Many people are battling sore throats and runny noses at this time of year. Finding an effective remedy can feel like an uphill struggle, but television physician Dr Hilary Jones has highlighted one surprising food that may help ease throat discomfort.
While honey has long been praised for soothing cold symptoms, Manuka honey offers even greater benefits. It contains high levels of Methylglyoxal (MGO) – a compound known for its antibacterial and antimicrobial qualities – which means it can help fight bacteria and infections. The latest Covid strains, Stratus and Nimbus, often cause a symptom known as “razor blade throats” – intense, painful soreness that’s proving particularly hard to shake, reports the Mirror.
According to Dr Hilary, Manuka the simple cupboard staple honey can help reduce the severity of this symptom. He said: “Current NHS Covid advice is to have a teaspoon of honey for a razor blade sore throat. I recommend Manuka honey as this particular honey has a soothing texture and unique measurable antibacterial qualities that can help calm sore throats and support a faster recovery with no side effects whatsoever except a lovely taste in the mouth.”
At Manuka Doctor, a company which Dr Hilary has collaborated with for nearly 10 years, customers can snap up Manuka honey products starting from £5.25. There are a wide range of different products to choose from, from squeezy honey to jars, and even special bundles to help with the symptoms of colds, flu and Covid.
For example, Manuka Doctor’s Immunity Bundle is now £19.50 down from £27.50, which includes Manuka honey lozenges, Immune Defence Spray, Immune Defence Syrup and High Strength Vitamin D Capsules. There is also the 100 MGO Twin Pack Squeezy Honey for £11.70 down from £14.70, which offers shoppers two squeezy bottles of high-quality Manuka honey packed with antioxidants and antibacterial properties.
Shoppers can also get the Manuka Lozenges on their own, with a triple pack available for £10.00, down from £10.50. The soothing Manuka honey and lemon lozenges with zinc help soothe sore throats with a delicious taste.
However, other brands also stock Manuka honey products. At Tesco, there’s the Hilltop Premium Manuka Honey 250+ MGO 225g jar for £12, which is made from 100% genuine New Zealand Manuka.
For anyone looking for a smaller sample to try it out, the Egmont Honey Manuka Honey MGO 40+ 40g jar is available for just £2 at Holland and Barrett. It’s described as ‘a rich complex tasting honey’ boasting antibacterial benefits.
Manuka Doctor’s range has attracted some devoted customers. One customer said: “I took Manuka honey every day during my episode of Covid. My sore throat improved, as did my recovery.”
Another commented: “Just love the strong taste, especially with Greek yoghurt. When I recently had COVID, I was having a tsp every day, very soothing for my throat.”
However, some shoppers have expressed a preference for jars of honey over squeezy bottles. One customer commented on the Manuka Doctor website: “I much prefer the jar, in the squeezy bottle it doesn’t seem like the same consistency, it might just be me.”
Another customer praised the Manuka Lozenges, stating: “Good size, quite lemony. Felt it didn’t need as much sugar. The manuka is sufficient.” Another said the they have a “lovely lemon taste with a proper honey centre that soothes the throat.”