It is a genuinely useful daily habit with a low barrier to entry. Heat above approximately 40°C degrades the live enzymes and some bioactives, so avoid adding it to boiling drinks. MGO grade and winter wellness: the prebiotic activity comes from the oligosaccharides present across all genuine mānuka grades, not exclusively from high-MGO honey. Higher MGO grades such as [Tōtika MGO 1050+](https://www.totikahealth.co.nz/product-page/premium-manuka-honey-mgo-1050-umf23?ref=blog.totikahealth.co.nz) offer a richer polyphenol profile and more concentrated bioactives, but for daily prebiotic gut support, any authentically certified grade is appropriate. What matters is that it is genuinely mānuka: MPI-compliant, IANZ-tested, and traceable to a verified source. ![Totika Health NZ infographic showing how manuka honey oligosaccharides and polyphenols support gut microbiome balance and immune regulation through prebiotic activity in winter.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/31/68/31682e39-782e-406f-8831-70347df006e3/content/images/2026/05/The-Gut-Immunity-Connection2.png) --- ## Propolis: The Hive's Own Immune System Propolis is the resinous material bees collect from tree buds, bark and botanical exudates, mix with beeswax and salivary enzymes, and use to seal, sterilise and protect the hive. It is the hive's structural immune system. The chemistry is complex: over 300 compounds have been identified, including terpenes, flavonoids and phenolic acids. The specific profile varies with botanical source and geography, which is why New Zealand propolis has a distinct chemical fingerprint from Brazilian or European equivalents. The most relevant compounds for winter wellness are the flavonoids, particularly quercetin, kaempferol and pinocembrin, and caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE). These drive the antiviral and immunomodulatory activity that has attracted substantial research interest in recent years. ### The antiviral evidence A 2022 review published in PMC specifically examined propolis as an antiviral and immunomodulatory agent in respiratory diseases. The authors reviewed preclinical and clinical evidence and found that in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated propolis broad-spectrum effects on viral infectivity and replication, including against influenza viruses, adenoviruses and respiratory tract viruses. Clinical trials confirmed therapeutic potential, though the authors noted the need for larger rigorous randomised controlled trials in the context of respiratory diseases specifically.\[3\] A separate comprehensive review documented preclinical efficacy against adenoviruses, influenza viruses, respiratory tract viruses, and herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2\. The same review noted that six separate trials found propolis possessed better antiviral efficacy against herpes viruses than acyclovir, the standard antiviral pharmaceutical.\[4\] This is a striking comparison that deserves careful framing: these are preclinical and small-scale trials, not large randomised controlled studies, and propolis should not be positioned as a pharmaceutical alternative. But the direction of evidence is consistently positive and the mechanism is well characterised. ### The immune modulation mechanism Propolis does not simply suppress immune activity. It modulates it: reducing the overproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) while activating both innate and adaptive immune responses. A comprehensive review of honey bee products published in Frontiers in Nutrition found that propolis and its bioactive constituents demonstrated immunomodulatory activity affecting B and T lymphocyte activation in both preclinical and clinical settings.\[5\] This dual action, calming overactivation while supporting baseline immune readiness, is what makes propolis interesting as a daily supplement rather than an acute intervention. Winter is not just about catching colds. It is about maintaining a well-regulated immune system across months of reduced daylight, reduced vitamin D synthesis, and increased time spent in enclosed spaces with other people. For a deeper examination of the propolis science, including its biofilm-disrupting mechanisms and oral health applications, see our [dedicated propolis post](https://blog.totikahealth.co.nz/why-new-zealand-bee-propolis-deserves-a-spot-in-your-daily-health-regimen). ![Totika Health NZ infographic showing key compounds in New Zealand propolis including flavonoids and CAPE and their antiviral and immunomodulatory actions supported by peer-reviewed research.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/31/68/31682e39-782e-406f-8831-70347df006e3/content/images/2026/05/How-Propolis-Works2.png) **NZ propolis note:** The chemical composition of propolis varies significantly by geography. New Zealand propolis is collected from a distinct botanical environment including kānuka, mānuka and other native species, giving it a different flavonoid and terpene profile from South American or European equivalents. Research on Brazilian green propolis does not automatically translate to NZ propolis, and vice versa. Tōtika propolis is sourced from our Northland apiaries and is traceable to a specific botanical environment. --- ## Bee Pollen: The Nutritional Case Bee pollen is collected by forager bees from flowering plants, mixed with nectar and salivary enzymes, and packed into granules at the hive entrance. It is the primary protein source for the colony. It is also, gram for gram, one of the more nutritionally dense whole foods available. A 2021 review in Nutrients documented the compositional profile: protein at a mean of 22.7% of dry weight, containing all nine essential amino acids, including tryptophan, phenylalanine, methionine, leucine, lysine, threonine, histidine, isoleucine and valine. Carbohydrates make up approximately 30.8%, with lipids, minerals, vitamins and polyphenols comprising the remainder.\[6\] The vitamin profile includes B vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6), Vitamin C, Vitamin E and beta-carotene. Live enzymes are present in raw, unprocessed pollen but are destroyed by heat treatment. **Product page note:** Our bee pollen product page references "all 22 amino acids." The correct figure is 20 amino acids in total, of which 9 are essential. Bee pollen contains all 9 essential amino acids, which is the genuinely impressive nutritional claim. We are updating the product page to reflect this accurately. ### The evidence on immunity and antioxidant activity The immunomodulatory research on bee pollen is largely preclinical: animal models and in vitro studies rather than large human clinical trials. This is important to state clearly. A review in Antioxidants documented that bee pollen possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and immunomodulatory activities in preclinical settings, and noted that the German Federal Ministry of Health has formally recognised bee pollen as a drug.\[7\] That regulatory status reflects the seriousness with which European health authorities treat the evidence base, even while acknowledging that large human trials remain limited. The antioxidant activity is perhaps the most consistent finding across the literature. Bee pollen's flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol and their glycosides), carotenoids and vitamins C and E act synergistically as free radical scavengers, protecting cells from oxidative damage. In winter, when outdoor activity decreases and dietary variety often narrows, a concentrated whole-food source of antioxidants has straightforward nutritional logic behind it. For the immunomodulatory data specifically: polysaccharides from bee pollen have demonstrated in vitro activity against RAW 264.7 cells, downregulating TNF-α, IL-1 and IL-6 secretion. Animal studies showed improvements in immune status parameters in diabetic rat models and enhanced phagocytic capacity in rabbit granulocytes.\[6\] These are animal and cell studies; they indicate mechanism but do not confirm human clinical outcomes. We label them as such. ### The energy and vitality angle Beyond immunity, bee pollen's B vitamin content supports energy metabolism at the cellular level. B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin) and B3 (niacin) are all involved in the conversion of macronutrients to usable cellular energy. Winter fatigue is real and is driven partly by reduced light exposure, reduced activity, and the metabolic costs of immune activity. A concentrated B vitamin source that also delivers protein and antioxidants addresses several of these mechanisms simultaneously. Explore [Tōtika pure New Zealand bee pollen](https://www.totikahealth.co.nz/product-page/bee-pollen?ref=blog.totikahealth.co.nz), harvested from our Northland apiaries and packed raw at our MPI-registered facility in Kerikeri. ![Totika Health NZ infographic showing the nutritional profile of raw New Zealand bee pollen including B vitamins, vitamin C, essential amino acids and flavonoids and their relevance to winter health.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/31/68/31682e39-782e-406f-8831-70347df006e3/content/images/2026/05/Bee-Pollen-Nutritional-Profile2.png) --- ## A Practical Winter Protocol These three products are not competing with each other. They work on different mechanisms and different timescales, which makes them naturally complementary as a daily stack. | Product | Primary mechanism | How to take it | Evidence quality | | ---------------- | -------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------- | | **Mānuka honey** | Gut prebiotic, polyphenol antioxidant | 1 tsp daily, in warm water or direct | In vitro, animal, some human data | | **Propolis** | Antiviral, immune modulation | As directed on product; daily supplement | In vitro, animal, limited clinical trials | | **Bee pollen** | Nutritional density, antioxidant, B vitamins | 1 tsp granules daily, in smoothie or direct | In vitro, animal; limited human clinical data | None of these are a substitute for vitamin D supplementation if your GP has identified a deficiency. None of them replace a varied diet, adequate sleep, or regular physical activity. They are complementary inputs to a broader winter wellness approach, not a replacement for it. ![Totika Health NZ infographic comparing manuka honey, propolis and bee pollen as winter wellness supplements showing mechanisms, how to take them and evidence quality for each product.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/31/68/31682e39-782e-406f-8831-70347df006e3/content/images/2026/05/The-Three-Product-Winter-Protocol-Table2.png) --- ## Who Should Take Caution This section is not optional reading. Bee pollen in particular carries real allergic risk that must be understood before use. ### Bee pollen allergy risk Bee pollen contains plant pollen proteins that can trigger allergic reactions in sensitised individuals, including anaphylaxis. A peer-reviewed case report and literature review documented that patients with pollen allergy showed cross-reactivity with bee pollen, and that anaphylaxis cases have been reported after ingestion.\[8\] Published estimates suggest flower pollen can cause allergic reactions in up to 30% of the industrialised world's population. Skin-prick test reactivity to common airborne pollens correlates with reactivity to bee pollen in sensitised individuals. If you have known hay fever, seasonal allergies, or any history of pollen sensitivity, do not begin bee pollen supplementation without first discussing it with your GP or an allergist. Start with a very small quantity if cleared to do so, and do not take it before exercise or activities where an allergic reaction could be dangerous. ### Propolis sensitivity Propolis can cause contact dermatitis and, rarely, systemic allergic reactions in individuals sensitive to propolis components or beeswax. People with known bee product allergies should proceed with caution and medical advice. ### Pregnancy and breastfeeding Pregnant and breastfeeding women should consult their LMC or GP before adding propolis or bee pollen to their routine. The evidence base for safety in pregnancy is limited. ### Children under 12 months Honey of any kind, including mānuka honey, should not be given to children under 12 months due to the risk of infant botulism. **Important:** This article provides general health information only. It is not medical advice. If you have any concerns about allergies, existing health conditions, or medications, please consult your GP before adding any new supplement to your routine. --- ## Frequently Asked Questions Can bee pollen replace vitamin D supplements in winter? No. Bee pollen does not contain meaningful amounts of vitamin D. It supports immune readiness through a different set of mechanisms: B vitamins, antioxidants, amino acids and immunomodulatory polyphenols. If your GP has recommended vitamin D supplementation, continue it. Bee pollen works alongside that, not instead of it. Is propolis safe to take every day? For most people without bee product allergies, daily propolis supplementation is considered safe. The evidence base supports ongoing use at standard supplement doses. If you have any history of allergic reactions to bee products, honey or beeswax, consult your GP first. How much bee pollen should I take daily? Research suggests 6 to 7.5 grams daily, roughly one teaspoon of dry granules, is a reasonable supplementary amount for an adult. Start with a smaller quantity and build up over several days to assess tolerance, particularly if you have any history of pollen sensitivity. Does heat destroy the benefits of bee pollen and mānuka honey? Heat above approximately 40°C degrades live enzymes and some heat-sensitive vitamins in bee pollen and mānuka honey. Both products are best consumed raw: bee pollen taken directly or stirred into a cool smoothie, mānuka honey in warm (not boiling) water or eaten off a spoon. Cooking with either reduces bioactive content significantly. Can I take propolis if I am on medication? Propolis may interact with blood-thinning medications (anticoagulants) and some anti-inflammatory drugs. If you take any prescription medication, discuss propolis supplementation with your GP or pharmacist before starting. Hayden Lee, our Registered Pharmacist, is available for medication-specific queries. Is bee pollen safe for people with hay fever? Not necessarily. People with hay fever have a sensitised immune response to pollen proteins, and bee pollen contains those same proteins. Cross-reactivity has been documented in clinical studies and anaphylaxis cases have been reported. If you have hay fever, speak to your GP or allergist before trying bee pollen. What makes New Zealand propolis different? Propolis chemical composition depends on the botanical sources available to the bees in a given region. New Zealand bees collect resin from native species including kānuka and mānuka, producing a propolis with a distinct flavonoid and terpene profile compared to Brazilian or European propolis. Research findings on one geographic origin do not automatically transfer to another. --- ## References 1. Rao PV, Bhatt DL, Bhatt DK, Gan SH. The potential of honey as a prebiotic food to re-engineer the gut microbiome toward a healthy state. *Front Nutr.* 2022;9:957932\. doi:[10.3389/fnut.2022.957932](https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2022.957932?ref=blog.totikahealth.co.nz). PMC9367972. 2. Rosendale DI, Maddox IS, Miles MC, Rodier M, Skinner M, Sutherland J. High-throughput microbial bioassays to screen putative prebiotic candidates for the beneficial microflora that colonize the human gut. *Int J Food Microbiol.* 2008;120(1-2):120-130\. doi:[10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2007.06.013](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2007.06.013?ref=blog.totikahealth.co.nz). 3. Zabrodskiy PV, Borodavko VK, Tretyakov VE, Gromov MS. The antiviral and immunomodulatory activities of propolis: An update and future perspectives for respiratory diseases. *Evid Based Complement Alternat Med.* 2022;2022:5850552\. doi:[10.1155/2022/5850552](https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/5850552?ref=blog.totikahealth.co.nz). PMC9298305. 4. Yosri N, El-Wahed AAA, Ghonaim R et al. Anti-viral and immunomodulatory properties of propolis: Chemical diversity, pharmacological properties, preclinical and clinical applications, and in silico potential against SARS-CoV-2\. *Foods.* 2021;10(8):1776\. doi:[10.3390/foods10081776](https://doi.org/10.3390/foods10081776?ref=blog.totikahealth.co.nz). PMC8391193. 5. El-Seedi HR, Eid N, El-Wahed AAA, Rateb ME et al. Honey bee products: Preclinical and clinical studies of their anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. *Front Nutr.* 2022;8:761267\. doi:[10.3389/fnut.2021.761267](https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2021.761267?ref=blog.totikahealth.co.nz). PMC8762236. 6. Khalifa SAM, Elashal MH, Yosri N et al. Bee pollen: Current status and therapeutic potential. *Nutrients.* 2021;13(6):1876\. doi:[10.3390/nu13061876](https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13061876?ref=blog.totikahealth.co.nz). PMC8230257. 7. Bobiş O, Dezmirean DS, Moise AR et al. Bee pollen as functional food: Insights into its composition and therapeutic properties. *Antioxidants.* 2023;12(4):862\. doi:[10.3390/antiox12040862](https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox12040862?ref=blog.totikahealth.co.nz). PMC10045447. 8. Choi YS, Yang JY, Kim HJ et al. Bee pollen-induced anaphylaxis: A case report and literature review. *Allergy Asthma Immunol Res.* 2015;7(5):513-517\. doi:[10.4168/aair.2015.7.5.513](https://doi.org/10.4168/aair.2015.7.5.513?ref=blog.totikahealth.co.nz). PMC4509665. --- Dr Isaac Flitta PhD Isaac is Founder and CEO of Tōtika Health Limited, based in Kerikeri, Bay of Islands. He holds a PhD in aerospace materials engineering and an MPhil in biomedical engineering, and has been a practising beekeeper since 2013, managing over 150 hives in his early years. He is a Founding Member of Apiculture New Zealand (FM00007) and founded the Waipu Bee Club, which he led for five years. Tōtika Health produces MGO-certified mānuka honey tested by IANZ-accredited Hill Laboratories, pure New Zealand bee pollen, and a bioactive skincare range formulated with mānuka bioactives and propolis. Clinically reviewed by Kim Slemint, RN, Clinical Advisor, Tōtika Health Limited. ### Can You Get Vitamin D from the Sun Without Harming Your Skin? URL: https://blog.totikahealth.co.nz/can-you-get-vitamin-d-from-the-sun-without-harming-your-skin/ Last updated: 2026-05-08T09:43:43.000Z By Dr Isaac Flitta PhD | Clinically reviewed by Kim Slemint, RN **At a Glance** Your skin produces vitamin D when UVB rays convert 7-dehydrocholesterol in the dermis to previtamin D3\. In New Zealand, meaningful UVB exposure is available year-round in northern regions, but only for short windows before UV index reaches skin-damaging levels. A general guide: 10 to 15 minutes of midday sun on arms and legs in summer, longer in winter, then cover up or apply SPF. --- New Zealand has the highest reported melanoma incidence rate in the world. It also has summer UV that peaks 40% higher than equivalent northern hemisphere latitudes, according to NIWA research. And yet vitamin D deficiency is a real and documented problem here, because most people get most of their vitamin D from the sun. These two facts sit in uncomfortable proximity. Getting the balance right genuinely matters, and the science has become clear enough to give practical guidance. At Tōtika Health, our beekeepers work outdoors in the Bay of Islands sun year-round. [Our apiaries sit in the Northland bush](https://www.totikahealth.co.nz/our-story?ref=blog.totikahealth.co.nz), where UV intensity is among the highest in the country. Sun safety is not a theoretical topic for us. This article sets out what the peer-reviewed evidence actually says, so you can make informed decisions about your own sun exposure. ## How Your Skin Makes Vitamin D ![How Your Skin Makes Vitamin D infographic by Totika Health NZ showing five steps from UVB sunlight exposure through 7-dehydrocholesterol conversion to active calcitriol produced in the kidneys.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/31/68/31682e39-782e-406f-8831-70347df006e3/content/images/2026/05/How-Your-Skin-Makes-Vitamin-D-2.png) When sunlight reaches your skin, UVB radiation at wavelengths between 280 and 315 nanometres converts a cholesterol-derived compound called 7-dehydrocholesterol (found naturally in skin cells) into previtamin D3\. Body heat at 37°C then converts previtamin D3 into vitamin D3, which travels via the bloodstream to the liver and kidneys, where it becomes the biologically active hormone form. The infographic above illustrates all five steps of this process. Two things matter immediately. First, only UVB drives vitamin D synthesis. UVA, which makes up more than 95% of the UV radiation reaching Earth's surface, causes photoageing and immunosuppression but contributes nothing to vitamin D production. Second, UVB sufficient for vitamin D synthesis is only present when the UV Index (UVI) is 3 or above, meaning the sun must be reasonably high in the sky. In Northland at midday, this threshold is met year-round. In southern New Zealand during winter, it may not be. **Key point:** Glass blocks UVB. You cannot make vitamin D through a window, a windscreen, or a conservatory. Sitting in bright indoor sun does nothing for your vitamin D status. ## The Problem: The Same Rays That Build Vitamin D Also Damage Skin ![Totika Health NZ diagram showing vitamin D synthesis plateauing at one third of the sunburn threshold while skin DNA damage continues rising with additional UV exposure beyond that point.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/31/68/31682e39-782e-406f-8831-70347df006e3/content/images/2026/05/The-Same-Rays-That-Build-Vitamin-D-Also-Damage-Skin.png) Here is the tension at the heart of this question. The same UVB wavelengths that trigger vitamin D synthesis also cause DNA damage in skin cells, specifically a type of molecular injury called cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs). These are the lesions that initiate skin cancer when they accumulate and are not repaired. A 2016 study by Felton and colleagues, published in the *British Journal of Dermatology*, tested this directly. Participants received repeated low-level summer UV exposures broadly comparable to brief regular outdoor activity. In fair-skinned individuals, vitamin D levels rose from deficient to adequate. Concurrently, measurable DNA damage appeared in skin cells immediately after exposure. The damage was low-level and largely repaired within 24 hours, but the central finding was unambiguous: vitamin D synthesis and skin DNA damage occur simultaneously, even at sub-sunburn doses.