Seven Types of Honey and Their Health Benefits

7 Types of Honey and Their Health Benefits

1. Manuka Honey

Manuka honey comes from bees that visit the manuka bush in New Zealand and Australia. It has special germ-fighting powers that other honey types don't have.

Health Benefits:

• Helps heal cuts, burns, and wounds

• Fights harmful germs, even ones that medicine can't kill

• Soothes sore throats and helps fight throat bugs

• Helps with stomach problems and heartburn

• Helps keep teeth and gums healthy

Manuka honey has grades called UMF or MGO. Higher numbers mean it works better at fighting germs.

Where to Find It:

• Health food stores

• Fancy food shops

• Online stores like Amazon

• Some grocery stores in their special food section

• Websites that sell New Zealand products

2. Buckwheat Honey

This honey is dark and tastes rich like molasses. It comes from the small pink and white flowers of buckwheat plants.

Health Benefits:

• Full of things that fight cell damage

• Really good for stopping coughs works well for kids

• Helps your body fight off sickness

• May help keep your blood healthy

• Has iron and other good things your body needs

Where to Find It:

• Farmers' markets where buckwheat grows

• Local beekeepers in the northeast US, Canada, and parts of Europe

• Stores that sell many types of honey

• Some health food stores

• Stores that sell Polish or Russian foods

3. Acacia Honey

This honey comes from black locust trees. It's very light in color, tastes mild, and stays liquid longer than other honeys.

Health Benefits:

• Easy on upset stomachs

• Doesn't spike blood sugar as much as other sweets

• Helps good gut bugs grow

• Soothes coughs and sore throats

• Has things that help keep your heart healthy

Where to Find It:

• European food stores

• Online honey sellers

• Fancy food shops

• Some health food stores

• From beekeepers in places with black locust trees

4. Clover Honey

This is the most common honey in North America. It comes from the small flowers of clover plants.

Health Benefits:

• Has things that fight cell damage

• Helps calm swelling in the body

• Helps heal skin when put on cuts or burns

• Has small amounts of vitamins and minerals

• May help with allergies if it's made near where you live

Where to Find It:

• Most grocery stores

• Farmers' markets all over North America

• Local beekeepers

• Stores where you can buy food in bulk

• Online shops

5. Orange Blossom Honey

This honey comes from the flowers of orange trees. It has a light citrus smell and taste.

Health Benefits:

• Has vitamin C and other good plant stuff

• Helps your body fight off sickness

• Has things that help calm swelling in the body

• May help you sleep if you eat it before bed

• Fights damage to cells in your body

Where to Find It:

• Fancy food stores

• Farmers' markets in places where oranges grow (Florida, California)

• Shops that sell many kinds of honey

• Online honey sellers

• Tourist shops in places where oranges grow

6. Tupelo Honey

This rare honey comes from tupelo trees in Florida and Georgia. It has a light color and a buttery taste.

Health Benefits:

• Gets into your blood more slowly, which may help people with sugar problems

• Stays liquid naturally, rarely gets solid

• Has lots of things that fight cell damage

• Gives long-lasting energy because of its special sugars

• May help keep blood sugar more steady than other sweets

Where to Find It:

• Fancy honey shops

• Beekeepers in the Southeast United States

• Farmers' markets in Florida and Georgia

• Online shops that sell special honey

• Tourist shops in the Apalachicola River area

7. Heather Honey

This honey comes from heather plants that grow on open land in Scotland, Ireland, and parts of northern Europe. It has a strong taste and is thick like jelly.

Health Benefits:

• Has more protein than other honeys

• Full of plant stuff that fights cell damage

• Used for a long time to help with pee problems

• Helps with breathing problems

• Has lots of iron and other minerals

Where to Find It:

• British and Scottish food shops

• European fancy food stores

• Online shops that sell special honey

• Beekeepers in Scotland, England, Ireland, and northern Europe

• Stores that bring in food from other countries

Good Things About All Honey

All types of honey share some healthy traits:

• Fight germs naturally

• Help stop coughs

• Help wounds heal

• Feed good gut bugs

• Fight cell damage (though some types do this better than others)

For the best honey:

• Check local farmers' markets

• Buy from beekeepers near you

• Join farm programs that include honey

• Visit honey festivals and food fairs

• Buy straight from the people who keep bees

Raw honey that hasn't been heated or filtered too much keeps more of its healthy stuff. Some people think local honey helps with pollen allergies, but we don't have strong proof of this yet.