Meet kanuka, set to make an impact on the way we treat chronic conditions, such as rosacea and acne, thanks to its unique antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Kanuka’s honey comes from the bees that buzz around the Aotea kanuka tree, a tea tree similar to that from which manuka honey is harvested, exclusively found in New Zealand.
“[Kanuka] has many topical applications, which will bring relief to people who suffer from atopic skin diseases such as eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, rosacea, acne and cold sores,” explains nutritionist Carmen Alvarado. The honey, which is lower in sugar and less bitter in taste than manuka, also has the potential to promote good gut health and help fight infections such as sore throats and urinary tract infections, Alvarado says.
Like its close relative, manuka honey, the by-products from the kanuka tree have antibiotic properties that have researchers excited about the role they could play in the global fight against antibiotic resistance.
Since studies were first conducted in 2015, investigating the success of 100 per cent medical-grade kanuka honey as a treatment for rosacea, a New Zealand company, Sven’s Island, has been adding the rare ingredients to its skincare range. Another New Zealand company, HoneyLab, has developed a product for treating acne, using a combo of kanuka honey and glycerine, which makes it less sticky. What a beauty!
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