The word "Mānuka" comes from the Maori language, which is the indigenous language of New Zealand. It is the name given to a small tree or shrub that is native to New Zealand, scientifically known as Leptospermum scoparium. The mānuka plant has cultural and medicinal significance in Maori tradition, and its nectar is used to produce the famous Manuka honey.
Manuka honey has a long and fascinating history that dates back centuries.
In the late 1700s, Captain James Cook, a British explorer, discovered the Manuka plant and observed the Maori people using it to treat various ailments.
In the mid-1800s, European settlers in New Zealand began using Manuka leaves to brew tea as an alternative to traditional tea leaves.
In 1839, Mary Bumby, a Methodist missionary, introduced honey bees to New Zealand, and it's believed that the first Manuka honey was produced near her apiary.
In the early 1900s, scientists discovered that Manuka honey had unique antibacterial properties that made it effective in treating wounds and infections.
In the 1980s, researchers at the University of Waikato in New Zealand identified a unique antibacterial compound in Manuka honey that they named "methylglyoxal" (MGO). They found that the higher the MGO content in the honey, the stronger its antibacterial activity.
In the years since, Manuka honey has become increasingly popular and is now recognized as a powerful natural remedy for a range of health issues, including sore throats, digestive problems, and skin infections.