\[1\] A 2018 study by Shih and colleagues extended this across all six Fitzpatrick skin types, from the fairest (type I) to the darkest (type VI). At fractional doses below the sunburn threshold, both vitamin D synthesis and epidermal DNA damage were detected across every skin type. The critical difference was location: in darker skin, melanin concentrated DNA damage in the superficial skin layers, protecting the deeper basal cells where most skin cancers originate. In fairer skin, damage was distributed evenly across the epidermis, including the basal layer, which explains the substantially higher skin cancer incidence in pale-skinned populations.\[2\] As the diagram above shows, vitamin D synthesis does not increase proportionally with UV dose. It reaches its maximum at roughly one-third of the minimal erythemal dose (MED). Beyond that point, additional UV exposure produces no more vitamin D. It only increases cumulative DNA damage and sunburn risk. Staying out longer does not help. It only adds harm. ## Can You Get Vitamin D Without Raising Skin Damage Risk? The honest answer: yes, with important caveats that depend on your skin type, the UV Index on the day, and how much skin you expose. The New Zealand Ministry of Health and Cancer Society's Consensus Statement on Vitamin D and Sun Exposure acknowledges this balance explicitly. For the general population, brief sun exposure is recommended for vitamin D synthesis, with emphasis on keeping it short and not intentionally sunbathing. When the UVI is 3, skin damage in fair-skinned individuals takes approximately an hour to become significant. Within that window, exposing the face, arms and legs for a few minutes is sufficient to produce meaningful vitamin D.\[4\] NIWA atmospheric radiation research provides more specific guidance for New Zealand conditions. In summer, when Northland UV can reach UVI 13 or above, a few minutes of face and hands exposure around solar noon is sufficient for vitamin D. As the UVI rises, the margin between productive exposure and sunburn risk compresses significantly, so brevity matters more at the height of summer than at any other time of year.\[5\] | UV Index | Skin Type I-II (fair, burns easily) | Skin Type III-IV (medium, tans gradually) | Skin Type V-VI (dark, rarely burns) | | ----------------- | ----------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------- | | **3** (moderate) | 5 to 10 minutes, face and arms | 10 to 15 minutes | 20 to 30 minutes or more | | **7** (high) | 2 to 5 minutes | 5 to 8 minutes | 10 to 15 minutes | | **11+** (extreme) | Less than 2 minutes | 2 to 4 minutes | 5 to 8 minutes | These are approximate exposure times for unprotected skin around solar noon. For most New Zealanders during summer, incidental daily sun exposure during a short outdoor walk is likely sufficient for vitamin D needs without any additional intentional exposure. **Practical note:** Exposing a larger area of skin for a shorter time is safer and more effective than exposing a small area for longer. Once a patch of skin has synthesised its vitamin D for that session, additional UV exposure there only adds damage without further benefit. ## How to Strike the Balance: What the Research Recommends ![Totika Health NZ infographic showing UV Index exposure times by skin type and four evidence-based tips for safe vitamin D synthesis, noting UVI below 3 is insufficient for synthesis.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/31/68/31682e39-782e-406f-8831-70347df006e3/content/images/2026/05/How-to-Strike-the-BalanceWhat-the-Research-Recommends2.png) The following guidance reflects the NZ Ministry of Health Consensus Statement, NIWA research, and the published peer-reviewed evidence. It is general information only. If you have personal risk factors for skin cancer or known concerns about your vitamin D status, please speak with your GP before changing your sun exposure habits. ### Time your exposure around the UV Index The Ministry of Health recommends outdoor activity in the early morning or late afternoon during summer, when the UVI is substantially lower than at midday. In early morning or after 3pm in Northland during summer, you have a more comfortable window for outdoor activity before sunburn risk becomes significant. Check the MetService UV forecast before outdoor time on high-sun days. ### Expose enough skin area to matter More skin area means more vitamin D synthesised, up to a biological maximum. Face, arms and legs uncovered is substantially more productive than face and hands alone. In winter, covering up is natural and necessary, which means vitamin D production from sunlight alone may be insufficient during the colder months. Dietary sources (oily fish, eggs, fortified foods) and supplementation can fill the gap; your GP can advise on whether supplementation is appropriate for you. ### Stop before the sun damage accumulates Once you have had your brief productive window (5 to 15 minutes depending on conditions and skin type), additional exposure adds no more vitamin D. Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen, put on a hat and shirt, or move into shade. This is not about avoiding sun entirely. It is about being precise rather than casual about the time you spend unprotected. ### Know your UV Index before going outside The MetService UV forecast provides daily UV Index data across New Zealand. At UVI 11 or above, which occurs on clear summer days in Northland, vitamin D exposure for a fair-skinned person takes less than two minutes. There is almost no window where staying outside unprotected longer becomes beneficial. This is the UV environment Northland residents live with from October through to March, and it demands respect. ## Does Sunscreen Block Vitamin D Synthesis? ![Totika Health NZ infographic comparing lab conditions versus real-world sunscreen use, showing a 2019 international expert review found no meaningful impact on vitamin D synthesis from regular sunscreen use.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/31/68/31682e39-782e-406f-8831-70347df006e3/content/images/2026/05/Does-Sunscreen-Block-Vitamin-D-Synthesis.png) This is one of the most commonly asked questions, and the short answer is: probably not meaningfully, in the real world. In laboratory conditions, sunscreen applied at full recommended thickness does significantly reduce UVB transmission and impairs vitamin D synthesis in artificial UV exposure testing. But real-world use tells a different story. In 2019, Passeron and colleagues published a comprehensive review by an international panel of 13 experts spanning endocrinology, dermatology, photobiology, epidemiology and biological anthropology. Their conclusion after reviewing all available evidence was that sunscreen use for daily and recreational photoprotection does not meaningfully compromise vitamin D synthesis under real-world conditions.\[3\] The gap between theory and practice has a simple explanation: people rarely apply sunscreen at the full 2mg per square centimetre thickness used in controlled testing. Coverage is uneven. Many people accumulate some sun exposure before applying sunscreen, or before it takes full effect. Two Australian randomised controlled trials found no significant difference in vitamin D levels between consistent sunscreen users and non-users across an entire summer season. The practical position: regular use of broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen for skin cancer prevention does not put your vitamin D status at meaningful risk. You should still use sunscreen whenever you are in high UV conditions beyond your brief productive window, and particularly during peak UV hours in summer. ## The New Zealand Context: Why This Matters Here New Zealand sits at a latitude range from approximately 35 to 47 degrees south, but the UV environment here is significantly more intense than northern hemisphere equivalents. NIWA measurements show that summer peak UV in New Zealand runs 40% higher than at corresponding latitudes in the northern hemisphere, due primarily to lower levels of stratospheric ozone over the southern hemisphere and lower aerosol pollution in the atmosphere.\[5\] New Zealand also has the highest reported melanoma incidence rate in the world, and skin cancer is the most common cancer in New Zealand, with an estimated 50,000 or more new cases annually. A significant proportion of the New Zealand population has fair skin types (Fitzpatrick I and II) that burn easily and carry elevated skin cancer risk. The risk here is genuinely high, which is why the Ministry of Health and Cancer Society's guidance is so cautious, and rightly so.\[4\] For most New Zealanders during summer, incidental daily exposure during ordinary outdoor activity, a walk to the car, time in the garden, a lunch break outside, is likely sufficient for vitamin D without any additional intentional sun time. The risk is not that people get too little sun. The risk is that casual, prolonged, unprotected exposure accumulates over years without people realising the damage is building. ## Who Should Not Rely on Sun Exposure for Vitamin D For some people, intentional sun exposure for vitamin D is not appropriate. These include people with a personal or family history of melanoma or non-melanoma skin cancer, organ transplant recipients (who carry substantially elevated skin cancer risk due to immunosuppression), those taking photosensitising medications, and people with diagnosed photosensitivity conditions. For all of these groups, dietary sources and supplementation after discussion with a GP are the preferred route. Older adults generally synthesise vitamin D less efficiently because concentrations of 7-dehydrocholesterol in the skin decline with age, and the kidneys become less able to convert vitamin D to its fully active form after around 50 years of age. This contributes to the higher prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in older populations even in relatively sunny climates. People with darker skin (Fitzpatrick types V and VI) require substantially longer sun exposure for equivalent vitamin D synthesis than fair-skinned individuals, due to melanin's protective attenuation of UVB. For darker-skinned New Zealanders who spend most of their time indoors, or who live in southern New Zealand during winter, maintaining adequate vitamin D from sunlight alone may not be possible without very extended outdoor time, and supplementation is worth discussing with a GP. **Important:** This article provides general health information only. It is not medical advice. If you have concerns about your vitamin D status, your skin cancer risk, or any related health condition, please consult your GP or a registered healthcare provider. ## Supporting Your Skin After Sun Exposure Even brief, sub-erythemal UV exposure generates mild oxidative stress and a low-level inflammatory response in the skin. The skin barrier is subtly compromised after outdoor time in high-UV conditions, and the skin requires recovery time and support. Tōtika Health's bioactive skincare range, formulated by Sara Samavati using certified mānuka honey bioactives and propolis extract, is designed to support skin barrier function and maintain hydration after exposure to environmental stressors, including UV. Building a simple post-outdoor skincare routine around barrier-supporting, bioactive moisturisation is a straightforward habit that complements sensible sun management. [Explore Tōtika's bioactive skincare range.](https://www.totikahealth.co.nz/our-skincare?ref=blog.totikahealth.co.nz) --- ## Frequently Asked Questions Can I get vitamin D through a window? No. Standard glass blocks UVB radiation entirely. UVA passes through glass and causes photoageing, but it does not drive vitamin D synthesis. Sitting in a sunny room or conservatory does nothing for your vitamin D status. Does sunscreen stop me making vitamin D? Probably not significantly, in real-world use. Multiple studies and a major international expert consensus review have found no meaningful reduction in vitamin D levels among regular sunscreen users compared to non-users. You should still use broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen for skin cancer prevention during extended outdoor time. How long do I need in the sun to get enough vitamin D? It depends on your skin type, the UV Index, and how much skin is exposed. For fair-skinned New Zealanders in summer, five to fifteen minutes of face, arms and legs exposure is typically sufficient. Darker skin types require longer. Check the daily UV forecast and adjust accordingly. You cannot produce more vitamin D by staying out longer once the synthesis plateau is reached. What time of day is best for vitamin D from the sun? UVB levels are highest around solar noon, roughly 12 to 1pm in New Zealand standard time. This is when vitamin D synthesis is most efficient, but also when sunburn risk is highest. Keep midday exposures very brief. Early morning and late afternoon expose you to lower UVI, so you need more time outside for equivalent vitamin D, but with a more forgiving margin before sunburn risk becomes significant. Can I get enough vitamin D in a New Zealand winter? In Northland and much of the North Island, the UV Index generally stays above 2 to 3 at midday even in winter, so some vitamin D synthesis is possible year-round. In southern New Zealand, midday winter UV can fall below the synthesis threshold. If you are concerned about your levels, ask your GP about testing and supplementation. Does cloud cover affect vitamin D synthesis? Yes, cloud reduces UV significantly, by roughly 20 to 70% depending on coverage and cloud type. A heavily overcast winter day in New Zealand is unlikely to produce meaningful vitamin D synthesis even with extended exposure outdoors. Thin or partial cloud has a smaller effect than most people assume, because UV scatters through broken cloud cover. If I have darker skin, do I need more sun exposure for vitamin D? Yes. Higher melanin content reduces UVB penetration to the deeper skin layers where vitamin D synthesis occurs, meaning more exposure time is required for equivalent vitamin D production. The beneficial trade-off is that melanin also provides more basal cell protection during that longer exposure window. Darker-skinned individuals living at higher latitudes or spending most of their time indoors are at greater risk of vitamin D deficiency and should discuss supplementation with their GP. --- ## References 1. Felton SJ, Cooke MS, Kift R, Berry JL, Webb AR, Lam PMW, de Gruijl FR, Vail A, Rhodes LE. Concurrent beneficial (vitamin D production) and hazardous (cutaneous DNA damage) impact of repeated low-level summer sunlight exposures. *Br J Dermatol.* 2016;175(6):1320-1328\. doi:[10.1111/bjd.14863](https://doi.org/10.1111/bjd.14863?ref=blog.totikahealth.co.nz). PMID: 27411377 2. Shih BB, Farrar MD, Cooke MS, Osman J, Langton AK, Kift R, Webb AR, Berry JL, Watson REB, Vail A, de Gruijl FR, Rhodes LE. Fractional sunburn threshold UVR doses generate equivalent vitamin D and DNA damage in skin types I-VI but with epidermal DNA damage gradient correlated to skin darkness. *J Invest Dermatol.* 2018;138(10):2112-2121\. doi:[10.1016/j.jid.2018.04.015](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jid.2018.04.015?ref=blog.totikahealth.co.nz). PMC6158343. 3. Passeron T, Bouillon R, Callender V et al. Sunscreen photoprotection and vitamin D status. *Br J Dermatol.* 2019;181(5):916-931\. doi:[10.1111/bjd.17992](https://doi.org/10.1111/bjd.17992?ref=blog.totikahealth.co.nz). PMC6899926. 4. Ministry of Health and Cancer Society of New Zealand. Consensus Statement on Vitamin D and Sun Exposure in New Zealand. Wellington: Ministry of Health; 2012\. Available at: [health.govt.nz](https://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/2012-03/vitamind-sun-exposure.pdf?ref=blog.totikahealth.co.nz) 5. McKenzie R, NIWA. Balancing risks and benefits of UV radiation. *Water and Atmosphere (NIWA).* 2009;17(1). Available at: [niwa.co.nz](https://niwa.co.nz/water-atmosphere/vol17-no1-march-2009/balancing-risks-and-benefits-uv-radiation?ref=blog.totikahealth.co.nz) 6. Holick MF. Sunlight and vitamin D: a global perspective for health. *Dermatoendocrinol.* 2013;5(1):51-108\. doi:[10.4161/derm.24494](https://doi.org/10.4161/derm.24494?ref=blog.totikahealth.co.nz). PMC3897598. --- Dr Isaac Flitta PhD Isaac is Founder and CEO of Tōtika Health Limited, based in Kerikeri, Bay of Islands. He holds a PhD in aerospace materials engineering and an MPhil in biomedical engineering, and has been a practising beekeeper since 2013, managing over 150 hives in his early years. He is a Founding Member of Apiculture New Zealand (FM00007) and founded the Waipu Bee Club, which he led for five years. Tōtika Health produces MGO-certified mānuka honey tested by IANZ-accredited Hill Laboratories, and a bioactive skincare range formulated with mānuka bioactives. Clinically reviewed by Kim Slemint, RN, Clinical Advisor, Tōtika Health Limited. ### New Zealand Bee Propolis in Skincare: What the Science Actually Shows URL: https://blog.totikahealth.co.nz/new-zealand-bee-propolis-in-skincare-what-the-science-actually-shows/ Last updated: 2026-05-08T09:44:26.000Z **By Sara Samavati** & **Dr Isaac Flitta, PhD** | Tōtika Health | Bay of Islands, New Zealand Published April 2026 | Category: Skincare / Wellbeing **At a Glance** New Zealand bee propolis is a resinous compound rich in flavonoids and polyphenols with documented antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. In skincare, clinical research supports its use for acne-prone, reactive, and compromised skin. Tōtika sources propolis from the same Bay of Islands hives as its mānuka honey, giving it a distinct bioactive profile shaped by New Zealand's unique flora. --- There is a pattern I see consistently when people come to propolis skincare for the first time. They have heard of it, roughly associate it with bees and honey, and are uncertain whether it is a meaningful ingredient or a trend dressed up in scientific language. Propolis is neither of those things. It is one of the most chemically complex, clinically studied natural substances in the world, with a track record in therapeutic applications stretching back to ancient Greece and Rome. In skincare specifically, the peer-reviewed research of the last decade has identified mechanisms of action that are directly relevant to the most common skin concerns: inflammation, barrier dysfunction, oxidative damage, and microbial imbalance. This article explains what propolis actually is, why New Zealand propolis has a bioactive profile that makes geographic origin a meaningful variable, and what the current evidence shows about how it functions in a skincare formulation. It is not a product guide. It is a science guide, and the distinction matters. --- ## What Propolis Actually Is ![Raw New Zealand bee propolis resin on dark basalt stone with white mānuka blossom and beeswax honeycomb, Bay of Islands](https://storage.ghost.io/c/31/68/31682e39-782e-406f-8831-70347df006e3/content/images/2026/04/Raw-propolis-on-basalt--m--nuka-blossom.png) Raw propolis harvested from Tōtika Health hives, Bay of Islands, New Zealand. Propolis is a resinous compound produced by *Apis mellifera* honey bees. Bees collect resins and sap from tree buds, bark, and botanical sources, then process them with their salivary enzymes and beeswax to produce the sticky material they use to seal their hives, fill structural gaps, and maintain an antimicrobial environment within the colony. The word propolis is Greek in origin: *pro* (before or in defence of) and *polis* (city), a direct description of its function as the hive’s biological defence system. It is worth dwelling on that function. A beehive is a warm, humid environment housing tens of thousands of organisms. Without a potent antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory defence, it would be a microbial disaster. Propolis is the mechanism that prevents this. Its effectiveness in that role, refined over millions of years of evolutionary pressure, is directly related to why it has therapeutic relevance for human skin. Propolis is not honey, though the two are often mentioned together. They are produced by different processes, from different raw materials, and have different bioactive profiles. They are, however, genuinely complementary. High-grade mānuka honey and New Zealand bee propolis together address the inflammatory, antimicrobial, and barrier repair functions of skin through overlapping but distinct mechanisms. If you would like to understand how the two work together in the context of inflammatory skin conditions, the clinical detail is in our article on [treating skin rashes and eczema with MGO mānuka honey](https://blog.totikahealth.co.nz/how-to-treat-skin-rashes-eczema-manuka-honey/). This article focuses on propolis as an ingredient in its own right. --- ## The Chemistry: Why New Zealand Propolis Has a Distinct Profile ![Honey bee foraging on white mānuka blossom in native New Zealand bush, Bay of Islands, Northland](https://storage.ghost.io/c/31/68/31682e39-782e-406f-8831-70347df006e3/content/images/2026/04/Totika-Health-manuka-Honey.jpg) A Tōtika Health bee foraging on mānuka (*Leptospermum scoparium*) blossom, Bay of Islands. The botanical source determines the bioactive profile of the propolis produced. The bioactive composition of propolis is determined almost entirely by its botanical source. Different flora produce different resin compounds, and different geographic environments produce those compounds at different concentrations and ratios. This is not a footnote: it is the central fact about propolis quality, and it is why geographic origin matters. New Zealand propolis produced by *Apis mellifera* bees foraging on native flora, including mānuka (*Leptospermum scoparium*), kānuka (*Kunzea ericoides*), kawakawa (*Piper excelsum*), and kōhūhū (*Pittosporum tenuifolium*), has a documented bioactive profile that differs meaningfully from propolis produced elsewhere. Research characterising New Zealand propolis from Northland and other regions has identified a complex volatile compound profile reflecting the diversity of native resin sources available to bees in this environment \[1\]. In areas of dense native forest, a distinct diterpenoid chemical profile emerges alongside the typical flavonoid compounds, giving New Zealand propolis bioactivity patterns associated with both compound classes \[2\]. Studies comparing propolis samples from multiple geographic origins have found that New Zealand propolis carries among the highest total concentrations of flavonoids of any propolis source measured, including pinocembrin, galangin, chrysin, and pinobanksin \[3\]. It also carries significant concentrations of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), a phenolic compound that has been extensively studied for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. New Zealand’s high ultraviolet intensity drives elevated concentrations of photoprotective compounds in the plants that bees collect from, further differentiating the local propolis profile from Northern Hemisphere equivalents. ### Key Compounds and Their Skin-Relevant Properties | Compound | Class | Primary Mechanism in Skin | | -------------------------------------- | ---------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | CAPE (Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester) | Phenolic ester | Modulates inflammatory NF-kB pathway; broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity | | Pinocembrin | Dihydroflavonoid | Antimicrobial and antioxidant; dominant flavonoid in NZ propolis | | Galangin | Flavonoid | Inhibits COX enzymes driving prostaglandin-mediated inflammation | | Chrysin | Flavone | Free radical scavenging; emerging evidence for skin barrier support | | Phenolic acids (caffeic, ferulic) | Phenolic acids | Antioxidant capacity; support collagen synthesis | | Diterpenoids (NZ native flora-derived) | Terpenes | Antioxidant; antibacterial; superoxide inhibitory activity | --- ## Four Mechanisms That Matter for Skin ### 1\. Anti-inflammatory Action Chronic low-grade inflammation underlies most persistent skin concerns: eczema, acne, rosacea, hyperpigmentation, premature ageing, and barrier dysfunction. Propolis flavonoids and CAPE suppress inflammation through multiple pathways simultaneously: inhibiting COX enzymes, blocking NF-kB activation, and reducing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines including TNF-alpha, IL-1β, and IL-6. A comprehensive 2022 review in *Molecules*, analysing over 100 studies on propolis anti-inflammatory activity, confirmed that propolis operates across multiple inflammatory signalling pathways simultaneously, providing a broad-spectrum effect that single-molecule pharmaceutical anti-inflammatories cannot replicate \[4\]. This multi-pathway action is significant: it means propolis is less likely to suppress one inflammatory signal while others persist, a known limitation of narrow-spectrum agents. ### 2\. Antimicrobial Protection Propolis demonstrates antimicrobial activity against a wide range of organisms relevant to skin health: *Staphylococcus aureus* (the primary pathogen in eczema flares and wound infection), *Propionibacterium acnes* (a key driver of acne), various *Candida* species relevant to fungal skin conditions, and several antibiotic-resistant organisms. The mechanism is multi-modal: propolis compounds disrupt bacterial cell membranes, inhibit bacterial enzyme systems, and interfere with biofilm formation. Because the antimicrobial action comes from a complex of compounds rather than a single agent, propolis does not create the selective pressure associated with topical antibiotic use. This is directly relevant to the growing concern about topical antibiotic resistance in dermatology practice. ### 3\. Antioxidant Defence Free radical damage accumulates in skin through UV exposure, pollution, metabolic activity, and the inflammatory cascade itself. Unchecked oxidative stress degrades collagen, disrupts cell membranes, triggers pigmentation irregularities, and accelerates the visible signs of ageing. Propolis flavonoids, particularly galangin and chrysin, are potent free radical scavengers. A 2024 clinical study published in the *Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology* assessed a standardised phenolic acid polymer extract (PAPE) from propolis in a double-blind, randomised, controlled trial in participants aged 30 to 70\. After 28 days of application, the propolis extract demonstrated measurable anti-wrinkle efficacy alongside effects on key skin health biomarkers in dermal fibroblasts and keratinocytes, including antioxidant markers \[5\]. This is clinical evidence in an actual skincare application context, not extrapolation from cell culture data. ### 4\. Barrier Repair and Cellular Regeneration The skin barrier is a stratified structure of lipids and proteins whose integrity determines whether skin retains moisture and excludes irritants. When compromised, repair requires the active migration and proliferation of keratinocytes across the damaged area, a process called re-epithelialisation. Propolis supports this process directly. A 2023 systematic review and meta-analysis in *Archives of Dermatological Research*, analysing evidence across multiple clinical and in vitro studies, concluded that propolis demonstrates significant wound-healing efficacy through both antimicrobial and regenerative mechanisms, including promotion of re-epithelialisation and stimulation of skin regeneration \[6\]. A 2024 review in the same journal, examining propolis-based wound dressing materials across burns, ulcers, and skin tears, confirmed its adhesive and haemostatic properties alongside anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity \[7\]. The skin does not distinguish mechanically between a clinical wound and a compromised barrier in eczema or a post-inflammatory area from acne. The repair processes engaged are the same. Propolis’s documented support for those processes is relevant across a broader range of skin concerns than wound care research alone suggests. --- ![Hand holding Tōtika Health Bee Propolis dropper bottle with amber propolis drop falling, white mānuka blossoms on basalt stone, Bay of Islands New Zealand](https://storage.ghost.io/c/31/68/31682e39-782e-406f-8831-70347df006e3/content/images/2026/04/image-6Morning-Routine.jpg) Tōtika Bee Propolis, 15 ml. New Zealand bee propolis extract, Bay of Islands hives. ## What the Research Means in a Formulation Context Understanding the research is one thing. Understanding what it means for an actual skincare product requires a different set of questions. Extraction method matters. The bioactive compounds in propolis are not uniformly extractable. CAPE and flavonoids require specific extraction conditions to be preserved at meaningful concentrations. Propolis as a raw material contains wax, resins, and plant debris that are not appropriate for skin application. A quality skincare formulation uses a purified propolis extract with the bioactive fractions standardised and preserved, not raw propolis incorporated directly. Concentration matters. Propolis extracts in skincare range from trace quantities included for label appeal to functionally relevant concentrations that deliver the mechanisms described in the research. A product with “propolis extract” positioned near the bottom of its ingredient list is not delivering the same thing as a formulation built around a defined extract at a meaningful level. The botanical source of the propolis used in a formulation matters: as the research above shows, New Zealand propolis from native-flora-foraging bees has a distinct bioactive profile that cannot be assumed from a generic propolis source. The Tōtika [bioactive skincare range](https://www.totikahealth.co.nz/our-skincare?ref=blog.totikahealth.co.nz) uses New Zealand bee propolis from the same [Bay of Islands hives](https://www.totikahealth.co.nz/our-story?ref=blog.totikahealth.co.nz) that produce our certified mānuka honey. Geographic origin is not a marketing detail. It determines what is actually in the jar. On the combination of propolis and MGO mānuka honey: the [honey](https://www.totikahealth.co.nz/category/active-manuka-honey?ref=blog.totikahealth.co.nz) addresses microbial triggers and moisture deficit; propolis provides antioxidant defence and structural repair support. Together they act on the inflammatory cascade at multiple points simultaneously. This is the scientific rationale for combining both in a single formulation, not a marketing convenience. --- ## Who Benefits from Propolis in Skincare Propolis suits a broader range of skin types and concerns than its reputation as a “sensitive skin ingredient” might suggest. - **Sensitive and reactive skin:** the anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties address external triggers that drive ongoing reactivity, rather than simply masking symptoms with calming agents. - **Acne-prone skin:** antimicrobial activity against *P. acnes*, without the drying effect or resistance risk of topical antibiotics, combined with anti-inflammatory action on the post-inflammatory redness and pigmentation that follows breakouts. - **Mature skin:** the antioxidant profile addresses accumulated free radical damage underlying many visible ageing signs; the collagen-supporting phenolic compounds add a further dimension to a routine that targets structural skin health. - **Post-procedure or healing skin:** the barrier repair and re-epithelialisation support documented in wound healing research is directly relevant to skin recovering from dermal procedures, laser treatments, or any compromise to the barrier. One caution is appropriate. Anyone with a known allergy to bee products, including bee venom, honey, or pollen, should patch-test propolis-containing products before use and consult a healthcare professional if in any doubt. Propolis is a complex natural substance and, like many plant-derived ingredients, can cause contact sensitisation in a small proportion of individuals. --- ![Tōtika Health infographic: New Zealand Bee Propolis in Skincare — key actions, evidence snapshot, skin types, and quality markers](https://storage.ghost.io/c/31/68/31682e39-782e-406f-8831-70347df006e3/content/images/2026/04/Propolis-skincare-nfograph2-1.png) Save and share — full science article above. --- ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Is propolis the same as honey? No. Honey and propolis are produced by bees from different raw materials through different processes. Honey is produced from nectar; propolis is produced from plant resins and sap. Both are bioactive, but their compound profiles and mechanisms of action differ significantly. They are complementary rather than interchangeable, which is why both appear in the Tōtika skincare formulations. ### Can propolis skincare replace prescribed treatments for skin conditions? No. Bioactive skincare is designed as a supportive skincare protocol, not a replacement for prescribed medical treatment. If you are under the care of a dermatologist or GP for a diagnosed skin condition, discuss any additions to your routine with them. The ingredients in the Tōtika range have no known interactions with standard topical treatments including corticosteroids or calcineurin inhibitors. ### How do I know if a skincare product contains enough propolis to be effective? The ingredient list is the starting point. Where a brand uses a standardised propolis extract with a defined CAPE or flavonoid content, this is a better indicator of quality than the position of “propolis extract” on the list alone. Formulation context also matters: propolis paired with complementary actives, such as ceramides and hyaluronic acid, delivers more than propolis in an otherwise inert base. ### Is New Zealand propolis genuinely different from propolis from other countries? Yes, measurably so. Studies comparing propolis from multiple geographic origins demonstrate that New Zealand propolis carries among the highest concentrations of CAPE and total flavonoids of any source measured. The native New Zealand flora, particularly mānuka, kānuka, and other endemic species, produces resin compounds not found in Northern Hemisphere botanical sources. Research published in 2025 further characterised propolis from New Zealand native forest, identifying diterpenoid compounds in addition to the typical flavonoid profile, giving this propolis a distinct bioactive fingerprint \[2\]. Geographic origin is a meaningful quality variable. ### Does propolis interact with other skincare ingredients? Propolis extracts are generally compatible with the key skincare actives: ceramides, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and vitamin C. At high concentrations of vitamin C, there is potential for some colour development in formulations containing both, since both are polyphenol-rich, but this is a formulation stability consideration rather than a safety concern. Avoid combining propolis with products that contain high concentrations of oxidising agents, as these can degrade the flavonoid content. --- **Medical Disclosure:** The information in this article is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have a diagnosed skin condition, consult your GP or dermatologist before adding new products to your routine. If you have a known allergy to bee products, including honey or propolis, do not use products containing these ingredients without medical guidance. --- ## References ### Peer-reviewed research 1. Faber G, Collins S, Ruedenauer F, et al. Characterisation of New Zealand propolis from different regions based on its volatile organic compounds. *PubMed Central*. 2024\. PMC11243487\. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11243487/ 2. Manley Harris M, Grainger MNC, Peters LM, McNeil STTR. Composition and bioactivity of propolis derived from New Zealand native forest. *ScienceDirect*. 2025\. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5012020 3. Kumazawa S, Hamasaka T, Nakayama T. Antioxidant activity of propolis of various geographic origins. *Food Chemistry*. 2004;84(3):329–339\. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0308-8146(03)00216-4 4. Zulhendri F, Lesmana R, Tandean S, et al. Recent update on the anti-inflammatory activities of propolis. *Molecules*. 2022;27(23):8473\. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27238473 5. Radić J, et al. Anti-wrinkle efficacy of standardized phenolic acids polymer extract (PAPE) from propolis: Implications for antiaging and skin health. *Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology*. 2024;23:3372–3381\. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.16405 6. Velho JCM, França TA, Malagutti-Ferreira MJ, et al. Use of propolis for skin wound healing: systematic review and meta-analysis. *Archives of Dermatological Research*. 2023;315(4):943–955\. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-022-02455-8 7. El-Sakhawy M, Salama A, Tohamy HAS. Applications of propolis-based materials in wound healing. *Archives of Dermatological Research*. 2024;316:61\. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-023-02789-x **Sara Samavati** is Director of Skincare Solutions at Tōtika Health Limited. She holds a Master’s in Animal Husbandry and Organic Skincare Formulation, and leads the formulation and development of the Tōtika [bioactive skincare range](https://www.totikahealth.co.nz/our-skincare?ref=blog.totikahealth.co.nz). **Dr Isaac Flitta, PhD** is the Founder and CEO of Tōtika Health Limited, based in the Bay of Islands, Northland, New Zealand. PhD in aerospace materials science, Founding Member FM00007 of the New Zealand Apiculture Industry Body. Author of *Bee’s Guide to Honey* (forthcoming). [totikahealth.co.nz](https://www.totikahealth.co.nz/?ref=blog.totikahealth.co.nz) | [blog.totikahealth.co.nz](https://blog.totikahealth.co.nz/) ### Mānuka Honey vs Regular Honey: The Science Behind the Price URL: https://blog.totikahealth.co.nz/manuka-honey-vs-regular-honey/ Last updated: 2026-05-08T09:49:06.000Z By **Dr Isaac Flitta** | 17 February 2026 | 10 min read **At a Glance** Mānuka honey from New Zealand contains methylglyoxal at concentrations up to 20 times higher than regular honey, giving it antibacterial activity that persists after heat and light exposure. Regular honey relies primarily on hydrogen peroxide, which degrades quickly. The MGO rating tells you exactly how much active compound is present — a chemical precision no other honey grading system matches. --- **Note:** This article is educational in nature and explains the science of mānuka honey composition. It does not constitute medical advice. If you have a health condition, please consult your GP or a registered healthcare professional before making dietary changes. Walk into any supermarket in New Zealand, Japan, or London and you will find two products on the same shelf, both labelled "honey", separated by a price difference that can exceed 2,000 per cent. One jar is amber, runny, and costs a few dollars. The other is darker, denser, and costs more than most restaurant meals. The obvious question is whether the price is justified by science, or whether it is simply the product of marketing. I have been working with mānuka honey since 2013, when I first began as a design consultant for a beekeeper, designing an eco beehive. What started as a design project became something else entirely. I went on to manage over 150 hives across Northland in the early years, founded and ran the Waipu Bee Club for five years, became a Founding Member of Apiculture New Zealand (FM00007), and eventually built Tōtika Health, exporting certified mānuka honey to the United States, Canada, Japan, China, the Middle East, and multiple European markets. I hold a PhD in Aerospace Materials and an MPhil in Biomedical Engineering. I approach honey the same way I approach any engineered material: by examining what is happening at the molecular level, not at the label level. The answer to the price question is not simple. It depends on what you are measuring, what you intend to use the honey for, and whether the jar in your hand contains what the label claims. This article covers all three. --- ## What Regular Honey Is and What It Does Well Regular honey is not a simple product. Raw, minimally processed honey from a responsible beekeeper contains enzymes, amino acids, minerals, flavonoids, and a complex carbohydrate profile. It has genuine antibacterial properties, largely attributable to the production of hydrogen peroxide. When bees convert nectar into honey, an enzyme called glucose oxidase catalyses the slow oxidation of glucose, releasing hydrogen peroxide as a by-product. This peroxide activity gives all raw honey mild antimicrobial characteristics, which is why it was used medicinally long before antibiotics existed. The important word there is "mild." Hydrogen peroxide activity in honey is real, but fragile. It is significantly degraded by heat, ultraviolet light, and by the catalase enzyme naturally present in human tissue and wound fluid. This means that when standard honey is applied to a wound or consumed and absorbed, its primary antibacterial mechanism begins to degrade almost immediately. Pasteurised supermarket honey, which has been heated to extend shelf life and prevent crystallisation, loses even more of this activity during processing. Regular honey is also multifloral, meaning bees gather nectar from many different plant species depending on what is available. The resulting honey varies significantly in flavour, colour, sugar profile, and bioactive content from batch to batch and season to season. This is not a flaw; it is simply the nature of the product. For general sweetening, cooking, and everyday use, high-quality raw regular honey is a genuinely good choice, and significantly cheaper for applications where potency does not matter. --- ## The Chemistry That Makes Mānuka Different Mānuka honey is produced by bees that forage primarily on the flowers of *Leptospermum scoparium*, a native New Zealand tree commonly known as the mānuka or tea tree. The flowers are small, white (occasionally pink or red), and bloom for only two to six weeks each year. This short window and the remote, often mountainous terrain where mānuka grows are the first reasons the honey is expensive to produce. But the price difference is not primarily logistical. It is chemical. The nectar of *Leptospermum scoparium* contains an unusual organic compound called dihydroxyacetone, or DHA. Inside the hive, as bees process this nectar into honey and it matures, DHA undergoes a spontaneous chemical conversion, transforming into methylglyoxal, abbreviated as MGO. This reaction continues during the storage and ageing of the honey, which is why freshly extracted mānuka honey may have a lower MGO reading than the same batch tested six months later. Methylglyoxal is the compound that sets mānuka honey apart. In a landmark 2008 study, Professor Thomas Henle of the Technical University of Dresden and colleagues identified and quantified methylglyoxal as the dominant antibacterial constituent of mānuka honey, explaining the non-peroxide activity that researchers had observed for decades without being able to identify its source \[1\]. Unlike hydrogen peroxide, methylglyoxal is chemically stable. It does not degrade with heat, light, or exposure to wound fluid. Its antibacterial mechanism operates independently of the peroxide pathway. A 2022 study published in *PLOS ONE* by Green, Lawag, Locher, and Hammer examined 29 commercial mānuka and Leptospermum honey samples from Australia and New Zealand and found a strong correlation between MGO content and antibacterial activity measured across multiple bacterial species and multiple methods \[2\]. For a deeper explanation of how MGO forms, how it is measured, and what our IANZ-accredited batch results show across grades, see our [complete MGO science guide](https://blog.totikahealth.co.nz/what-is-mgo-in-manuka-honey/). Regular honey contains essentially no methylglyoxal in meaningful concentrations. The DHA precursor is either absent or present only in trace amounts in non-Leptospermum nectars. This is not a quality deficit in regular honey; it is simply a chemical difference between plant species. ![Tōtika MGO 1050+ mānuka honey jar on Hill Laboratories Certificate of Analysis in an IANZ-accredited testing laboratory, New Zealand.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/31/68/31682e39-782e-406f-8831-70347df006e3/content/images/2026/04/Totika-MGO-1050--m--nuka-honey-jar-on-Hill-Laboratories-Certificate.png) Tōtika MGO 1050+ batch tested at R J Hill Laboratories, Hamilton. Lab No. 3951021, August 2025\. MGO 936 mg/kg, DHA 2,740 mg/kg, MPI Monofloral classification. --- ## Leptosperin: the Authenticity Marker That Cannot Be Faked Alongside MGO and DHA, authentic mānuka honey contains another compound called leptosperin (formally: methyl syringate-3-*O*\-glucoside), a naturally occurring phenolic glycoside derived exclusively from mānuka nectar. Leptosperin cannot be synthesised at a cost that would make adulteration commercially viable, and its presence at defined threshold levels is used by New Zealand's Ministry for Primary Industries as one of the five required attributes for certification as monofloral mānuka honey. This matters significantly when you are evaluating what you are buying. Methylglyoxal, as the fraud cases discussed below show, can be added synthetically to low-grade or non-mānuka honey. Leptosperin cannot be replicated economically, which is why it was incorporated into the MPI testing protocol specifically as a fraud deterrent. When leptosperin is present alongside appropriate MGO, DHA, and DNA test results, the honey is genuinely from mānuka nectar. --- ## The MPI Five-Attribute Test: What "Certified" Actually Means New Zealand's Ministry for Primary Industries introduced a mandatory scientific definition for mānuka honey in 2018, applying to all honey exported from New Zealand as mānuka. The standard requires any claimed mānuka honey to pass five separate tests before it can be legally exported under that name. Four of the five tests are chemical: the honey must contain minimum threshold levels of methylglyoxal, DHA, leptosperin (3-PLA), and hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF, a freshness indicator). The fifth test is a DNA analysis, confirming that the pollen present in the honey is consistent with Leptospermum scoparium, establishing floral origin at the biological level. A honey passing all five attributes at monofloral thresholds is certified monofloral mānuka. A honey passing some but not all attributes may be classified as multifloral mānuka, indicating a genuine but lower-purity product. A honey failing these tests cannot be exported from New Zealand as mānuka honey under any grade. As a Founding Member of Apiculture New Zealand (FM00007), I have been part of an industry body whose primary mandate has been bee health and welfare across New Zealand's apiaries, and which represents and advocates for beekeepers at a national level. That experience, working within an industry where hive health directly determines the chemical consistency of what the bees produce, is inseparable from understanding why rigorous testing protocols like the MPI standard exist and why they matter for buyers. Every jar of Tōtika honey is independently tested by an IANZ-accredited laboratory before it leaves our facility. --- ## The Comparison: What You Are Actually Buying at Each Price Point | Honey Type | Peroxide Activity | MGO (Non-Peroxide) | Leptosperin Present | MPI Certified | Primary Use | | ------------------------ | -------------------------- | ------------------------------ | ------------------------ | ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ | | **Regular raw honey** | ✓ Present (heat-sensitive) | ✗ Negligible | ✗ No | ✗ No | General sweetening, cooking, everyday wellness | | **Multifloral mānuka** | ✓ Present | ✓ Low to moderate | ✓ Yes (partial MPI pass) | Partial | Entry-level mānuka; general daily use | | **Monofloral MGO 250+** | ✓ Present | ✓ Moderate (min. 250 mg/kg) | ✓ Yes | ✓ Full monofloral | Daily wellness, gut health support, mild skincare | | **Monofloral MGO 850+** | ✓ Present | ✓ High (min. 850 mg/kg) | ✓ Yes (elevated) | ✓ Full monofloral | Targeted wellness, bioactive skincare formulation | | **Monofloral MGO 1050+** | ✓ Present | ✓ Very high (min. 1,050 mg/kg) | ✓ Yes (highest) | ✓ Full monofloral | Maximum potency; specific clinical and skincare applications | The table makes one thing plain: the difference between regular honey and certified monofloral mānuka is not a matter of degree along the same scale. MGO is simply absent in one and present in the other. The comparison is between two chemically different products that happen to share the same category name. ![Two wooden honey dippers over white ceramic bowls comparing thick dark crystallised manuka honey with thin pale regular honey, natural light.