Has anyone tried Manuka Honey for lung infections?

I have been reading about Manuka honey and it’s healing properties. I am going to add it daily to my diet. I don’t expect a cure, but maybe just a little help with symptoms.

@playadelcarmen Hello Diana -
Wouldn't it be wonderful if something so simple and natural as honey could treat and cure MAC and other lung infections? Unfortunately, nothing is quite that simple. Manuka honey has been discussed on this forum in the past, but it was in very early days of the research.

Here is a study using Manuka honey in combination with azithromycin in a nebulizer to fight M. Abscessus:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9703798/

Here was their conclusion: "Manuka honey is an effective antimicrobial against M. abscessus and has the potential to improve antibiotic activity. Combinations of azithromycin and manuka honey result in improved antimicrobial activity against M. abscessus isolates. The macrolide resistant M. abscessus subsp. bolletii exhibited growth inhibition in response to the combination and depending on the manuka honey bactericidal activity was also observed. "

The favorable results came from combining a SPECIFIC Manuka honey with an antibiotic and nebulizing it, and that it was tested with just a few strains of Mycobacteria. We should not leap to the conclusion that eating Manuka honey will in any way have a similar effect, especially since we do not know if the antibiotic properties survive in the intestinal tract.

Here is a good article about known, demonstrated benefits of using Manuka honey from the Cleveland Clinic:
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/manuka-honey-benefits.

Here is their conclusion:
"You can purchase manuka honey online and at most health food stores. Look for a rating, known as the Unique Manuka Factor or UMFTM. This rating indicates the concentration of MGO, DHA and leptosperin, a natural chemical found only in manuka honey.
So, how can you use manuka honey? Try applying manuka honey as a topical treatment over wounds or acne or put a few drops in your tea or on Greek yogurt.
However you use it, moderation is key.
“Manuka honey isn’t a cure-all,” notes Flora. “But it can be used alongside other kinds of conventional treatments.”"

Most of these beneficial effects named are topical - that is used on the skin, gums or wounds and to soothe a sore throat. Again, nothing about consumption of it helping our lungs.

What would I do? Stick with watchful waiting while using proven techniques like airway clearance and, if there is some MAC in your sputum, using 7% saline nebs to create an inhospitable environment for them to grow. Save the very pricy Manuka honey for sore throats and treating wounds (I wish I would have thought about it this winter when I had an infected leg wound)

Sue

I do not know about Manuka in treating MAC. I use it to help control my cough. I either put it in luke warm tea or eat about a 1/2 tsp straight from the jar. It has helped me when I am going to be in a situation where I do not want to cough. I purchase it from Costco. Everyone is different however. This is my experience.

P.S. An interesting video to watch is Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones, available on Netflix. There is a segment about residents of Ikaria who drink lots of herbal teas with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and the benefits of consuming nutritious raw honey. Worth watching.

I added Manuka honey to my diet (daily) for several months last year. I researched and bought the purest and most potent form of it (as this ranges from very weak to very strong). I thought that I’d give it an honest try with the best from that I could buy. It was very expensive and made absolutely no difference in my symptoms.

Your experience might be different and, if so, I’d love to hear about it!

hi kathyhg. I'm wondering. How did you use Manuka honey for several months? Was it added to a beverage, taking a spoonsful...? I keep some handy and take a spoonful for irritated throat as needed, etc.

It was for about 6 months. I ate it from a tablespoon, not diluted, and first thing in the morning so on an empty stomach and followed in 10-15 minutes with warm water plain or with a tiny squeeze of lemon (my morning beverage). I read (online) options for how to take it and decided that was the best option (for me).

I wish it had worked.

Sue- Thanks for the website and your including in your reply the conclusions. Right now as I read this I am doing warm boiled purified water with fresh ginger and honey and it, for me, does seem to lessen the thickness of the 'stuff'/ mucus that comes up into my throat. Could just be the warm water...however....I believe honey in general helps some. I also am trying different teas with the herbs I have growing....oregano, basil, catnip etc. All moderately to see how my body/airways/mucus/digestion responds. Thanks for all the information you have 'up your sleeve'.
Barbara

Hi, I found the Cleveland clinic art helpful re the pos aspects of Manuka honey. I will use it in my nitely tea. It’s tasty and hope it gives a little boost to my immunity. I am mtg with an ID dr on Monday . My Pulm wanted a consult with him re whether to begin tx with big 3. Pretty sure it’s going to be a go. My pulm sugg the 3 x week protocol. Based on my reading here, I will request one drug be added every 2 weeks along with blood work before and after to monitor kidney function, chemistries and cbc. But….based on my reading, I am concerned with my ability to cont to work. Has anyone been working while they cont treatment? If so what complications did you encounter if any? Thanks. Pam

Hi Pam,

I've been on the Big 3 since 9/22 with little or no symptoms. Since being on the Big 3, 3 times p/w I've had no colds, however, came down with Covid 2 x while being fully vaccinated. I take regular blood tests, check my eyesight and hearing every 3 to 6 months since beginning treatment. I did start Arikayce in 7/23 and was taken off in 4/24 because symptoms like a lower breathing capacity, continuous horse throat, fatigue and lots of coughing. It did help me turn positive but had outlived it's usefullness.
Hope this helps!
Flo @frankie160

That’s good news re no side effects from the antibiotics. Could you elaborate on the arikayce? Why was it added to your treatment? When you say it helped u turn positive, what does that mean? Thanks. Trying to learn the basics so thanks for your sharing .