Raw honey is honey in its purest form—no pasteurization, no filtering, just natural nutrients packed inside. Manuka honey is a special kind of raw honey that comes from New Zealand and Australia, claimed to have strong antibacterial properties thanks to its high MGO content. IminoHoney is also a raw multifloral honey but with low MGO and high iminosugar. Raw honey has many forms as it depends what flowers the bees visit to collect nectar. Raw honey was traditionally used for wound healing before antibiotics and all raw honeys have antimicrobial and possibly other wound healing properties. Manuka honey has been most tested in recent years for topical wound healing use as a sterilised product that is therefore not strictly speaking a raw honey any longer.
What Raw Honey Means + Are Manuka and IminoHoney Raw Honeys?
When it comes to raw honey, we're talking about honey in its purest form—unpasteurized, unfiltered, and packed with all the natural goodness that honey bees produce. Raw honey is essentially how honey exists straight from the hive, retaining beneficial nutrients like enzymes, antioxidants, and pollen that often get stripped away during processing.
But what about Manuka honey? Is it also raw honey? The answer is yes, but with a twist. Manuka honey is indeed a type of raw honey, but it comes exclusively from bees that pollinate the Manuka bush, native to New Zealand and Australia. What sets it apart is its potent antibacterial properties, primarily due to a compound called methylglyoxal (MGO) although the studies are mainly laboratory tests. IminoHoney is a multifloral raw organic honey bringing together properties of more than one plant species but most importantly containing a measured iminosugar. So, while Manuka honey and IminoHoney are both forms of raw honey, all raw honey differs and has unique attributes.
What Makes Manuka Honey Different from IminoHoney?
Manuka honey is remarkable in having a very high MGO content. MGO is highly reactive and is what perhaps gives Manuka honey more powerful antibacterial properties in the laboratory setting but it isn't clear it has special benefits systemically when eaten. IminoHoney has low MGO which we believe makes it safer while not losing health benefits and adding extra via measured iminosugar content. Manuka honey via sterilised dressings has been used in burn units and other medical settings — and this traditional honey use deserves wider use due to the diverse components of honey with potential to reduce the growth of drug resistant bacteria and fungi including we believe the iminosugars that are not in Manuka honey; honey is a natural remedy with proven effectiveness.
All natural honey has antibacterial properties, but Manuka honey is unusual with its high MGO levels. But it is worth noting that this same MGO, while perhaps beneficial in killing bacteria, is a toxic compound, raising questions about its safety when consumed regularly.
Extra Uses for Raw Honey
Thanks to their unique properties, raw honeys have found their way into various health and beauty routines. From soothing sore throats and reducing coughs to being used as a natural skincare product, honey is celebrated for its versatility. The thick texture and rich composition of Manuka and IminoHoney make both ideal for topical applications, where they can help heal wounds, nourish damaged skin, and even combat acne.
But let’s not forget about raw honey in general. While they may not have the same level of MGO as Manuka honey, perhaps that is a good thing and all raw honey offers a wealth of benefits. They are excellent natural sweeteners with a complex mixture of small and large sugars, can be used in DIY skincare recipes, and are great remedies for minor burns and cuts.
At Least They Are Not Pasteurized
One thing Manuka honey, IminoHoney and other raw honeys have in common is that they are not pasteurized. Pasteurization involves heating honey to high temperatures, which extends its shelf life but may also reduce many of its beneficial nutrients. By choosing raw honey—whether it’s Manuka, IminoHoney or another variety—you’re opting for a product that retains its natural properties, including enzymes, antioxidants, and other health-boosting compounds.
This unpasteurized state means that both Manuka honey and raw honey are as close to nature as you can get. They’re both great choices if you’re looking for an organic and authentic honey that hasn’t been altered by processing.
Rarity - Why It Matters
Another significant difference between Manuka honey and more widely available raw honey is availability. Manuka honey is rare, produced only in certain parts of New Zealand and Australia . This rarity is part of what drives its high price and premium status. However, with rarity comes a higher risk of adulteration . Because of its high value, Manuka honey is often counterfeited. IminoHoney is also rare because of the seasonal flowering of the species containing the iminosugar collected by the bees and a sophisticated analysis in the UK is conducted to select those batches containing sufficient iminosugar for packaging to UK food standards in 5ml sachets.
IminoHoney: Raw Honey at Its Full Potential
While Manuka honey has strong consumer attention due to marketing, it’s not the only honey worth considering, especially if you’re looking for a natural product with real health benefits. Enter IminoHoney , a unique product that combines the best qualities of raw honey with the added benefits of iminosugars—a very rare group of compounds that support health in ways that Manuka honey can’t match.
IminoHoney is carefully selected for its low MGO content, helping to give confidence that it’s safe for regular consumption while still offering significant health benefits. It’s 100% natural, with a distinctive taste and colour, and it’s available in convenient single-portion sachets. Whether you’re looking to support your energy levels, enhance your immune system, or simply enjoy a delicious and authentic honey , IminoHoney represents raw honey at its full potential.
When comparing Manuka honey to other types of raw honey, it’s clear that each has its own strengths in terms of nutrients and other beneficial components. Manuka honey has widely acclaimed unique high MGO properties and can be a medicinal-grade honey but then is not a raw honey. Raw honey, on the other hand, offers a more accessible and versatile option, with a broad range of health benefits.
If you’re looking for a natural honey that goes beyond the basics, IminoHoney might just be the perfect fit. With its iminosugar content and carefully controlled MGO levels, IminoHoney offers the best of both worlds—a natural, authentic honey that supports your health without compromise.