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/31/68/31682e39-782e-406f-8831-70347df006e3/content/images/size/w1000/2026/04/Two-wooden-honey-dippers-over-white-ceramic-bowls..png) The viscosity and colour difference between high-MGO mānuka honey (left) and standard multifloral honey (right) is visible to the naked eye. --- ## Why the Price Reflects the Production Reality Having managed over 150 hives in the early years of Tōtika, and having scaled to the point of exporting to ten countries across four continents, I can explain the production economics from direct experience rather than theory. Mānuka flowers bloom for two to six weeks each year. That is the entire harvest window. If the weather is poor during those weeks, the bees do not forage, the nectar flow is disrupted, and the season's yield drops regardless of how many hives you have positioned. Beekeepers often use helicopters to move hives into dense native bushland to maximise the bloom period, an operational cost that does not exist in multifloral honey production. After extraction, every batch of mānuka honey intended for export must be submitted for IANZ-accredited laboratory testing. At Tōtika, we test every batch and retain the certificates with batch numbers that can be cited publicly. MPI registration, FDA registration (our number is 16798813536), EU TRACES compliance, China GACC compliance, and the documentation requirements for the Japanese and Middle Eastern markets all represent ongoing regulatory cost that does not exist for domestic regular honey production. A certified monofloral mānuka honey at MGO 500+ is expensive to produce because it requires a specific plant species with a narrow bloom window, in specific remote terrain, tested per batch by accredited laboratories, and exported under government-mandated documentation. If a product at that grade is priced the same as supermarket clover honey, the explanation is almost certainly not generosity. Browse our [full range by MGO grade](https://www.totikahealth.co.nz/category/active-manuka-honey?ref=blog.totikahealth.co.nz), with verified batch test data alongside each product. --- ## How to Spot a Fake: the Authentication Guide Honey adulteration is one of the more serious food fraud problems globally. In 2016, honey was identified as the third most-faked food product in the world. New Zealand's production of certified mānuka honey has never come close to matching global claimed sales volume, meaning a substantial proportion of what is sold internationally as mānuka honey either does not originate from mānuka blossom or has been diluted or adulterated. New Zealand's MPI took this seriously enough to prosecute. In a landmark fraud case, an Auckland honey exporter was fined $372,500 after admitting to adding synthetic methylglyoxal and dihydroxyacetone to non-mānuka and low-grade mānuka honey to make it appear as high-grade certified product. The affected honey, approximately 14.5 tonnes of it, was recalled from markets including the USA, China, Hong Kong, Korea, and Australia \[6\]. For a buyer, the practical authentication checklist is this: look for a certifiable MGO reading backed by IANZ or equivalent accredited laboratory documentation; look for evidence of MPI compliance on the label or the producer's website; confirm the honey is packed in New Zealand; and treat any price that seems implausibly low for the stated grade as a warning, not a bargain. **On MGO and authenticity:** The MGO number on a certified jar represents the result of an IANZ-accredited laboratory test performed on that specific batch. It is not a marketing claim. At Tōtika Health, our batch certificates are available on request and cite specific Hill Laboratories certificate numbers, so any buyer, retailer, or regulator can trace the data to its source. --- ## The Honest Answer to the Price Question Is mānuka honey worth the premium over regular honey? The answer depends entirely on what you intend to use it for. For general sweetening, cooking, and adding to tea: a good-quality raw regular honey is an entirely rational choice. There is no scientific argument for using MGO 1050+ mānuka honey in baking. The heat degrades the very compounds you are paying for, and the flavour profile of high-MGO mānuka is distinctive and not universally suited to culinary applications. For daily wellness, gut support, and a nutritionally richer alternative to refined sugar: an MGO 250+ monofloral mānuka honey offers a meaningful and evidence-supported upgrade over both regular honey and processed sweeteners. You are getting certified, traceable, stable bioactivity that regular honey cannot provide. For targeted applications: persistent skin concerns, supporting the body during illness, or formulating into bioactive skincare products, MGO 500+ and above is where the research-supported differentiation becomes most significant. The antibacterial stability of MGO at those concentrations is the specific property that makes high-grade mānuka a different category of ingredient. The engineering principle I have applied since my materials science days is straightforward: use the right material for the application. A jar of certified MGO 1050+ mānuka honey is genuinely one of the most potent naturally occurring antibacterial substances available without a prescription. Used for the right purpose, it is not expensive. Used as a casual spread on toast every morning, it is simply over-specified. Both honey types have their place. The important thing is understanding which place that is. --- ## Frequently Asked Questions What is the actual difference between mānuka honey and regular honey? The core chemical difference is methylglyoxal (MGO). Regular honey derives its mild antibacterial properties from hydrogen peroxide, an unstable compound that degrades with heat and enzyme exposure. Mānuka honey contains MGO, a chemically stable antibacterial compound unique to the nectar of *Leptospermum scoparium*. This stability is what makes mānuka functionally different, not just more expensive. What does MGO mean on a mānuka honey label? MGO stands for methylglyoxal. The number represents milligrams of methylglyoxal per kilogram of honey, measured by an accredited laboratory. MGO 500+ means the honey contains a minimum of 500 mg of methylglyoxal per kilogram. Higher numbers indicate greater antibacterial potency. The reading must be backed by a laboratory certificate from an IANZ-accredited facility to be meaningful. Is all mānuka honey the same? No. Mānuka honey spans a wide spectrum from multifloral (partial certification) through to monofloral MGO 1050+ (full certification, highest potency). The MGO level matters because it reflects the actual concentration of the bioactive compound in the jar. Buying mānuka honey without a verified MGO reading is buying a label rather than a chemistry. Why is some "mānuka honey" cheap when the real product is expensive? Adulteration and mislabelling are well-documented problems in the global honey market. New Zealand produces a fraction of the volume sold internationally as mānuka honey. Honey passed off as mānuka may be regular honey with synthetic MGO added, diluted genuine mānuka, or low-grade product mislabelled at a higher grade. The NZ MPI has prosecuted adulteration cases, including a landmark $372,500 fine for synthetic MGO addition. If a price seems implausible for the stated grade, treat it as a red flag rather than a deal. How do I know my mānuka honey is genuine? Look for an MPI-compliant label (packed in New Zealand, producer registration visible), an independent IANZ-accredited laboratory certificate with a specific batch number and MGO reading, and a price consistent with the stated grade. At Tōtika, every batch has a named Hill Laboratories certificate available on request. Is regular honey bad for you? No. High-quality raw regular honey is a nutritious, versatile food with genuine wellness properties. The comparison with mānuka honey is not about one being harmful and the other beneficial. It is about different applications requiring different chemistry. For most everyday uses, good raw local honey is entirely appropriate. Which MGO level should I choose? For daily general wellness: MGO 250 to 400 is a good entry point. For more targeted support: MGO 500 to 850\. For bioactive skincare formulation or specific high-potency applications: MGO 850 to 1050+. Our [full range by grade](https://www.totikahealth.co.nz/category/active-manuka-honey?ref=blog.totikahealth.co.nz) gives you the options with verified test results behind each. --- Dr Isaac Flitta PhD | MPhil Biomedical | Founder and CEO, Tōtika Health Limited Isaac began working with bees in 2013 as a design consultant, designing an eco beehive — a project that led him to manage over 150 hives across Northland in the early years of Tōtika. He founded and ran the Waipu Bee Club for five years, is a Founding Member of Apiculture New Zealand (FM00007), and has led design programmes in New Zealand and the UK. He holds a PhD in Aerospace Materials and an MPhil in Biomedical Engineering, and applies the same rigour to honey chemistry that he once applied to aerospace-grade materials. Tōtika now exports certified mānuka honey to the USA, Canada, Japan, China, the Middle East, and across Europe. **Reviewed by:** Kim Slemint, RN, Clinical Advisor, Tōtika Health. Kim reviews all health-related claims in Tōtika's published content to ensure accuracy, appropriate framing, and alignment with responsible consumer health communication. --- ## References 1. Mavric, E., Wittmann, S., Barth, G., and Henle, T. (2008). Identification and quantification of methylglyoxal as the dominant antibacterial constituent of manuka honey from New Zealand. *Molecular Nutrition and Food Research*, 52(4), 483-489\. https://doi.org/10.1002/mnfr.200700282 2. Green, K. J., Lawag, I. L., Locher, C., and Hammer, K. A. (2022). Correlation of the antibacterial activity of commercial manuka and Leptospermum honeys from Australia and New Zealand with methylglyoxal content and other physicochemical characteristics. *PLOS ONE*, 17(7), e0272376\. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0272376 3. Hegazi, N. M., Elghani, G. E. A., and Farag, M. A. (2022). The super-food manuka honey, a comprehensive review of its analysis and authenticity approaches. *Journal of Food Science and Technology*, 59(7), 2527-2534\. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-021-05181-7 4. Almasaudi, S. (2021). The antibacterial activities of honey. *Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences*, 28(4), 2188-2196\. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sjbs.2020.10.017 5. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology (2024). Manuka honey as a non-antibiotic alternative against Staphylococcus spp. and their small colony variant phenotypes. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2024.1380289 6. Ministry for Primary Industries, New Zealand (2021). Fines totalling $372,500 imposed in landmark mānuka honey fraud case. Official media release. https://www.mpi.govt.nz ### How to Treat Skin Rashes and Eczema with MGO Mānuka Honey URL: https://blog.totikahealth.co.nz/how-to-treat-skin-rashes-eczema-manuka-honey/ Last updated: 2026-05-08T09:52:11.000Z **By Sara Samavati** & **Dr Isaac Flitta, PhD** | Tōtika Health | Bay of Islands, New Zealand Updated April 2026 | First published December 2025 | Category: Skincare / Wellbeing **At a Glance** High-MGO manuka honey has demonstrated antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity that may help calm persistent skin rashes, eczema flares, and minor infections. MGO 500 and above is typically used in topical applications. Chronic or worsening skin conditions should always be reviewed by a dermatologist or GP before starting any new topical treatment. --- Persistent skin rashes are exhausting in a way that is difficult to explain to someone who has not experienced them. Not just physically, but psychologically: the constant awareness of irritated skin, the failed products, the cycle of improvement and relapse. If you have had a stress rash, an eczema flare-up, or a summer irritation that simply refuses to resolve, this article is for you. We are going to explain what is actually happening in your skin when it reacts this way, why conventional approaches often make the problem worse before they make it better, and what the peer-reviewed evidence shows about MGO Mānuka honey and New Zealand bee propolis as active therapeutic ingredients for inflammatory skin conditions. This is not a product pitch. It is an explanation of mechanisms, supported by clinical research and illustrated by real customer outcomes. --- ## What Is Actually Happening When Your Skin Reacts Skin rashes, whether triggered by stress, heat, environmental allergens, or compromised immunity, share a common underlying mechanism: a disrupted skin barrier combined with an inflammatory response that the body cannot efficiently resolve on its own. The skin barrier is a stratified structure whose outermost layer, the stratum corneum, acts as both a physical shield and a regulated membrane. When this layer is compromised, whether by mechanical damage, chemical exposure, dry air, stress hormones, or microbial imbalance, two things happen simultaneously. First, water escapes through the disrupted surface (transepidermal water loss), drying the skin from the inside. Second, irritants and bacteria gain access to deeper skin layers, triggering an inflammatory cascade \[1\]. Eczema (atopic dermatitis) follows the same pattern but with the additional complication of immune dysregulation: the skin mounts an exaggerated inflammatory response to triggers that a non-atopic person would tolerate without symptoms. The itch-scratch cycle then causes further mechanical damage to the barrier, perpetuating the condition \[2\]. Conventional treatments, particularly topical corticosteroids, suppress inflammation effectively in the short term but do not address the underlying barrier dysfunction. Prolonged use thins the skin and can impair the barrier further. The search for agents that both reduce inflammation and actively repair barrier structure is where MGO Mānuka honey and bee propolis become genuinely relevant. --- ## How MGO Mānuka Honey Works on Reactive Skin Mānuka honey from New Zealand’s *Leptospermum scoparium* plant has a well-documented profile of bioactive properties that are directly relevant to inflammatory skin conditions. The primary active compound, methylglyoxal (MGO), distinguishes it from conventional honey through four distinct mechanisms of action. ### 1\. Antimicrobial Activity Against Skin Pathogens MGO 800+ provides measurable antibacterial activity against *Staphylococcus aureus*, the bacterium most commonly associated with secondary skin infections in eczema and compromised skin barriers. In atopic dermatitis, *S. aureus* colonisation is strongly linked to flare severity: the bacterium releases toxins that act as superantigens, amplifying the inflammatory response \[3\]. By inhibiting bacterial growth without the resistance concerns associated with topical antibiotics, high-grade Mānuka honey addresses a root trigger of many persistent skin conditions. A 2020 systematic review published in *Antibiotics* confirmed the clinical significance of Mānuka honey against antibiotic-resistant organisms, including methicillin-resistant *S. aureus* (MRSA), concluding that the evidence supports its use in clinical skin infection management \[4\]. ### 2\. Anti-inflammatory Action High-grade Mānuka honey has been shown to inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines including TNF-alpha and interleukins associated with chronic skin inflammation. A clinical study published in *Immunity, Inflammation and Disease* applied Mānuka honey to atopic dermatitis lesions in 14 adult patients for seven consecutive nights. Participants saw a statistically significant two-point improvement in Three Item Severity (TIS) scores on the treated side, compared to no significant improvement on the untreated control side. The researchers also observed down-regulation of CCL26 (a chemokine elevated in atopic dermatitis) and reduced mast cell degranulation in honey-treated tissue \[5\]. This is not a marginal effect. A two-point TIS improvement in seven days, in a controlled clinical setting, is meaningful data. ### 3\. Barrier Repair and Moisture Retention As a natural humectant, Mānuka honey draws and retains moisture in the epidermis, directly counteracting transepidermal water loss. Its low water activity and high osmolarity create a moist wound environment that supports tissue regeneration and autolytic debridement without the occlusive heaviness of petroleum-based products \[6\]. ### 4\. Low pH Environment Mānuka honey maintains a pH of approximately 3.2 to 4.5\. This acidic environment inhibits bacterial growth, promotes enzyme activity involved in tissue repair, and is consistent with the naturally acidic pH of healthy intact skin (approximately 4.5 to 5.5). A compromised skin barrier typically shows elevated pH, and restoring an acidic surface microenvironment supports barrier function recovery \[7\]. --- ## How New Zealand Bee Propolis Complements the Honey Bee propolis is a resinous compound collected by *Apis mellifera* honey bees from tree buds and bark, mixed with beeswax and bee enzymes. New Zealand propolis has a distinct flavonoid and polyphenol profile that gives it a well-documented antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action \[8\]. ### Antioxidant Protection Oxidative stress is a central driver of chronic skin inflammation. Free radicals generated by UV exposure, pollution, and the inflammatory cascade itself damage skin cell membranes and accelerate barrier deterioration. Propolis flavonoids neutralise free radicals before they can amplify the inflammatory cycle. A 2022 review published in *Molecules* confirmed the anti-inflammatory activity of propolis across multiple biochemical pathways, including inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-kB) signalling: the same pathways targeted by pharmaceutical anti-inflammatory agents \[9\]. ### Barrier Support and Cellular Regeneration Propolis supports skin barrier function by promoting keratinocyte migration and proliferation, the process by which the skin surface renews itself. A 2022 systematic review and meta-analysis published in *Archives of Dermatological Research* analysed the evidence for propolis in skin wound healing across multiple clinical and in vitro studies, concluding that propolis demonstrates significant wound-healing efficacy through both antimicrobial and regenerative mechanisms \[10\]. ### The Combination Effect When MGO Mānuka honey and New Zealand bee propolis are combined in a single formulation, the therapeutic profile becomes more comprehensive than either ingredient alone. The honey addresses the bacterial trigger and moisture deficit; the propolis provides antioxidant defence and structural repair support. Together, they act on the inflammatory cascade at multiple points simultaneously, which is precisely why this combination is the foundation of the Tōtika bioactive skincare range. --- ## What the Evidence Looks Like in Practice: Real Customer Outcomes Clinical research establishes biological plausibility. Real-world outcomes demonstrate whether that plausibility translates into skin you can see and feel. The following cases are from verified Tōtika Health customers. ### Stress Rash: Resolved in Under One Week A customer presented with a persistent stress and summer rash on her knee that had not responded to conventional treatments over two months. After one week of applying the Tōtika [Magic Serum](https://www.totikahealth.co.nz/product-page/magic-serum?ref=blog.totikahealth.co.nz), she photographed the results and shared them: “Sara, I struggle with stress rashes, summer rashes and they always drive me crazy. I’ve had one on my knee for two months and was only getting worse. I bought your magic serum last week at your product launch, took a photo of it before I started using it and THESE ARE THE RESULTS!!!! MAGIC SERUM!!! Thank you so much!” Verified Tōtika Health customer, 2025 The photographic evidence showed a visible transformation from active inflammation and persistent irritation to a healed, calm skin surface in less than seven days. This outcome is consistent with the clinical evidence: Mānuka honey’s antimicrobial action addressing any bacterial component, combined with propolis’s anti-inflammatory effect, resolving the inflammatory cycle rapidly. ### Eczema and Chronic Skin Sensitivity “I have very sensitive skin and find it hard to get effective products. I suffer from eczema and when I have a flare up I dab some eye cream on the area and it clears up in no time. I have some sun damage on my neck and I can see this becoming less and less as I continue to use these products.” Kay M., verified Tōtika Health customer The use of the Eye Cream off-label on eczema flare-ups reflects a pattern we see consistently: the MGO Mānuka honey and propolis combination works on the underlying inflammatory mechanism regardless of where on the body it is applied. The additional observation of improving sun damage is consistent with propolis’s antioxidant action on photodamage at the cellular level. ### Sun Damage and Dry Skin “Have been using the Magic Serum on my chest area where I have a couple of dry sun damaged areas. Am surprised and delighted to see them disappearing, first losing the dryness and then going completely!” Gillian Miller, verified Tōtika Health customer, January 2026 --- ## How to Use MGO Mānuka Honey Skincare for Skin Rashes and Eczema A few practical points based on both the clinical evidence and consistent customer feedback. - **Apply to clean, slightly damp skin.