What's the best Antibacterial Raw Honey?
January 02, 2025Customers are often asking us what's the best antibacterial honey you have?
Naturally, there’s a lot of talk about Manuka – but Manuka isn’t the only active honey type you can use as part of your armory to aid the fight against coughs and colds.
You can also use dark tree honeys – which tend to be more effective against sore throats and coughs than most lighter flower honeys (although there are exceptions, like Sidr).
The Raw Honey Shop specialises in bioactive honeys from small scale artisan beekeepers, whose bees create potent honeys from trees growing on wild mountains and deep in ancient forests, far from human activity.
These dark rich honeys with a beautiful deep flavour like stewed fruit - are a very good alternative to Manuka.
Government experts and independent studies have shown that honey can be more effective than over the counter medicines at tackling sore throats and coughs.
A landmark study in 2020 from Oxford University concluded:
“Honey is more effective and less harmful than usual care alternatives.”
Public Health England advised in 2018: Use Honey first for a cough.
Very little Oak honey is produced in the UK and so ours comes from wild remote areas of Northern Spain and Greece.
Antonio's Certified Organic Oak comes from a Biosphere Reserve high in the mountains north of Madrid, Spain. Antonio is a fourth-generation beekeeper and a pioneer of organic honey.
Antonio's raw oak honey is a unique type amongst the tree varieties. It has a deep earthy taste with lots of malt and a touch of smokiness - quite savoury and not as sweet as other varieties.
We send some of our honeys to a lab for a 'Total Activity test' and this measures the total antimicrobial activity of a honey.
This is done by testing a solution of a honey on a lab plate against the Staph Aureus bacteria. the honey is graded according to the amount of bacteria that the honey solution kills. Generally, the range that we see will be between 10 and 25 plus. This type of test is similar to the test used to grade Manuka Honey.
Its not just Oak honeys that have an active rating.
This Greek Sidr has an active rating of 21.
The main antibacterial activity is caused by a bee enzyme that creates hydrogen peroxide in the honey.
Please bear in mind that the Activity Level is at its highest when we test it and will decrease over time.
This will happen faster if the honey is exposed to light and heat. Storing the honey in a dark cool place will help to slow down the rate at which the Activity Level decreases.
This activity test is expensive as the only way of getting accurate results is under lab conditions. We can't therefore test all of our honeys but ......
Why Trust The Raw Honey Shop for Your Antibacterial Honey Needs?
Sourcing Antibacterial Honey requires a dedication to purity and authenticity, and that is precisely what The Raw Honey Shop offers. Our Antibacterial Honey is sourced from trusted beekeepers who nurture their hives in pristine environments, ensuring that the honey’s natural qualities are preserved and enhanced.
We understand the importance of verification and authenticity, especially when it comes to honey with medicinal properties. Therefore, our is tested and certified, ensuring that you receive a product that is not only effective but also meets the highest standards of quality and purity.
One of the finest Active honeys we have at the moment is Raw Greek Organic Bioactive Forest Honey Active 23.5 from Mount Kissavos in Central Greece.
Discover this exceptional Active 23.5 Organic Forest Honey, crafted by the bees of Kostas, a master beekeeper with decades of expertise and a legacy rooted in Greek beekeeping traditions.
Harvested from the unspoiled forests of Mount Kissavos, a Natura 2000 Reserve, this honey boasts a rich, dark treacly flavour and a bioactive rating of 23.5, showcasing its powerful antibacterial properties. Perfect for culinary, health, and wellness uses, this raw, unpasteurised honey is a testament to the pristine biodiversity of Greece.
A rich and bold honey with treacly depth, combining earthy notes from Oak and Chestnut trees with delicate floral hints from wild mountain herbs like oregano and chamomile. Its complexity makes it both satisfying and versatile for a variety of uses.
Kostas is not only a master beekeeper but a cornerstone of the Greek beekeeping community. As a former head of the Greek Beekeepers Association, Kostas brings unmatched expertise to his craft. His dedication to sustainability and traditional methods ensures that each jar reflects the highest quality. His passion for bees extends to his family—his daughter is pursuing a PhD in social insects, continuing their legacy of excellence in beekeeping.
Honey from The Raw Honey Shop is always:-
- Raw, unpasteurised (not heated) and incredibly tasty.
- Unheated, enzyme-rich and all natural.
- From wild mountains and remote forests free from pesticides, herbicides and fungicides
- Produced by the happy bees of small-scale artisan beekeepers
- Natural bioactive properties