Can Manuka Honey Help with Psoriasis?

This article is general information about a food product and is not medical advice. Psoriasis is a medical condition — please work with your doctor or dermatologist on diagnosis and treatment.

Can Manuka Honey Help with Psoriasis?

If you live with psoriasis, you'll know the search for relief can feel endless. Manuka honey often comes up in natural-wellness conversations thanks to its natural antibacterial and soothing qualities. So what does the research actually say?

What makes Manuka honey special

Manuka honey comes from the nectar of the Manuka tree (Leptospermum scoparium) and contains methylglyoxal (MGO), the compound we grade and certify.

What the studies say

Evidence specific to psoriasis is limited. A 2017 study on atopic dermatitis (eczema) reported improvement in honey-treated lesions (Alangari et al.). A 2016 randomised trial of Kanuka honey for psoriasis found it was soothing but did not outperform a standard cream (Fingleton et al.). An older study of a honey-beeswax-olive oil mix reported reduced scaling and redness, though topical steroids remained more effective (Al-Waili 2003). Reviews also note Manuka's antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, a bacterium that can affect cracked skin (Johnston et al. 2018).

The honest summary: Manuka honey has qualities — soothing, hydrating and antibacterial — that researchers find interesting, but there is no strong evidence it treats psoriasis, and it is not a cure.

If you'd like to try it

• Choose a certified MGO grade (250+) and genuine NZ honey.
• Patch-test a small area first; some skin may react to the stickiness or acidity.
• It can be messy — many people mix it with a neutral moisturiser.
• Keep using any treatment your doctor has prescribed.

Manuka honey is a food, and we make no medical claims about it.

These statements have not been evaluated by regulators. This product is a food and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

References

1. Al-Waili, N., et al. (2013). Honey in dermatology and skin care: A review. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 12(4), 306-313.
2. Alangari, A. A., et al. (2017). Honey is potentially effective in the treatment of atopic dermatitis. Immunity, Inflammation and Disease, 5(2), 190-199.
3. Fingleton, J., et al. (2016). A randomised controlled trial of topical Kanuka honey for psoriasis.
4. Al-Waili, N. S. (2003). Topical honey, beeswax and olive oil mixture for atopic dermatitis or psoriasis. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 11(4), 226-234.
5. Johnston, M., et al. (2018). Antibacterial activity of Manuka honey and its components: An overview. AIMS Microbiology, 4(4), 655-664.