** The humectant properties of Mānuka honey work more effectively when there is some surface moisture to draw into the epidermis. Pat skin dry rather than rubbing it, and apply the serum or cream while skin is still slightly damp. - **Use consistently for at least seven days before assessing results.** The clinical evidence shows meaningful improvement in seven days of consistent use. Sporadic application will not achieve the same outcome. - **Do not combine with harsh chemical exfoliants during a flare-up.** AHAs and BHAs are appropriate for maintenance but will exacerbate an active inflammatory episode. Allow the barrier to stabilise first. - **For active eczema flare-ups, apply a thin layer directly to the affected area.** There is no need for a thick application: the bioactive compounds are effective in small quantities. - **For chronic eczema-prone skin, use as a daily morning routine step.** The antimicrobial action of MGO 800+ helps maintain a skin surface environment that is less hospitable to the *S. aureus* colonisation that drives many eczema flares. A note on MGO grade in skincare: the evidence base for topical Mānuka honey in skin conditions points consistently toward MGO 800+ as the threshold for meaningful bioactivity in a skincare application. Lower grades deliver some benefit; high-grade formulations deliver the mechanisms described in this article. Tōtika Health’s skincare range uses MGO 823+ as the formulation foundation. --- ### Tōtika Health Bioactive Skincare Range Formulated with MGO 823+ certified Mānuka honey and New Zealand bee propolis. Pharmacist validated. Bay of Islands sourced. [View the Skincare Range](https://www.totikahealth.co.nz/our-skincare?ref=blog.totikahealth.co.nz) --- ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Is Mānuka honey safe to use directly on eczema skin? Yes, when properly formulated. Raw honey applied directly to skin can be sticky and uncomfortable, and the osmotic effect can be excessive on severely broken skin. A formulated product that incorporates MGO Mānuka honey at the correct concentration alongside supporting ingredients delivers the therapeutic benefit without the application issues. If you have a known allergy to bee products, consult a healthcare professional before use. ### How does MGO Mānuka honey differ from regular honey in skincare? The difference is the non-peroxide antibacterial activity from methylglyoxal. Conventional honey has antibacterial properties from hydrogen peroxide, which is unstable and degrades rapidly on skin. MGO is chemically stable and maintains its activity at the skin surface. This is the mechanism that makes high-grade Mānuka honey therapeutically distinct, not just a cosmetic ingredient. ### Can I use Mānuka honey skincare alongside prescribed eczema treatments? The bioactive skincare range is designed as a complementary skincare protocol, not as a replacement for prescribed medical treatment. If you are under the care of a dermatologist or GP for eczema, discuss any new skincare additions with them. The ingredients in the Tōtika range have no known interactions with topical corticosteroids or topical calcineurin inhibitors. ### Why is New Zealand bee propolis specifically used? New Zealand propolis, produced by *Apis mellifera* bees foraging on native flora including mānuka and kānuka, has a distinct flavonoid profile compared to propolis from other geographic origins. The specific botanical environment determines the polyphenol composition, which determines the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Tōtika Health uses New Zealand propolis precisely because its composition is consistent with the therapeutic profile described in the research cited in this article. ### How long before I see results? The clinical evidence for Mānuka honey on atopic dermatitis shows statistically significant improvement in TIS scores after seven consecutive days of application. Customer outcomes with the Tōtika range are consistent with this timeline, with some individuals seeing visible improvement in three to five days. Chronic eczema-prone skin typically requires consistent daily use over several weeks for sustained improvement. --- **Medical Disclosure:** The information in this article is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have a diagnosed skin condition, consult your GP or dermatologist before adding new products to your routine. If you have a known allergy to bee products, including honey or propolis, do not use products containing these ingredients without medical guidance. --- ## References ### Peer-reviewed research 1. Rajkumar J, Chandan N, Lio P, Shi V. The Skin Barrier and Moisturization: Function, Disruption, and Mechanisms of Repair. *Skin Pharmacol Physiol.* 2023;36(4):174-185\. https://doi.org/10.1159/000534136 2. Weidinger S, Beck LA, Bieber T, Kabashima K, Irvine AD. Atopic dermatitis. *Nature Reviews Disease Primers.* 2018;4(1):1\. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41572-018-0001-z 3. Johnston M, McBride M, Dahiya D, Owusu-Apenten R, Nigam PS. Antibacterial activity of Manuka honey and its components: An overview. *AIMS Microbiology.* 2018;4(4):655-664\. https://doi.org/10.3934/microbiol.2018.4.655 4. Nolan VC, Harrison J, Wright JEE, Cox JAG. Clinical Significance of Manuka and Medical-Grade Honey for Antibiotic-Resistant Infections: A Systematic Review. *Antibiotics.* 2020;9(11):766\. https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics9110766 5. Alangari AA, Morris K, Lwaleed BA, et al. Honey is potentially effective in the treatment of atopic dermatitis: Clinical and mechanistic studies. *Immunity, Inflammation and Disease.* 2017;5(2):190-199\. https://doi.org/10.1002/iid3.153 6. Molan PC, Rhodes T. Honey: A biologic wound dressing. *Wounds.* 2015;27(6):141-151. 7. Lambers H, Piessens S, Bloem A, Pronk H, Finkel P. Natural skin surface pH is on average below 5, which is beneficial for its resident flora. *International Journal of Cosmetic Science.* 2006;28(5):359-370\. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-2494.2006.00344.x 8. Bankova V, Popova M, Trusheva B. New emerging fields of application of propolis. *Macedonian Journal of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering.* 2016;35(1):1-11\. https://doi.org/10.20450/mjcce.2016.864 9. Zulhendri F, Lesmana R, Tandean S, et al. Recent update on the anti-inflammatory activities of propolis. *Molecules.* 2022;27(23):8473\. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27238473 10. Velho JCM, França TA, Malagutti-Ferreira MJ, et al. Use of propolis for skin wound healing: Systematic review and meta-analysis. *Archives of Dermatological Research.* 2022;315:943-955\. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-022-02344-y **Sara Samavati** is Director of Skincare Solutions at Tōtika Health Limited. She holds a Master’s in Animal Husbandry and Organic Skincare Formulation, and leads formulation and development of the Tōtika [bioactive skincare range](https://www.totikahealth.co.nz/category/skincare?ref=blog.totikahealth.co.nz). **Dr Isaac Flitta, PhD** is the Founder and CEO of Tōtika Health Limited, based in the Bay of Islands, Northland, New Zealand. PhD in aerospace materials science, Founding Member FM00007 of the New Zealand Apiculture Industry Body. Author of *Bee’s Guide to Honey* (forthcoming). [totikahealth.co.nz](https://www.totikahealth.co.nz/?ref=blog.totikahealth.co.nz) | [blog.totikahealth.co.nz](https://blog.totikahealth.co.nz/) ### Why New Zealand Bee Propolis Deserves a Spot in Your Daily Health Regimen URL: https://blog.totikahealth.co.nz/new-zealand-bee-propolis-health-benefits/ Last updated: 2026-05-08T09:54:41.000Z By **Dr Isaac Flitta** and **Sara Samavati** | 20 May 2025 | 11 min read **At a Glance** High-MGO manuka honey has demonstrated antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity that may help calm persistent skin rashes, eczema flares, and minor infections. MGO 500 and above is typically used in topical applications. Chronic or worsening skin conditions should always be reviewed by a dermatologist or GP before starting any new topical treatment. --- **Note:** This article is educational and explains the science of bee propolis composition and its studied properties. It does not constitute medical advice. If you take prescription medication, are pregnant, have a bee product allergy, or have any health condition, please consult your GP or a registered healthcare professional before using propolis supplements. Most people who keep bees know propolis as the substance that glues everything together. It seals gaps, coats surfaces, and makes hive inspections genuinely difficult. When you work with enough hives, as I have across Northland since 2013, you develop an appreciation for what propolis actually is: not a structural convenience, but the hive's primary immune defence system. The bees do not collect it once and leave it. They actively manage it, applying it to every surface the colony depends on, and producing more when the colony is under threat. That biological function is the starting point for understanding why propolis has attracted serious scientific attention as a human health supplement. This article covers what the research actually shows, what makes New Zealand propolis chemically distinctive, how propolis and mānuka honey work differently and complementarily, and the contraindications every informed user should know before starting a daily propolis regimen. --- ## What Propolis Is and Where It Comes From Propolis is not honey and it is not beeswax. It is a resinous composite that bees produce by collecting sap and resin exudates from tree buds and bark, which they then mix with their own enzymes and beeswax inside the hive. The result is a sticky, dark material with a complex and highly variable bioactive profile that reflects the specific botanical sources the bees foraged from. In New Zealand, honeybees forage on a diverse range of native and introduced plants. Where hives have access principally to native flora, particularly native species of the Leptospermum and Kunzea genera (which include mānuka and kānuka), the resulting propolis develops a compound profile that differs significantly from propolis produced in regions dominated by Northern Hemisphere flora. Research published in 2025 by Manley-Harris and colleagues at the University of Waikato characterised propolis produced in areas of dense native New Zealand forest, finding a compound profile dominated by diterpenoids rather than the flavonoids typical of poplar-type propolis, with the compounds isocupressic acid, manool, and ferruginol among those identified \[1\]. These diterpenoid-rich samples showed good antioxidant activity and inhibition of both methicillin-resistant and methicillin-sensitive *Staphylococcus aureus* in laboratory testing \[1\]. At Tōtika, our hives sit in the Bay of Islands, surrounded by native bush including both mānuka and kānuka. The propolis our bees produce reflects that botanical environment directly. Geographic origin is not a marketing claim in the context of propolis: it is a determinant of chemical composition, which is a determinant of bioactivity. A 2024 study from Massey University characterising New Zealand propolis from multiple regions found considerable variation in volatile organic compound profiles across sampling sites, consistent with the influence of local flora \[2\]. Earlier comparative research using 46 New Zealand propolis samples found that New Zealand propolis generally contained higher total phenolic and flavonoid content and higher antioxidant activity than comparable overseas samples, and contained higher concentrations of the flavonoid galangin than international samples in the comparison \[3\]. --- ## The Key Bioactive Compounds and Their Roles The biological properties attributed to propolis are not produced by a single compound. They arise from a complex mixture working in concert. The main categories of bioactive constituents are: ### Flavonoids Flavonoids, including pinocembrin, galangin, chrysin, and quercetin, are the most extensively studied components of propolis. They are powerful antioxidants, meaning they neutralise reactive oxygen species that contribute to cellular damage and chronic inflammation. They also exhibit direct antimicrobial activity against a broad range of pathogens and anti-inflammatory effects through inhibition of specific inflammatory signalling pathways \[4\]. ### Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester (CAPE) CAPE is among the most intensively researched propolis compounds. It is found at notably high concentrations in New Zealand propolis, particularly in samples from native-flora-rich environments. CAPE has been shown in laboratory research to modulate inflammatory responses through inhibition of NF-κB signalling pathways, inhibit microbial growth through multiple mechanisms, and demonstrate antioxidant activity through reduction of reactive oxygen species production \[4\]. It is important to note that the majority of CAPE research has been conducted in vitro or in animal models. Human clinical evidence specific to CAPE remains limited. ### Phenolic Acids and Terpenes Phenolic acids including caffeic acid and coumaric acid contribute additional antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Terpenes, including the diterpenoids characteristic of New Zealand native-flora propolis, add further antibacterial and anti-inflammatory dimensions to the overall compound profile \[1\]. The interaction between these compound classes is important. Research suggests that the combined effect of multiple flavonoid compounds is more potent against viral and bacterial targets than any single compound in isolation, which is one reason why standardised extracts of full-spectrum propolis tend to produce stronger results in studies than isolated single-compound preparations \[4\]. --- ## What the Evidence Shows for Human Health Propolis has been studied across a wide range of health applications. The quality and strength of evidence varies significantly between application areas. Below is an honest summary of where the research sits, with study types clearly labelled. ### Immune Modulation and Respiratory Health Propolis is not simply an immune stimulant. The more accurate characterisation, supported by both in vitro and human clinical evidence, is that it acts as an immunomodulator: it can both activate immune responses when needed and regulate excessive inflammation \[5\]. A 2021 randomised controlled trial found that a standardised propolis extract reduced the risk of upper respiratory infection by 31 per cent compared to placebo when taken daily during cold and flu season. The mechanism involves stimulation of macrophage activity, enhancement of natural killer cell function, and modulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines including TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 \[5\]. A systematic review and meta-analysis published in Frontiers in Nutrition in 2025, analysing randomised controlled trials, found that propolis supplementation significantly decreased markers of inflammation and oxidative stress, including C-reactive protein (CRP) and TNF-α, in adult subjects \[6\]. The authors noted that effects on oxidative stress markers were more pronounced at doses at or above 1,000 mg per day in the studies analysed \[6\]. ### Oral Health This is one of the most consistently supported application areas in propolis research. Multiple randomised controlled trials have examined propolis in the context of oral bacterial control, gingivitis, and periodontal health. A 2021 double-blind randomised trial found propolis mouthwash to be effective in reducing clinical periodontal parameters in patients with gingivitis \[cited in review, 4\]. The mechanism is straightforward: the broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity of propolis flavonoids inhibits oral pathogenic bacteria including *Streptococcus mutans*, the primary driver of dental caries, and *Porphyromonas gingivalis*, a key periodontal pathogen. ### Antioxidant Protection Free radical production is a normal consequence of cellular metabolism, but chronic oxidative stress, where free radical production consistently exceeds the body's antioxidant capacity, is implicated in the progression of cardiovascular disease, metabolic conditions, and accelerated cellular ageing. Propolis flavonoids are potent free radical scavengers. The 2025 meta-analysis confirmed that propolis supplementation significantly increased total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and glutathione levels in subjects, alongside reductions in malondialdehyde (MDA), a marker of oxidative stress-related cellular damage \[6\]. ### Gut Microbiome This is an emerging area of propolis research rather than a well-established one. In vitro and some animal studies suggest that propolis bioactives can selectively inhibit pathogenic bacteria while supporting the survival of beneficial gut flora species. The anti-inflammatory properties relevant to gut health include inhibition of NF-κB pathways that contribute to intestinal inflammation \[5\]. Human clinical trials in this specific area remain limited and this application should be considered preliminary. --- ## How Propolis and Mānuka Honey Work Differently Propolis and mānuka honey are often described together, and for good reason: they come from the same hive environment and they act on similar biological targets through different mechanisms. But they are not interchangeable. Mānuka honey's primary bioactive is methylglyoxal (MGO), a chemically stable antibacterial compound that works through direct antimicrobial action, osmotic dehydration of bacterial cells, and disruption of bacterial cell membranes. MGO is produced through a non-enzymatic conversion from dihydroxyacetone (DHA) in the nectar of *Leptospermum scoparium*. It is quantifiable, certifiable, and directly proportional to antibacterial potency. For a deeper explanation of how MGO works and how it is measured, see our [complete MGO science guide](https://blog.totikahealth.co.nz/what-is-mgo-in-manuka-honey/). Propolis does not contain MGO. Its antimicrobial activity comes from a different set of mechanisms: flavonoid-mediated disruption of bacterial cell walls and membranes, inhibition of bacterial enzyme systems, and antiviral activity through interference with viral replication at the cell entry stage. Its immune-modulating effects operate through cytokine signalling pathways that MGO does not directly address. The case for combining them rests on this complementarity. Mānuka honey provides stable, quantifiable, direct-contact antibacterial potency. Propolis provides broader-spectrum antimicrobial coverage including antiviral and antifungal activity, plus immunomodulatory and antioxidant properties that operate systemically. They address overlapping but distinct biological targets. Neither replaces the other. ![Mānuka blossom stems with white flowers and dark seed capsules on dark basalt beside raw propolis chunks, Bay of Islands native bush background, New Zealand.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/31/68/31682e39-782e-406f-8831-70347df006e3/content/images/2026/04/Raw-New-Zealand-bee-propolis-resin-chunks-in-dark-amber.jpg) Mānuka blossoms from Tōtika's Bay of Islands hives. The resin bees collect from these flowers and native bush species is the botanical source of New Zealand propolis. --- ## Forms, Bioavailability, and What to Look for in a Product Propolis is commercially available in several forms, each with different practical characteristics: | Form | How It Is Taken | Key Consideration | Best Suited For | | ----------------------------- | ------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------ | --------------------------------- | | **Liquid extract / tincture** | Drops in water or direct | Fastest absorption; ethanol base may not suit all | Daily immune support; sore throat | | **Capsules / softgels** | Swallowed with water | Convenient; slower release; easier for precise amounts | Daily supplementation routine | | **Raw propolis** | Chewed directly | Highly variable potency; difficult to standardise | Direct oral contact applications | | **Spray** | Applied to throat | Direct local delivery; limited systemic effect | Acute throat irritation; oral use | The most important quality indicator for any propolis product is independent laboratory testing confirming total flavonoid content. Without this, you cannot know whether a product contains meaningful levels of the bioactive compounds the research is built on. A product that lists "propolis" without a flavonoid or CAPE content measure is making no verifiable quality commitment. This is analogous to a mānuka honey labelled without an MGO reading: the word alone tells you nothing about potency. New Zealand propolis is well placed for standardised testing given the growing analytical infrastructure around NZ bee products, and a number of producers including Tōtika are working towards independently verified flavonoid profiles. Our propolis drops are sourced from the same [Bay of Islands hives](https://www.totikahealth.co.nz/our-story?ref=blog.totikahealth.co.nz) as our certified mānuka honey, giving us direct control over the botanical environment our bees forage in. --- ## Who Should Exercise Caution: Contraindications and Drug Interactions Propolis is generally well tolerated in healthy adults. However, there are specific groups for whom caution is warranted, and several drug interactions with clinical significance that must be addressed honestly. ### Bee Product Allergy Anyone with a known allergy to bee venom, honey, pollen, or other bee products should not use propolis without prior medical consultation. Propolis is a complex botanical resin and can trigger allergic reactions including contact dermatitis and, in rare cases, more serious systemic reactions in sensitised individuals. Patch testing before regular use is a sensible precaution for anyone with a history of bee-related allergy \[7\]. ### Warfarin and Anticoagulant Medications This is the most clinically significant interaction. Propolis has antiplatelet properties that may reduce blood clotting. When taken alongside anticoagulant drugs such as warfarin, or antiplatelet drugs such as aspirin, clopidogrel, or heparin, the combined effect may increase bleeding risk. A systematic review of propolis drug-herb interactions published in *Frontiers in Pharmacology* in 2022 specifically identified anticoagulant interaction as the primary pharmacodynamic concern with propolis supplementation \[7\]. Anyone on anticoagulant therapy must consult their prescribing physician before using propolis. ### CYP450 Enzyme Interactions Propolis compounds can influence the cytochrome P450 enzyme system in the liver, which is responsible for metabolising a wide range of pharmaceutical drugs including certain statins, immunosuppressants, antidepressants, and beta-blockers. This means propolis has the potential to either increase or decrease the effective blood concentration of these medications. Anyone on CYP450-metabolised medications should discuss propolis use with their prescribing physician or pharmacist \[7\]. ### Pregnancy and Lactation The safety data for propolis use during pregnancy is insufficient to support a recommendation for or against it. Current guidance from clinical reference databases rates propolis as category C in pregnancy (use with caution if benefits outweigh risks, given limited human data). Given this uncertainty, avoidance during pregnancy is the prudent position unless a healthcare professional advises otherwise \[7\]. ### Pre-operative Context Due to the antiplatelet effects noted above, propolis should be discontinued at least two weeks before any planned surgical procedure \[7\]. **Important:** This contraindications section is not exhaustive. If you take any prescription medication, have a diagnosed health condition, or are uncertain about any interaction, consult your GP or pharmacist before beginning propolis supplementation. Kim Slemint, RN, has reviewed this article to ensure health claims are accurately framed and potential risks are clearly communicated. ![Tōtika mānuka honey jar and propolis dropper bottle side by side on white marble with wooden honey dipper and mānuka blossoms, New Zealand bee products.