Is Manuka honey suitable for children?

Cluster of small white flowers with dark centers on green foliage.

Jar of honey with a honey dipper next to wheat stalks on a wooden surface.

Is Manuka honey safe for children?

Before giving your child Manuka honey, you should know that raw honey is generally not suitable for babies under 12 months and young children . The reason for this is the small but present risk of botulism infection, which is caused by certain bacterial spores that can be found in honey. These spores are harmless for adults and older children, but babies' digestive systems are not yet strong enough to deal with them. Manuka honey is known for its positive properties, but here too: For older children and adults, It is safe and healthy, but you should be careful with babies and small children.

Manuka honey for children from 1 year

As soon as your child is at least 1 year old, you can use Manuka honey as a wonderful natural alternative. Many parents want a natural home remedy for their children that does not have any unpleasant side effects - and this is exactly where Manuka honey can help. Due to legal requirements, we are not allowed to describe exactly how Manuka honey works or what you can use it for with children, but we can give you an overview of how you can administer the honey and how much of it is recommended.

A smiling baby held by an adult near a window.

taking Manuka honey

Manuka honey is best taken pure if you want to use it internally. For children over 1 year old, 1 teaspoon per day is suitable . The longer the honey can dissolve in the mouth, the better the effect. You can also integrate Manuka honey into your child's diet every day over a longer period of time - 1 teaspoon per day is completely sufficient. In addition to taking it pure from a spoon, you can also dissolve 1-2 teaspoons of Manuka honey in a cup of warm tea (max. 40 degrees). This gives your child a naturally sweetened drink that not only tastes good, but is also very digestible.

Which MGO value is suitable for children?

When it comes to the MGO content in Manuka honey, it is important to use the correct MGO value based on the age of the child . Honeys with a high MGO content can cause stomach and intestinal problems in sensitive and inexperienced children. Therefore, we recommend using Manuka honey sparingly to start with. For children aged 1-10 years, we therefore recommend an MGO value of 200. Children from 10 years of age can already take a Manuka honey with an MGO value of 400+ to benefit from the health advantages.

Three jars of Manuka honey with varying MGO levels for different age groups.

Conclusion: Children can also benefit from the diverse health advantages

With Manuka honey you can do something good for your children. Its versatile health properties offer many ways to use it in everyday life. Manuka honey is a practical companion, and as long as you pay attention to the age limit, the correct MGO value for children and the daily dosage recommendation , you don't have to worry about giving it to your children. But please remember: Even the best Manuka honey is of course no substitute for a balanced diet or a visit to the doctor!