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/31/68/31682e39-782e-406f-8831-70347df006e3/content/images/2026/04/T--tika-m--nuka-honey-jar-and-propolis-dropper-bottle-side-by-side-on-white-marble-with-wooden-honey-dipperSQR.png) Mānuka honey and bee propolis from the same Bay of Islands hives: complementary bioactives with different mechanisms of action. --- ## Frequently Asked Questions What is bee propolis used for? Propolis is taken as a supplement for immune support, oral health, antioxidant protection, and general wellbeing. It has been studied in randomised controlled trials for upper respiratory tract infection prevention, oral bacterial control, and reduction of inflammatory markers. It is also used topically for skin and wound care applications, which is a separate application area. Is New Zealand propolis different from other propolis? Yes, in a specific and documented way. Where New Zealand bees forage on native flora, the propolis they produce contains diterpenoids rather than the flavonoids typical of European or American poplar-type propolis. New Zealand propolis has also been shown in comparative studies to contain higher total flavonoid content and higher antioxidant activity than international samples. The botanical source determines the compound profile, and New Zealand's unique native flora produces a distinctive result. Can I take propolis and mānuka honey together? Yes. They complement each other through different mechanisms. Mānuka honey provides direct-contact antibacterial activity through stable MGO; propolis provides broader-spectrum antimicrobial coverage including antiviral activity, plus immunomodulatory and antioxidant effects. Many people who use one do benefit from using both, particularly during winter or periods of immune stress. Neither replaces the other. Is propolis safe to take every day? For healthy adults without the contraindications described above, propolis is generally considered safe for daily use. Clinical trials have used daily supplementation for periods of up to 13 months without reported safety concerns in healthy populations. However, anyone on prescription medication, particularly anticoagulants, should consult their doctor first. Can propolis replace antibiotics? No. Propolis has documented antimicrobial activity against a broad range of pathogens in laboratory settings, and some human studies support its use for specific applications such as oral health and upper respiratory support. However, it does not reach the therapeutic concentrations in tissues required to replace prescription antibiotics for bacterial infections. It may complement antibiotic therapy in specific contexts, but that is a clinical decision for a prescribing physician, not a supplement choice. What should I look for on a propolis label? Look for independently verified flavonoid content (either total flavonoids or a specific CAPE measurement), geographic origin, the method of extraction, and the concentration of propolis per serving. Without a flavonoid or bioactive marker measurement, you cannot assess the actual potency of the product. New Zealand origin with lab-tested bioactive levels is the quality benchmark to look for. Does propolis interact with any medications? Yes, with clinical significance. The most important interactions are with anticoagulant drugs (warfarin, aspirin, heparin), where propolis may enhance bleeding risk, and with CYP450-metabolised drugs (certain statins, antidepressants, immunosuppressants), where propolis may affect drug metabolism and effective blood concentration. Always inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking or considering propolis alongside prescription medications. --- Dr Isaac Flitta PhD | MPhil Biomedical | Founder and CEO, Tōtika Health Limited Isaac began working with bees in 2013 as a design consultant, designing an eco beehive — a project that led to managing over 150 hives across Northland in the early years of Tōtika. He founded and ran the Waipu Bee Club for five years, is a Founding Member of Apiculture New Zealand (FM00007), and has exported certified mānuka honey and bee products to the USA, Canada, Japan, China, the Middle East, and across Europe. He holds a PhD in Aerospace Materials and an MPhil in Biomedical Engineering. Sara Samavati Masters Animal Husbandry | Trained Organic Skincare Formulator (UK) | Director of Skincare Solutions, Tōtika Health Sara holds a Master's degree in Animal Husbandry and Agriculture from Germany and trained as an Organic Skincare Formulator in the UK. Her understanding of bee biology, native flora ecology, and natural ingredient chemistry informs Tōtika's approach to both ingestible and topical bee product formulation. She is the co-creator of Tōtika's bioactive skincare range. **Reviewed by:** Kim Slemint, RN, Clinical Advisor, Tōtika Health. Kim reviews all health-related claims in Tōtika's published content to ensure accuracy, appropriate framing of evidence, clear contraindication disclosure, and alignment with responsible consumer health communication. --- ## References 1. Manley-Harris, M., Grainger, M. N. C., Peters, L. M., and Te Rire-McNeil, S. T. (2025). Composition and bioactivity of propolis derived from New Zealand native forest. *Fitoterapia*, 181, 106412\. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fitote.2025.106412 2. Mountford-McAuley, R., Robertson, A., Taylor, M., and Clavijo McCormick, A. (2024). Characterisation of New Zealand propolis from different regions based on its volatile organic compounds. *Molecules*, 29(13), 3143\. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29133143 3. University of Auckland Research Space. Propolis from New Zealand and international sources: analysis and comparison of antioxidant and polyphenolic profiles. Retrieved from researchspace.auckland.ac.nz 4. Martinotti, S., Bonsignore, G., and Ranzato, E. (2025). Propolis: a natural substance with multifaceted properties and activities. *International Journal of Molecular Sciences*, 26(4), 1519\. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26041519 5. Braakhuis, A. (2019). Evidence on the health benefits of supplemental propolis. *Nutrients*, 11(11), 2705\. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11112705 (PMC6893770) 6. Frontiers in Nutrition (2025). Propolis supplementation on inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2025.1542184 7. Moricz, A. M., et al. (2022). An overview of the evidence and mechanism of drug-herb interactions between propolis and pharmaceutical drugs. *Frontiers in Pharmacology*, 13, 876183\. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2022.876183 ### Manuka Honey: A Sweetener Your Liver Can Appreciate URL: https://blog.totikahealth.co.nz/manuka-honey-liver-health/ Last updated: 2026-05-08T09:59:11.000Z By **Dr Isaac Flitta** | PhD · MPhil Biomedical · Founder and CEO, Tōtika Health Clinically reviewed by **Kim Slemint**, RN, Clinical Advisor, Tōtika Health Originally published 11 January 2018 · Updated April 2026 **At a Glance** High-MGO manuka honey has a fructose-to-glucose ratio that differs from regular honey, placing a lower immediate metabolic load on the liver compared to sucrose. It also contains methylglyoxal and antioxidant compounds absent in standard sweeteners. People managing diabetes, fructose malabsorption, or liver conditions should consult their GP before adding manuka honey to their diet. **Important: Please read before continuing**This article is written for general educational interest about food science. It is not medical advice, and it is not a guide for managing any health condition. Mānuka honey is a food, not a medicine. If you have liver disease, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, or any condition that affects how your body processes sugar, please speak with your GP before making any dietary change. Nothing in this article is intended to replace that conversation. The research discussed here involves animal models and general honey; the specific evidence for mānuka honey and human liver health remains very limited. We have presented the science honestly, including its limitations. Honey has been part of human diets for thousands of years. Mānuka honey has a particularly distinctive biochemical profile. This article explores what the current research says about honey and some metabolic markers; what that evidence can and cannot tell us; and why the type of sweetener you choose may have some bearing on your metabolic health, in modest and carefully qualified ways. ## Why the Choice of Sweetener Has Any Relevance to Metabolic Health The liver processes fructose almost entirely on its own. When fructose arrives in large amounts from refined sources such as high-fructose corn syrup or sucrose, it can contribute to the production of triglycerides in the liver. Over time and in the context of excess energy intake, this can be one factor in fat accumulation in liver tissue. This does not mean that fructose from any source is harmful. Context, quantity, and the broader dietary pattern matter enormously. What the research does suggest is that the type of sweetener you use, and whether it comes with any additional bioactive compounds, may be relevant when considered as part of a whole dietary pattern. Honey has been the subject of some research in this context, precisely because it is not just sugar. We want to be clear about the limits of this idea. Switching a sweetener does not treat or manage liver disease. If you have a liver condition, this article is not a resource for you; your medical team is. What this article addresses is a food question: is mānuka honey a more considered choice than refined sugar as an everyday sweetener, and what does the available evidence suggest? ## What Makes Mānuka Honey Different from Refined Sugar Refined white sugar is sucrose: two sugar molecules bonded together, delivering nothing beyond energy. Mānuka honey is more complex. It contains roughly 38 per cent fructose and 31 per cent glucose in free form, but alongside those sugars it carries a range of compounds that refined sugar does not. ![Raw mānuka honeycomb dripping on weathered wood surrounded by white mānuka blossoms with dark centres, New Zealand](https://storage.ghost.io/c/31/68/31682e39-782e-406f-8831-70347df006e3/content/images/2026/04/Comb-honey.jpg) ### Methylglyoxal MGO is the compound that defines mānuka honey's unique antibacterial activity. It forms in the hive from dihydroxyacetone, which is present in high concentrations only in the nectar of *Leptospermum scoparium*, the mānuka plant native to New Zealand. MGO content is measured and certified by independent IANZ-accredited laboratories; at Tōtika, we use [R J Hill Laboratories in Hamilton for every batch, from our Bay of Islands hives](https://totikahealth.co.nz/our-story?ref=blog.totikahealth.co.nz). The MGO rating on the jar reflects a verified measurement, not a marketing claim. ### Polyphenols: Chrysin, Pinobanksin, and Pinocembrin A 2024 study from the Medical University of Lodz confirmed that commercially available mānuka honey contains polyphenolic compounds including chrysin, pinobanksin, and pinocembrin, and demonstrated measurable free-radical-scavenging activity in biochemical testing \[1\]. This was a laboratory study; it characterised what is in the honey and how those compounds behave chemically. It did not test effects on the liver or on human health outcomes. We cite it here to describe composition, not to make clinical claims. For a deeper explanation of how MGO forms and what the grades mean, see our [complete MGO science guide](https://blog.totikahealth.co.nz/what-is-mgo-in-manuka-honey/). ### Oligosaccharides and Prebiotic Activity Honey contains oligosaccharides that are not fully digested in the small intestine and may support the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. The relationship between gut microbiome composition and liver function is an active area of research. We discuss this below in appropriately cautious terms. --- ## What the Human Evidence Actually Shows This is where we want to be most careful, and most honest. A 2023 systematic review published in *Nutrients* analysed 48 clinical trials on honey and human health, covering 3,655 participants across cardiovascular, metabolic, and inflammatory outcomes. The reviewers found that honey consumption was associated with more beneficial than neutral or harmful outcomes for metabolic risk factors, particularly when honey replaced other sweeteners rather than being added on top of an existing diet \[2\]. This is the most important qualifier in the entire evidence base: the benefit observed is a substitution benefit, not a honey-as-supplement benefit. A 2023 meta-analysis from the University of Toronto, published in *Nutrition Reviews*, analysed 18 controlled feeding trials involving 1,105 participants. It found that honey intake was associated with statistically significant reductions in fasting glucose, ALT (alanine aminotransferase, a marker of liver enzyme activity), total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and fasting triglycerides, alongside an increase in HDL cholesterol \[3\]. This is notable because ALT is one of the markers clinicians use to monitor liver health. However, the researchers themselves drew a careful conclusion: the findings applied in the context of healthy dietary patterns where added sugars made up no more than 10 per cent of daily caloric intake. The lead researcher stated explicitly: "We are not saying you should start having honey if you currently avoid sugar. The takeaway is more about replacement." What the human evidence supports and what it does not When honey replaces refined sugar as part of a generally healthy diet, some metabolic markers including a liver enzyme marker may improve modestly in controlled settings. This is not evidence that honey treats liver disease, improves liver function in people with liver conditions, or that mānuka honey specifically produces these effects. The trials in both reviews used various honey types; very few used mānuka honey specifically. ![Honey being drizzled from a wooden dipper over a bowl of porridge with fresh berries, natural kitchen light, New Zealand mānuka honey lifestyle](https://storage.ghost.io/c/31/68/31682e39-782e-406f-8831-70347df006e3/content/images/2026/04/A-ceramic-breakfast-bowl-with-porridge-.jpg) ## What Animal and Laboratory Research Suggests: With Honest Caveats There is a body of preclinical research on honey and liver health that is worth understanding, provided its limitations are clear. A 2024 study published in the *Journal of Food Biochemistry* tested different honey samples, classified by their total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity, in a rat model of liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride (a toxic chemical used to create controlled liver damage in laboratory animals) \[4\]. Honeys with higher phenolic content and antioxidant activity were associated with better protection of liver enzyme markers. The study's conclusion was that hepatoprotective effects of honey appear related to its phenolic content. This is interesting in the context of mānuka honey, which has a well-characterised polyphenol profile, but this study did not test mānuka honey specifically, and animal models of toxic liver injury are quite different from the metabolic liver conditions affecting most people. A 2021 study in *Frontiers in Immunology* investigated whether monofloral honey polyphenols could improve liver markers in mice with alcohol-induced liver injury by modulating gut microbiota composition \[5\]. The honey tested was *Triadica cochinchinensis*, a Chinese medicinal plant honey, not mānuka honey. The study found positive effects on liver enzyme levels and gut bacterial composition in the animal model. We cite this study because the mechanism it investigates, specifically the relationship between honey polyphenols, gut microbiota, and liver health, is scientifically relevant to understanding why any monofloral honey might have hepatic effects. It does not constitute evidence for mānuka honey specifically, and it is animal data. The gap between what animal models show and what applies to humans is one of the most important concepts in evidence-based nutrition. Many substances show promising hepatoprotective effects in animal models that do not translate into clinical benefit in humans. We are not in a position to say that mānuka honey protects the human liver; the evidence does not support that claim. We can say that the research is interesting and that the bioactive profile of mānuka honey makes it a more scientifically complex food than refined sugar. ## The Gut-Liver Connection: A Research Area, Not an Established Fact The relationship between gut microbiome composition and liver health is one of the most active areas in gastroenterology research. The liver receives blood directly from the intestinal tract via the portal vein; the balance of bacterial populations in the gut influences what metabolites, inflammatory signals, and microbial byproducts the liver is exposed to. Honey contains compounds that laboratory studies suggest may support beneficial gut bacteria. Whether this translates into measurable liver benefit in humans, at the quantities of honey a person would normally consume, has not been established. We raise this connection because it is scientifically interesting and because it represents a plausible mechanism. We do not cite it as evidence of effect. ## Comparing Mānuka Honey to Other Sweeteners: What the Evidence Permits Us to Say | Sweetener | Bioactive compounds beyond sugar | Human clinical evidence | Key caveat | | ------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Refined white sugar | None | Associated with negative metabolic outcomes at high intake | No protective compounds of any kind | | High-fructose corn syrup | None | Associated with elevated triglycerides and liver fat at high intake | Higher free-fructose content than sugar | | Regular multifloral honey | Polyphenols (variable), oligosaccharides | Some metabolic benefit in controlled trials when replacing other sweeteners | Polyphenol content varies widely; no MGO | | Mānuka honey (monofloral) | Polyphenols, MGO, leptosperin, oligosaccharides | Not specifically tested in liver health trials; general honey evidence applies | More bioactives than regular honey; no human liver trials specific to mānuka | The honest position is that the human clinical evidence for honey and metabolic markers is promising but limited, and the evidence specifically for mānuka honey in liver health is very thin. What we can say is that mānuka honey brings a richer bioactive profile to the substitution than any refined sweetener does, and that when the question is "which sweetener should I use in moderation," the science offers reasonable support for choosing honey over refined sugar. ## Important Safety Information We include this section not as a formality but because it genuinely matters. - **Infants under 12 months:** All honey carries a risk of *Clostridium botulinum* spores. An infant's digestive system cannot neutralise these. This is an absolute contraindication; there is no safe amount of honey for a baby under one year of age. - **Diabetes or pre-diabetes:** Honey raises blood glucose. It is a sugar. If you manage blood glucose medically or are at risk of diabetes, discuss any dietary change with your GP before acting on anything in this article. Mānuka honey is not a therapeutic food for diabetes. - **Diagnosed liver conditions:** If you have any diagnosed liver condition, including fatty liver disease, hepatitis, or cirrhosis, the dietary decisions that matter are ones you make with your hepatologist or GP. This article is not a resource for managing those conditions. - **Bee product allergy:** Honey can cause reactions in people allergic to bee stings or propolis. If you have this allergy, do not consume honey without medical advice. - **Weight management:** Honey is energy-dense. Any metabolic benefit described in the research literature applies to honey replacing other sweeteners, not to honey being added to a diet that already includes significant sugar intake. - **Medications:** If you take any prescription medication, particularly warfarin or drugs that affect blood glucose, speak with your pharmacist or GP before introducing honey as a regular dietary element. Honey can interact with certain medications. --- ## Frequently Asked Questions Is mānuka honey good for liver health? There is no human clinical evidence that mānuka honey specifically improves liver health. There is evidence from controlled human trials that honey in general, when it replaces refined sugar as part of a healthy diet, is associated with modest reductions in ALT (a liver enzyme marker) and some other metabolic markers. Mānuka honey has a more complex bioactive profile than most other honeys, but it has not been specifically tested in human liver health trials. If liver health is a concern for you, speak with your GP. Does mānuka honey help with fatty liver disease? There is no human clinical evidence that mānuka honey treats or improves fatty liver disease. Some animal studies suggest that high-phenolic honey may reduce liver enzyme elevations in models of liver injury, but animal model results frequently do not translate to human benefit. Fatty liver disease requires management through diet, exercise, and medical oversight. Please speak with your GP or a dietitian. Is mānuka honey better for you than white sugar? As a food choice in moderation, the available evidence suggests honey may be a more considered option than refined sugar when used as a replacement. Human clinical trials suggest modest metabolic benefits when honey replaces other sweeteners, which refined sugar does not offer. This is not a claim that honey is a health food or that consuming it confers medical benefit. Honey is still a sugar. How much mānuka honey should I eat for health benefits? We are not in a position to give dietary recommendations, and this article does not include serving size guidance for health purposes. The human clinical trials reviewed used median doses of approximately 40g per day, but those were controlled research settings, not prescriptions. If you want personal dietary guidance, speak with a dietitian or your GP. In general terms, honey should be used in moderation as part of a varied diet. Can I use mānuka honey if I have diabetes? No, not without speaking to your GP or endocrinologist first. Honey raises blood glucose. Some trials have looked at honey in people with diabetes, but these were conducted under medical supervision. Please do not make any dietary change that affects your blood glucose management based on a blog article. Is there a specific MGO grade that is best for liver or metabolic health? There is no evidence base that allows us to recommend a specific MGO grade for liver or metabolic health. MGO grade relates to antibacterial potency, which is distinct from polyphenol content and metabolic effects. We do not provide MGO grade recommendations for health conditions. --- ## References 1. Kaźmierczak-Barańska J, Karwowski BT. The antioxidant potential of commercial Manuka honey from New Zealand: biochemical and cellular studies. *Curr Issues Mol Biol.* 2024;46(7):6366–6376\. doi:[10.3390/cimb46070380](https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb46070380?ref=blog.totikahealth.co.nz) 2. Palma-Morales M, Huertas JR, Rodríguez-Pérez C. A comprehensive review of the effect of honey on human health: metabolic, cardiovascular, and inflammatory aspects. *Nutrients.* 2023;15(13):3056\. doi:[10.3390/nu15133056](https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15133056?ref=blog.totikahealth.co.nz) 3. Ahmed A, Tul-Noor Z, Lee D, et al. Effect of honey on cardiometabolic risk factors: a systematic review and meta-analysis. *Nutr Rev.* 2023;81(7):758–774\. doi:[10.1093/nutrit/nuac086](https://doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuac086?ref=blog.totikahealth.co.nz) 4. Zamani Ranjbar Garmroodi B, Rajabi Moghadam M, Zarban A, et al. Hepatoprotective effects of medicinal honey: introducing a new classification based on phenolic content and antioxidant capacity. *J Food Biochem.* 2024;2024:4475104\. doi:[10.1155/2024/4475104](https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/4475104?ref=blog.totikahealth.co.nz) 5. Luo L, Zhang J, Liu M, et al. Monofloral *Triadica cochinchinensis* honey polyphenols improve alcohol-induced liver disease by regulating the gut microbiota of mice. *Front Immunol.* 2021;12:673903\. doi:[10.3389/fimmu.2021.673903](https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2021.673903?ref=blog.totikahealth.co.nz) --- Dr Isaac Flitta PhD · MPhil Biomedical · Founding Member FM00007, NZ Apiculture Industry Body · Founder and CEO, Tōtika Health Isaac is the founder of Tōtika Health Limited, based in Kerikeri, Bay of Islands. His background spans aerospace materials characterisation, biomedical research, and product development and commercialisation. He writes about mānuka honey as a scientist who certifies and produces it. Every Tōtika batch is independently tested at R J Hill Laboratories (IANZ-accredited, Hamilton) before leaving the Bay of Islands. Isaac's approach to content is to present the science accurately, including where evidence is limited or preliminary, and to resist the temptation to overstate what the research supports. Kim Slemint RN · Clinical Advisor, Tōtika Health Kim Slemint is a Registered Nurse and Clinical Advisor at Tōtika Health. Kim reviews published content to ensure health claims are accurately framed, contraindications are clearly stated, and that nothing in the article crosses into medical advice for conditions requiring professional management. Kim's clinical review of this article confirmed the safety section, verified the evidence-tier labelling throughout, and ensured that readers with health concerns are directed to appropriate professional support. ### How Raw Manuka Honey Can Save Your Smile URL: https://blog.totikahealth.co.nz/how-raw-manuka-honey-can-save-your-smile/ Last updated: 2026-05-08T10:08:25.000Z **By Dr Isaac Flitta** | PhD, MPhil · Founder and CEO, Tōtika Health Limited | 15 July 2019 **At a Glance** Raw manuka honey contains methylglyoxal and hydrogen peroxide with demonstrated activity against Streptococcus mutans and Porphyromonas gingivalis — the key bacteria behind tooth decay and gum disease. Studies suggest it may reduce plaque formation and support gum health when used as an adjunct to regular dental care. It does not replace brushing, flossing, or professional dental check-ups. --- **Editor’s note:** This article was first published in 2019 and has been fully reviewed, updated, and expanded in May 2026 to reflect current peer-reviewed evidence, New Zealand clinical guidance, and new supporting research. The science sections have been rewritten, citations verified, and new infographics added throughout. Your mouth is home to more than 700 species of bacteria. Most cause no trouble. One does: *Streptococcus mutans*, a sticky, acid-producing organism that builds protective biofilm on tooth enamel and is the primary driver of dental decay. Standard antimicrobial mouthwashes disrupt it. So does methylglyoxal: the compound that makes high-grade mānuka honey biologically different from every other honey on the market. This article covers what the peer-reviewed research actually shows about mānuka honey and oral health, where the evidence is solid, where it is preliminary, and where it is still in vitro only. The science is genuinely interesting. It also has limits, and I want to be honest about both. ## The bacteria in your mouth work harder than your toothbrush Within hours of brushing, *Streptococcus mutans* begins rebuilding dental plaque on tooth surfaces. It does not float passively in your saliva. Instead, it secretes extracellular polysaccharides that form a structured matrix: a biofilm that physically shields bacteria from antimicrobial agents and concentrates the acid they produce against enamel. This is why plaque is sticky and why rinsing with mouthwash alone cannot remove it. The acid in question is lactic acid, produced when *S. mutans* ferments dietary sugars. At the enamel surface, lactic acid drives demineralisation: it dissolves calcium and phosphate ions from the crystalline structure of the tooth. If this process outpaces remineralisation, the result is a cavity. Fluoride helps restore the balance; most antibacterial interventions address the bacterial load driving the process. Gum disease involves a different but related community. *Porphyromonas gingivalis*, *Fusobacterium nucleatum*, and *Prevotella intermedia* are anaerobic gram-negative bacteria that colonise the gingival sulcus: the narrow groove between tooth and gum. These organisms trigger the chronic immune response that characterises periodontitis, the inflammation that, if untreated, progressively destroys the bone and connective tissue holding teeth in place. ![Totika Health infographic: tooth decay zone showing S. mutans plus sugar producing lactic acid dissolving enamel minerals, and gum disease zone showing P. gingivalis F. nucleatum P. intermedia causing chronic inflammation in gum pockets](https://storage.ghost.io/c/31/68/31682e39-782e-406f-8831-70347df006e3/content/images/2026/05/Why-Bacteruia-work-4.png) 700+ species live in your mouth. A handful drive most of the damage: one zone eroding enamel, another destroying the tissue holding your teeth in place. Source: Tōtika Health. ## What MGO actually does to oral bacteria Methylglyoxal (MGO) forms naturally in mānuka honey from dihydroxyacetone (DHA), a compound present at high concentrations in the nectar of *Leptospermum scoparium*. As honey ripens in the comb, DHA converts progressively to MGO. This is why raw mānuka honey that has been allowed to fully mature contains significantly higher MGO than honey harvested early in the season: the transformation takes time, and prematurely extracted honey leaves MGO potential unrealised. "Raw" here means unprocessed and fully matured in the comb. That is chemistry, not marketing. ![Totika Health infographic: from nectar to MGO why ripe matters. Three steps: manuka nectar high DHA, ripening in the comb over time, stable non-peroxide antibacterial activity. Most honeys use H2O2 which breaks down in the mouth, ripe manuka produces stable MGO](https://storage.ghost.io/c/31/68/31682e39-782e-406f-8831-70347df006e3/content/images/2026/05/Image-2---from-Nectira-to-MGO23-3.png) The antibacterial difference starts in the nectar. DHA converts to MGO as the honey matures in the comb. Harvest too early and the potential is lost. Source: Tōtika Health. MGO's antibacterial mechanism is distinct from the hydrogen peroxide activity found in most conventional honeys. Hydrogen peroxide is unstable in the warm, enzyme-rich environment of the mouth, where catalase enzymes from saliva and bacteria rapidly break it down. MGO is stable under the same conditions. It disrupts bacterial cell membrane integrity, inhibits key enzyme activity, and at sufficient concentrations causes irreversible DNA damage in susceptible organisms. Methylglyoxal (2-oxopropanal) — the active molecule in mānuka honey H₃C C O C O H methyl group ketone aldehyde two reactive sites — 3 carbons total Methylglyoxal has exactly 3 carbons. The ketone and aldehyde groups sit directly adjacent (shown inside the dashed gold bracket), which is chemically unusual and the source of MGO's high antibacterial reactivity. Most compounds have only one reactive site. ![Totika Health infographic: how MGO disarms bacteria, why two is more powerful than one. Three panels: the methylglyoxal molecule with methyl ketone and aldehyde groups, why adjacent oxygens make the central carbon electron-hungry and reactive, and how MGO forms an irreversible bond with bacterial proteins](https://storage.ghost.io/c/31/68/31682e39-782e-406f-8831-70347df006e3/content/images/2026/05/How-MGO-Fight-Germs3-2.png) Two adjacent reactive sites make MGO structurally unusual and highly effective against bacterial proteins. Regular honey has one. The difference is molecular, not cosmetic. Mechanism: Safii, Tompkins and Duncan, University of Otago, 2017 \[2\]. In vitro research from the Sir John Walsh Research Institute at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, tested medical-grade mānuka honey against twelve species of oral bacteria, including *S. mutans*, *P. gingivalis*, *F. nucleatum*, and *P. intermedia* \[2\]. The honey demonstrated antibacterial activity against all twelve species tested. This is laboratory evidence, not a clinical trial, but it confirmed that mānuka honey reaches a biologically relevant range of oral pathogens, not just the organisms most commonly studied in isolation. A randomised, double-blind clinical study published in 2023 compared a mānuka honey mouthwash against 0.2% chlorhexidine and distilled water in 45 participants over 21 days \[4\]. The mānuka honey group showed statistically significant reductions in both the plaque index and salivary *S. mutans* bacterial load compared to baseline. Chlorhexidine was the more effective agent overall, as you would expect. But the mānuka honey group achieved meaningful reductions without reported side effects, which is clinically relevant when considering something used repeatedly over months. ## What the gum disease research shows The most clinically meaningful published trial to date on mānuka honey and periodontal disease is a 12-month, split-mouth pilot study from the University Hospital Zagreb, published in *Materials* in 2023 \[3\]. Split-mouth design means each participant served as their own control: one half of the mouth received standard non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) alone; the other half received NSPT plus mānuka honey applied directly into the gingival pockets by the clinician. At 3, 6, and 12-month follow-up points, the mānuka honey quadrants showed statistically significant improvements in periodontal pocket depth (PPD) compared to NSPT alone. Clinical attachment level, a measure of how much supporting tissue has been lost, also improved significantly at 3 and 6 months. The authors appropriately note that this is a pilot study of 15 participants and that the findings require confirmation in larger randomised controlled trials before firm clinical guidance can be issued. What is notable from a research design standpoint is the 12-month follow-up. Many adjunctive periodontal interventions show promising short-term improvements that do not hold at one year. The persistence of pocket depth improvement here is worth tracking as larger studies are conducted. ## The University of Otago study you should know about The foundational clinical research connecting mānuka honey to dental plaque and gingivitis control was published in 2004 by English, Pack, and Molan at the University of Otago School of Dentistry \[1\]. Thirty participants were randomised to either chew a mānuka honey preparation (a chewable “honey leather” made with UMF 15 honey) or sugarless chewing gum three times daily for 10 minutes, over a 21-day period. The mānuka honey group showed statistically highly significant reductions in mean plaque scores (from 0.99 to 0.65, p=0.001) and in the percentage of bleeding sites (from 48% to 17%, p=0.001). The control group showed no significant changes. No significant differences in caries activity were observed. The small sample size and short duration limit generalisation, but as a randomised controlled trial, this study established that high-activity mānuka honey held in contact with teeth and gums can produce measurable improvements in plaque and gingival health. The Otago faculty connection to this area of research is ongoing. The 2017 in vitro study by Safii, Tompkins, and Duncan at the same institution built directly on this foundation, testing antibacterial activity across twelve oral pathogen species \[2\]. A 2025 in vitro study from the University of Bern also reported significant biofilm disruption from mānuka honey and propolis toothpaste formulations, with the propolis-mānuka combination producing the strongest reduction in colony-forming units within established biofilms \[5\]. ![Totika Health infographic: key studies on manuka honey and oral health. Otago 2004 chewable manuka 30 people 21 days reduced plaque and bleeding sites. Clinical 2023 manuka mouthwash 45 people 21 days reduced plaque index and S. mutans. Zagreb 2023 gum disease pilot 15 people 12-month split-mouth better pocket depth with manuka adjunct](https://storage.ghost.io/c/31/68/31682e39-782e-406f-8831-70347df006e3/content/images/2026/05/Image3-2-2-2.png) Three studies, three formats, one consistent direction. Chlorhexidine remains the stronger antimicrobial. Mānuka honey's case rests on adjunct benefit and tolerability. Sources: \[1\] \[3\] \[4\]. ## Bad breath and what the evidence actually supports Halitosis caused by oral bacteria is driven primarily by volatile sulphur compounds (VSCs), produced by anaerobic gram-negative species colonising the posterior tongue, the gingival sulcus, and periodontal pockets. The same organisms implicated in periodontitis, specifically *P. gingivalis* and *F. nucleatum*, are significant VSC producers. The 2023 Al-Kubaisi clinical study documented broader reductions in oral bacterial load in the mānuka honey mouthwash group \[4\]. Halitosis was not directly measured as an outcome, so improved breath remains an indirect inference rather than a demonstrated trial result. There is no published randomised controlled trial specifically on mānuka honey and halitosis. What is reasonable to say is that improving gingival health and reducing the bacterial load of VSC-producing organisms may contribute to improved breath as a secondary effect. That distinction matters. **Clinical note**Persistent halitosis can indicate conditions beyond oral bacteria, including dry mouth, acid reflux, or metabolic disorders. It warrants dental and, where indicated, medical assessment. It is not appropriate to self-manage with any food product alone. ## How the options compare | Factor | Regular honey | Mānuka MGO 514+ | Chlorhexidine 0.2% | | ------------------------------------ | ------------------------- | ---------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- | | Primary antibacterial mechanism | H₂O₂ (unstable in mouth) | MGO (stable, non-peroxide) | Cationic membrane disruption | | Active against *S. mutans* | Moderate (in vitro only) | Yes (clinical and in vitro) | Yes (extensive evidence) | | Active against periodontal pathogens | Limited | Yes (University of Otago, in vitro) | Yes | | Disrupts established biofilm | Low | Moderate to strong (in vitro) | Strong | | Long-term use concerns | Sugar content in quantity | None reported in studies | Tooth staining, taste alteration, microbiome disruption | | NZ clinical research | None | Yes (University of Otago, 2004 and 2017) | Extensive global evidence base | ## How to incorporate mānuka honey into your oral health routine The research does not yet support a single standardised home protocol. What the published studies share is a common principle: the honey needs to remain in contact with teeth and gum tissue for a meaningful period rather than being immediately swallowed. The 2004 Otago study used a chewing format; the 2023 Zagreb trial applied honey subgingivally under clinical supervision; the Al-Kubaisi mouthwash study diluted honey for rinsing. The grades used in oral health research correspond broadly to UMF 15+ and above, which in the MGO rating system is approximately MGO 514+. This reflects the minimum activity level at which consistent antibacterial effects have been observed. Our [mānuka honey range](https://www.totikahealth.co.nz/category/active-manuka-honey?ref=blog.totikahealth.co.nz) covers MGO 250+ through to MGO 1050+. For oral health applications aligned with the research literature, MGO 514+ and above is the relevant starting point. Our [MGO 1050+ (UMF 23+)](https://www.totikahealth.co.nz/product-page/premium-manuka-honey-mgo-1050-umf23?ref=blog.totikahealth.co.nz) is our highest-activity offering, independently tested by Hill Laboratories under IANZ accreditation. Mānuka honey is a complement to, not a replacement for, regular brushing with fluoride toothpaste, flossing, and professional dental cleaning. The research supports it as an adjunct intervention with a plausible and increasingly well-documented mechanism. It does not replace mechanical plaque removal or professional periodontal treatment. **A note on sugar content and enamel**High-MGO mānuka honey contains fructose and glucose. The concern with regular honey and dental health is that fermentable sugars feed cariogenic bacteria. The published clinical evidence suggests that mānuka honey's antibacterial activity, when used purposefully and in appropriate amounts, counteracts this effect: the 2004 Otago study observed no increase in caries activity in the mānuka group over 21 days. If you have active untreated cavities, discuss any change to your oral care routine with your dentist first. ## When to see your dentist Mānuka honey is a bioactive food, not a dental treatment. The following symptoms require professional dental assessment: - Toothache or persistent dental pain - Visible cavity, broken, or chipped tooth - Bleeding gums that persist despite improved oral hygiene - Loose teeth or noticeable gum recession - Swelling in the gum, jaw, or face - Persistent bad breath that does not improve with good oral hygiene The [New Zealand Dental Association (nzda.org.nz)](https://www.nzda.org.nz/?ref=blog.totikahealth.co.nz) maintains a directory of registered practitioners. Regular check-ups remain the most evidence-based approach to long-term oral health. For more on the science of MGO and how it differs from other honey activity markers, see our guide: [What Is MGO in Mānuka Honey? A Scientist's Complete Guide](https://blog.totikahealth.co.nz/what-is-mgo-in-manuka-honey/). ## Frequently asked questions Can mānuka honey reverse tooth decay? No. Once enamel has demineralised to the point of forming a cavity, it cannot be reversed by honey or any other food product. Mānuka honey may support a healthier oral bacterial environment and, in combination with good oral hygiene, may help reduce the conditions driving decay. Existing cavities require professional dental treatment. Which MGO grade is relevant for oral health? Clinical research has generally used honey at UMF 15+ or higher, which corresponds to approximately MGO 514+ in the rating system used for export-certified New Zealand mānuka honey. If you are considering mānuka honey specifically for oral health use aligned with the published research, MGO 514+ and above is the appropriate starting point. Consult your dentist before changing your oral health routine. Does mānuka honey cause cavities because of its sugar content? Regular honey, used in quantity, contributes to bacterial acid production because its sugars are fermentable. High-MGO mānuka honey is different because its antibacterial activity counteracts the sugar-feeding effect. The 2004 University of Otago clinical study observed no increase in caries activity in the mānuka honey group over 21 days. Purposeful oral application is not the same as consuming large amounts. Context and quantity matter. How do I use mānuka honey for my gums? The clinical studies used different methods: a chewable honey preparation held in the mouth (Otago, 2004), honey applied subgingivally by a dental professional (Zagreb, 2023), and a diluted mouthwash formulation (Al-Kubaisi, 2023). There is no single standardised home protocol. The consistent principle is allowing the honey to remain in contact with gum tissue rather than swallowing immediately. Use this as a complement to brushing and flossing, not a replacement for either. Does mānuka honey kill *Streptococcus mutans*? In vitro and clinical evidence both support that high-MGO mānuka honey inhibits *S. mutans* growth and reduces salivary bacterial load. University of Otago in vitro research confirmed antibacterial activity against *S. mutans* specifically, and a 2023 randomised clinical trial demonstrated statistically significant reductions in salivary *S. mutans* levels after 21 days of mānuka honey mouthwash use \[4\]. Whether this translates to a meaningful long-term reduction in cavity incidence has not yet been established in large-scale trials. About the author Dr Isaac Flitta PhD Aerospace Materials · MPhil Biomedical Engineering · Founding Member, Apiculture New Zealand (FM00007) Isaac has managed mānuka beehives in the Bay of Islands, Northland, since 2013 and founded Tōtika Health Limited, operating across New Zealand, Canada, and Switzerland. His background in materials science and biomedical engineering informs a rigorously scientific approach to honey research. He is a founding member of Apiculture New Zealand and a former President of the Waipu Bee Club. **Clinically reviewed by Kim Slemint, RN** Clinical Advisor, Tōtika Health Limited. Registered Nurse with expertise in health claim accuracy, consumer health content, and evidence-based framing of therapeutic evidence. ## References 1. English HKP, Pack ARC, Molan PC. The effects of manuka honey on plaque and gingivitis: a pilot study. *J Int Acad Periodontol.* 2004 Apr;6(2):63–7\. PMID: [15125017](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15125017/?ref=blog.totikahealth.co.nz) 2. Safii SH, Tompkins GR, Duncan WJ. Periodontal Application of Manuka Honey: Antimicrobial and Demineralising Effects In Vitro. *Int J Dent.* 2017;2017:9874535\. doi: [10.1155/2017/9874535](https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/9874535?ref=blog.totikahealth.co.nz). PMC5368358. 3. Vukovic A, et al. Therapeutic Manuka Honey as an Adjunct to Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy: A 12-Month Follow-Up, Split-Mouth Pilot Study. *Materials (Basel).* 2023 Feb 1;16(3):1248\. doi: [10.3390/ma16031248](https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16031248?ref=blog.totikahealth.co.nz). PMC9921343. 4. Al-Kubaisi MW, Al-Ghurabi BH. Evaluation of Manuka Honey Effects on Dental Plaque and Bacterial Load (Clinical Study). *J Med Chem Sci.* 2023;6(2):365–375\. doi: [10.26655/JMCHEMSCI.2023.2.17](https://doi.org/10.26655/JMCHEMSCI.2023.2.17?ref=blog.totikahealth.co.nz) 5. Jungbauer G, Lechner R, Stähli A, Sculean A, Eick S. In-Vitro Effect of Manuka Honey / Propolis Toothpastes on Bacteria and Biofilm Associated with Caries and Gingivitis. *Oral Health Prev Dent.* 2025\. doi: [10.3290/j.ohpd.c\_1910](https://doi.org/10.3290/j.ohpd.c%5F1910?ref=blog.totikahealth.co.nz). PMC11966148. ### What Is MGO in Manuka Honey? A Scientist's Complete Guide URL: https://blog.totikahealth.co.nz/what-is-mgo-in-manuka-honey/ Last updated: 2026-05-08T10:12:17.000Z **By Dr Isaac Flitta, PhD** | Founder & CEO, Tōtika Health | Founding Member FM00007, NZ Apiculture Industry Body Updated April 2026 | First published June 2018 | Category: MGO Science / Wellbeing **At a Glance** MGO stands for methylglyoxal, the primary antibacterial compound in authentic New Zealand manuka honey. The higher the MGO number, the greater the antibacterial potency: MGO 250 suits daily wellness, MGO 500 supports immune and digestive health, and MGO 800 and above is used in wound care and clinical settings. All genuine NZ manuka honey must pass five MPI chemical markers before it can be exported. --- If you have spent any time reading manuka honey labels, you have encountered the letters MGO followed by a number: 250, 400, 850, 1050\. You are looking at a measurement. A precise, independently verified, peer-reviewed measurement of the compound that makes manuka honey scientifically distinct from every other honey on earth. This guide explains exactly what that measurement means, how it is produced, how it is certified, and what the New Zealand Government requires before any producer can legally call their product manuka honey. Throughout, I will reference Tōtika Health’s own IANZ-accredited laboratory results across multiple batches and grades as real-world illustrations of what certified testing actually looks like in practice. --- ## What Does MGO Stand For? MGO stands for methylglyoxal: a naturally occurring organic compound found in high concentrations in authentic New Zealand manuka honey. The number next to MGO on a certified label represents the milligrams of methylglyoxal present per kilogram of honey. MGO 1050+ means a minimum of 1,050 mg of methylglyoxal per kilogram, the highest certified grade commercially available. Methylglyoxal is not a marketing concept. It is a measurable, quantifiable chemical entity identified by Professor Thomas Henle of the Technical University of Dresden, whose landmark 2008 research established that MGO is the dominant antibacterial compound in manuka honey, and that its concentration correlates directly and linearly with antibacterial potency. A 2022 study published in PLOS ONE (Green et al.) confirmed this relationship across 29 commercial manuka honey samples, finding strong correlation between MGO content and antibacterial activity measured by multiple independent methods \[1, 2\]. --- ## Why Manuka Honey Is Different From Other Raw Honey All raw honey has some antibacterial activity. It comes from hydrogen peroxide: an enzyme called glucose oxidase catalyses the oxidation of glucose, releasing hydrogen peroxide, which displays antimicrobial activity when applied to wound tissue. This mechanism is real, but fragile. Heat, light, and the catalase enzyme naturally present in body fluids all degrade hydrogen peroxide activity rapidly. Manuka honey does something different. In addition to hydrogen peroxide activity (common to all raw honey), manuka honey contains a second, independent antibacterial mechanism: non-peroxide activity (NPA). For years, scientists knew this NPA existed but could not identify its source. Professor Henle’s 2008 research resolved this. The source is methylglyoxal. Unlike hydrogen peroxide, MGO is chemically stable. It does not degrade with heat or light. Its antibacterial effect persists even after the honey is applied to a wound site where catalase would otherwise neutralise standard honey activity. This stability is precisely why clinical researchers and wound care practitioners specify high-MGO manuka honey for medical applications \[3\]. --- ## How MGO Forms: The DHA Conversion Pathway Methylglyoxal is not present in meaningful concentrations in fresh manuka nectar. It develops through a slow, non-enzymatic conversion from a precursor compound called dihydroxyacetone (DHA). Here is the sequence: - Bees collect nectar from *Leptospermum scoparium*, the manuka plant, native to New Zealand and found in exceptional concentration in the Northland region and Bay of Islands. - The nectar contains naturally high levels of DHA, a compound essentially unique to manuka at meaningful concentrations. - Inside the hive and during storage, DHA converts gradually to MGO through a chemical reaction that continues for 12 to 60 months or more after harvesting. - The MGO level in the final honey reflects both the DHA concentration in the original nectar (determined by specific flora and latitude) and the time elapsed during storage. This is why provenance is not optional. The Bay of Islands is not simply a picturesque backdrop. It is a specific latitude, with specific flora, producing specific DHA concentrations in manuka nectar that cannot be replicated elsewhere. The laboratory data below demonstrates this directly. --- ## Real Laboratory Data: What Certified Testing Actually Shows The following data comes from Tōtika Health batches tested by R J Hill Laboratories Limited, Hamilton, an IANZ-accredited laboratory. IANZ accreditation is internationally recognised through the ILAC Mutual Recognition Arrangement, meaning these results are accepted by trading partners in every market Tōtika sells into. We present data across two testing rounds and two grades to illustrate the consistency and transparency of our certification process. ### Batch Comparison Across Grades (Hill Labs Certificates 4091693 and 3951021) | | Feb 2026 (MGO 550+ grade) | Aug 2025 Batch 207258 (MGO 850+ grade) | Aug 2025 Batch 207259 (MGO 850+ grade) | | ----------------------------- | ------------------------- | -------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------- | | Methylglyoxal (MGO) | 587 mg/kg | 936 mg/kg | 927 mg/kg | | Dihydroxyacetone (DHA) | 1,451 mg/kg | 2,740 mg/kg | 2,990 mg/kg | | 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) | 14.1 mg/kg | 10.0 mg/kg | 7.8 mg/kg | | Non-Peroxide Activity (NPA) | 16.2% Phenol Eq. | 21.5% Phenol Eq. | 21.4% Phenol Eq. | | MPI Classification | Monofloral | Monofloral | Monofloral | | Peak MGO at 20°C storage | 960 mg/kg | 1,660 mg/kg | 1,720 mg/kg | Three points from this data are worth understanding in depth. First, the DHA figures. The August 2025 MGO 850+ batches carry 2,740 and 2,990 mg/kg of DHA respectively, almost double the 550+ batch. DHA is the active precursor converting into MGO: a higher DHA reading means a larger reservoir of conversion potential still at work. This directly reflects the greater monofloral purity of the 850+ grade: more manuka nectar means more DHA, which means more MGO over time. Second, the HMF figures. HMF (5-hydroxymethylfurfural) is a heat damage and age indicator. The lower the number, the fresher and better-handled the honey. The acceptable upper limit is 40 mg/kg. At 7.8 mg/kg, batch 207259 is among the cleanest readings possible for commercially harvested honey. All three Tōtika batches are well within the limit. Third, the peak MGO potential. Stored correctly at 20°C, both 850+ batches will continue converting DHA to MGO for more than two years, reaching 1,660 and 1,720 mg/kg respectively. These are levels well above the MGO 1050+ threshold, achieved naturally through correct storage of a fresh, high-DHA Bay of Islands harvest. ### Why Storage Temperature Is Not Optional The MGO level on your label is the certified minimum at the time of testing. What happens after purchase is entirely determined by how you store the honey. The Hill Labs kinetic model applied to the MGO 850+ batch 207258 produces the following forecast: | Storage Temp | Starting MGO | 4 Months | 8 Months | 12 Months | 18 Months | 24 Months | Peak MGO | | ------------ | ------------ | -------- | -------- | --------- | --------- | --------- | ------------------- | | 20°C (ideal) | 936 | 1,050 | 1,150 | 1,250 | 1,360 | 1,450 | 1,660 | | 27°C (warm) | 936 | 1,140 | 1,280 | 1,370 | 1,430 | 1,430 | 1,440 | | 34°C (hot) | 936 | 1,160 | 1,160 | 1,040 | 810 | 600 | 1,180 then declines | Practical implication: store your manuka honey in a cool, dark cupboard at or below 20°C. At this temperature, a jar of MGO 850+ will cross the MGO 1050+ threshold within four months of purchase and continue developing for two or more years. Stored at 34°C in a warm pantry, peak MGO arrives sooner and then declines steadily. At 24 months in heat, the same jar that could have reached 1,660 mg/kg will test at 600 mg/kg. The difference is entirely in your hands. --- ## The MPI 5-Attribute Test: What It Takes to Call It Manuka Honey This is the test most consumers do not know exists, and it is the most important quality safeguard in the entire industry. In 2018, New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) introduced a mandatory five-attribute testing standard for all manuka honey exported from New Zealand. A product cannot legally be labelled as New Zealand manuka honey in international markets without passing all five attributes. The five attributes combine chemical markers specific to *Leptospermum scoparium* nectar with DNA verification of the plant species. Together they make it essentially impossible to pass counterfeit or adulterated honey through the system. The following results are from our August 2025 MGO 850+ grade certification (Hill Labs Certificate 3951021-HGPv1): | Attribute | What It Tests | Batch 207258 | Batch 207259 | Status | | ---------------------------------- | --------------------------------------- | ------------ | ------------ | ------ | | 3-Phenyllactic acid (3-PA) | Chemical marker unique to manuka nectar | 1,280 mg/kg | 1,280 mg/kg | PASS | | 2’-Methoxyacetophenone (2’-MAP) | Chemical marker, floral origin | 18.7 mg/kg | 18.3 mg/kg | PASS | | 2-Methoxybenzoic acid (2-MBA) | Chemical marker, plant species | 24 mg/kg | 25 mg/kg | PASS | | 4-Hydroxyphenyllactic acid (4-HPA) | Chemical marker, authenticity | 8.9 mg/kg | 8.8 mg/kg | PASS | | Manuka DNA (PCR) | Confirms *Leptospermum scoparium* DNA | Cq 27.52 | Cq 26.04 | PASS | Both batches pass all five attributes and are classified as Monofloral Manuka Honey, produced predominantly from *Leptospermum scoparium* nectar with no meaningful contribution from other floral sources. The 3-PA values here (1,280 mg/kg) are notably higher than our February 2026 MGO 550+ batch (990 mg/kg). This is consistent with the higher monofloral purity of the 850+ grade: the greater the proportion of manuka nectar, the higher the concentration of every chemical marker specific to it. The test numbers tell the provenance story directly. If a brand cannot provide an MPI classification certificate for their honey, they cannot legally export it as New Zealand manuka honey. Ask for it. Any reputable producer will have it immediately to hand. Certificate numbers for Tōtika Health batches are available upon request. --- ## A Note on Tutin Testing and the Harvest Calendar New Zealand’s Food Standard: Tutin in Honey (2016) applies to honey harvested after a seasonal cutoff, typically end of December, when the risk of tutin contamination from passion vine hopper activity is elevated in certain regions. Tutin is a naturally occurring plant toxin that can appear at very low concentrations in some New Zealand honeys harvested during this window. Manuka honey is harvested predominantly before the end of December, which places it outside the mandatory tutin testing requirement by default. Where Tōtika harvests fall within the post-cutoff window, tutin testing is conducted as a matter of course before any batch is released. Our August 2025 post-cutoff batch tested at 0.111 mg/kg against the applicable composite standard of 0.23 mg/kg: a clear pass. --- ## Understanding the MGO Grading Scale The MGO number is a minimum guarantee. MGO 250+ means the honey contains at least 250 mg of methylglyoxal per kilogram. Tōtika Health’s range spans the full therapeutic spectrum: | Grade | Application Profile | Customer Profile | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | -------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------- | | [MGO 250+](https://www.totikahealth.co.nz/category/active-manuka-honey?ref=blog.totikahealth.co.nz) | Daily wellness, immune function, digestive support | Health-conscious daily users | | [MGO 550+](https://www.totikahealth.co.nz/category/active-manuka-honey?ref=blog.totikahealth.co.nz) | Consistent wellness routine, meaningful gifting | Wellness enthusiasts | | [MGO 650+](https://www.totikahealth.co.nz/category/active-manuka-honey?ref=blog.totikahealth.co.nz) | Therapeutic consistency; informed consumers | Informed wellness consumers | | [MGO 850+](https://www.totikahealth.co.nz/category/active-manuka-honey?ref=blog.totikahealth.co.nz) | Serious health investment; wound and skin support | Clinical users | | [MGO 1050+](https://www.totikahealth.co.nz/product-page/premium-manuka-honey-mgo-1050-umf23?ref=blog.totikahealth.co.nz) | Clinical applications, wound care, the apex grade | Clinicians, collectors | The appropriate grade depends entirely on what you are using the honey for. For general daily consumption, MGO 250+ delivers genuine bioactivity without unnecessary cost. For wound care or clinical support contexts, the evidence base points firmly toward MGO 800+. --- ## MGO, NPA, and UMF: How the Rating Systems Relate Three acronyms dominate manuka honey labelling. They measure the same underlying reality through slightly different lenses. MGO measures the direct concentration of methylglyoxal in mg/kg. It is the most precise and science-facing measurement, and it is the primary standard used by Tōtika Health. NPA (Non-Peroxide Activity) is expressed as a percentage, for example NPA 20+, and represents the antibacterial potency of the honey compared to a phenol solution of equivalent strength. NPA is directly correlated with MGO concentration. Our August 2025 results show NPA 21.5% corresponding to MGO 936 mg/kg. Our February 2026 results show NPA 16.2% corresponding to MGO 587 mg/kg. The relationship is consistent and linear across grades. UMF (Unique Manuka Factor) is a trademarked system that incorporates MGO, DHA, leptosperin (a marker of authentic manuka nectar origin), and HMF. UMF 20+ corresponds approximately to MGO 829+. We reference UMF where relevant for cross-system comparison, but MGO remains our primary rating system because it is the most direct measurement of the compound responsible for bioactivity. All three systems, when applied by an IANZ-accredited laboratory, are measuring the same underlying chemistry. The difference is in transparency: MGO tells you exactly what is in the jar, in milligrams, as measured by a calibrated instrument. --- ![Tōtika Health infographic: What Is MGO in Manuka Honey — potency scale from Everyday 100-200 to Research Grade 850-1000+, DHA to MGO conversion, antibacterial mechanisms, and how to choose the right grade. Bay of Islands, New Zealand.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/31/68/31682e39-782e-406f-8831-70347df006e3/content/images/2026/04/Propolis-skincare-nfograph2-2.png) Save and share — full science guide above. --- ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Does a higher MGO number always mean better honey? Higher MGO means greater antibacterial potency, not objectively better honey. For daily consumption, MGO 250+ delivers genuine health benefit. MGO 1050+ is appropriate for specific clinical or wound care contexts where maximum bioactivity is required. Buying the highest grade for toast is unnecessary. Buying MGO 250+ for wound care is insufficient. ### Can MGO levels change after I buy the honey? Yes, and significantly so. In honey with high residual DHA, MGO continues to increase during storage. As our laboratory data shows, an MGO 850+ batch (936 mg/kg at time of testing) stored at 20°C will reach 1,050 mg/kg within four months and continue to 1,450 mg/kg by 24 months. Stored at 34°C, the same honey will peak sooner and then decline. The MGO on your label is the certified minimum at time of testing. ### What is the difference between monofloral and multifloral manuka honey? Both are genuine manuka honey that have passed the MPI 5-attribute test. Monofloral means the honey comes predominantly from manuka nectar, producing higher and more consistent MGO concentrations. Multifloral means the honey includes a meaningful contribution from other floral sources, resulting in lower average MGO. The higher 3-PA values in our 850+ grade (1,280 mg/kg) compared to our 550+ grade (990 mg/kg) illustrate this directly. ### Is New Zealand manuka different from Australian manuka? Taxonomically, *Leptospermum scoparium* grows in both countries. Some Australian Leptospermum species also produce honey with NPA. The 2022 Green et al. study found that while Australian samples can show meaningful NPA, New Zealand manuka honeys demonstrated the highest and most consistent MGO concentrations. New Zealand also has the most established certification and regulatory framework, including the mandatory MPI 5-attribute standard. These are findings of peer-reviewed research, not marketing claims. ### How does Tōtika Health ensure MGO accuracy? Every Tōtika batch is tested by R J Hill Laboratories Limited in Hamilton, an IANZ-accredited facility. The 3-in-1 Honey Method (uHPLC/UV-Vis analysis) measures DHA, HMF, and MGO simultaneously from the same sample. MPI classification testing uses LC-MS/MS analysis for the four chemical markers and real-time PCR for manuka DNA quantification. All certificates are available upon request for any batch. --- ## Research and Development: Wound Care and Skin Infection Applications The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of high-grade MGO manuka honey have long been of interest to clinical researchers working in wound care, burns management, and skin infection treatment. Tōtika Health is currently engaged in active research and development in this area, exploring the application of certified MGO manuka honey in clinical settings. Further information will be made available as the programme develops. --- ## References ### Peer-reviewed research 1. Green KJ, Lawag IL, Locher C, Hammer KA (2022). Correlation of the antibacterial activity of commercial manuka and Leptospermum honeys from Australia and New Zealand with methylglyoxal content. *PLOS ONE*, 17(7), e0272376\. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0272376 2. Thierig M, Raupbach J, Wolf D, Mascher T, Subramanian K, Henle T (2023). 3-Phenyllactic acid and polyphenols are substances enhancing the antibacterial effect of methylglyoxal in manuka honey. *Foods*, 12(5), 1098\. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12051098 3. Hattingh A, et al. (2023). Combinatorial efficacy of manuka honey and antibiotics in the in vitro control of staphylococci and their small colony variants. *Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology*. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2023.1254402 4. Adams CJ, et al. (2008). Isolation by HPLC and characterisation of the bioactive fraction of New Zealand manuka (*Leptospermum scoparium*) honey. *Carbohydrate Research*, 343(3), 651–659. 5. Henle T (2008). Identification and quantification of methylglyoxal as the dominant antibacterial constituent of manuka honeys from New Zealand. Technical University of Dresden. ### Regulatory and certification sources 1. New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (2021). General Export Requirements for Bee Products. MPI Technical Papers 2017/30 and 2017/31 (modified). Wellington: MPI. 2. New Zealand Food Safety Authority. Food Standard: Tutin in Honey (2016). Wellington: NZFSA. 3. R J Hill Laboratories Limited (2025). Certificates of Analysis 3951021-hpmp-4v1, 3951021-hpmp-5v1, and 3951021-HGPv1\. IANZ Accredited Laboratory, Hamilton, New Zealand. Tested August 2025. 4. R J Hill Laboratories Limited (2026). Certificates of Analysis 4091693-hpmp-1v1 and 4091693-HGPv1\. IANZ Accredited Laboratory, Hamilton, New Zealand. Tested February 2026. Dr Isaac Flitta, PhD, is the Founder and CEO of Tōtika Health Limited, based in the Bay of Islands, Northland, New Zealand. A PhD holder in aerospace materials science, MPhil researcher in carbon fibre forearm fracture plates, and Founding Member FM00007 of the New Zealand Apiculture Industry Body, Dr Flitta combines scientific rigour with over a decade of apicultural practice. The Tōtika honey and [bioactive skincare range](https://www.totikahealth.co.nz/our-skincare?ref=blog.totikahealth.co.nz) are produced from [Bay of Islands hives](https://www.totikahealth.co.nz/our-story?ref=blog.totikahealth.co.nz) and certified by IANZ-accredited laboratories. Author of *Bee’s Guide to Honey* (forthcoming). [totikahealth.co.nz](https://www.totikahealth.co.nz/?ref=blog.totikahealth.co.nz) | [blog.totikahealth.co.nz](https://blog.totikahealth.co.nz/) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/31/68/31682e39-782e-406f-8831-70347df006e3/content/images/2026/04/Propolis-skincare-nfograph2-2.png)