EDUCATION
September 18, 24

Manuka Honey for Breast Cancer

EDUCATION

10 minute read

Essential Takeaways

A 2024 pre-clinical trial has confirmed that Manuka honey offers anticancer properties. In the study, Manuka honey triggered an 84% reduction in tumour growth in estrogen receptor-positive cancer cells (the most common type of breast cancer) in mice without any significant side effects or impacts on healthy cells.

Traditional treatments for breast cancer include endocrine (hormone) therapy and chemotherapy. These options are well known for their unpleasant side effects, from hair loss to exhaustion, mood swings, hot flashes, and “chemo brain”. Manuka honey could offer a natural, non-invasive solution that complements existing options, according to trial results.

From the reduction and destruction of cancer cells to cutting off their signal pathways, these findings lay the foundations for further research into using Manuka honey to help treat one of the deadliest cancers in the world. Until further testing is undertaken, Manuka honey should be considered a supplement for use alongside existing treatments, not a replacement.

Before undertaking any new form of cancer treatment, make sure to seek advice from your medical professional. If you decide to purchase Manuka honey, opt for a genuine, high-grade, monofloral product from New Zealand like ours for the best results.

Disclaimer: This article is based primarily on a 2024 pre-clinical trial that tested the effects of Manuka honey on estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer cells. However, this should not be taken as medical advice. If you are considering whether to use Manuka honey for cancer treatment, we recommend that you speak with your physician first.

Research has found that Manuka honey may help to treat one of the deadliest cancers in the world¹.

The most common form of breast cancer is traditionally treated with endocrine (hormone) therapy, which can be extremely effective.

In some cases, however, patients develop resistance, and many lose their lives as a result².

Researchers have been exploring the potential of Manuka honey as a supplement to the existing range of cancer treatments, and the results are very exciting.

Here’s what they’ve found and how Manuka honey works against breast cancer.

In this blog about Manuka honey in breast cancer research:

Manuka honey for breast cancer treatment
Manuka honey in cancer research
The best Manuka honey for cancer recovery
How to identify authentic Manuka honey

Manuka Honey as a Breast Cancer Treatment

A 2024 pre-clinical trial led by UCLA has found that Manuka honey could be an effective, natural solution for treating estrogen-receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer. This is where cancer cells feed off the estrogen hormone to grow³.

With ER-positive breast cancer accounting for around 70-80% of diagnoses, it is the most common form of breast cancer and one of the leading causes of death for women throughout the world¹.

The key findings of the study were²:

Manuka honey triggered an 84% reduction in tumour growth in ER-positive cancer cells in mice without any major side effects or impacts on healthy cells.

Manuka honey reduced the signalling pathways AMPK/AKT/mTOR and STAT3, which are associated with tumour growth and survival.

Manuka honey reduced the proliferation of cancer cells without compromising the normal healthy cells.
Manuka honey treatment of ER-positive MCF-7 cells enhances the antitumor action of tamoxifen when used together.

So what does this all mean?

In short, adding Manuka honey to samples of cancer cells (in vitro) and affected mice (in vivo) led to the death of a specific type of breast cancer cells without affecting the healthy cells. In the pre-clinical trial, it was most effective against MCF-7, a breast cancer line commonly used in research.

When Manuka honey was used in combination with tamoxifen (a type of hormone therapy), the effects were even greater.

The best treatment to date has been anti-estrogen (endocrine) therapy, but there’s a problem. The study explains:

“Endocrine therapy has proven to be one of the most effective targeted treatments for breast cancers (BCs) that express ERs and has accounted for significant improvement in progression-free and overall survival of BC patients over the past two decades.

However, a proportion of patients with early diagnoses, and essentially most patients with metastatic BC, ultimately become resistant to available endocrine therapies.”

Manuka honey inhibits human breast cancer progression in preclinical models².

And sadly, this resistance dramatically impacts survival rates:

“Endocrine resistance is a major factor contributing to breast cancer being the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide.”

Preliminary study shows the potential of Manuka honey as a nutraceutical for breast cancer, Science Daily¹.

As our medications have become more sophisticated and widespread, so has cell resistance. As a result, researchers are exploring more natural, holistic therapies.

There has been interest in Manuka honey as a nutraceutical (foods that offer health benefits besides nutrition) for decades thanks to its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.

In fact, doctors and vets already use Manuka honey for serious wounds in people and animals because it works as well as many antibiotics and doesn’t contribute to the antibiotic resistance crisis⁴.

And now, researchers are focusing on its potential for cancer treatment:

“New research has shown that Manuka honey, long known for its antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, is also rich in compounds like flavonoids, phytochemicals, complex carbohydrates, vitamins, amino acids, and minerals.

These compounds have demonstrated anticancer potential at a molecular level by inhibiting pathways activated in cancer that induce tumour cell proliferation, growth, and metastasis.”

Preliminary study shows the potential of Manuka honey as a nutraceutical for breast cancer, Science Daily¹.

What does honey do to cells?

Manuka honey is pro-apoptotic². This means that it can encourage the destruction of toxic cells in the body, like cancer, all without impacting the healthy human cell tissue¹. The more Manuka honey used, the greater the reduction in cell growth¹.

It also reduces the signalling pathways that help tumours to survive and grow, cutting them off from each other¹. And it enhances the effects of traditional treatments like tamoxifen, a common antiestrogen drug used against ER-positive breast cancer⁵.

“The findings provide hope for development of a natural, less toxic alternative to traditional chemotherapy.

Although more research is necessary to fully understand the benefits of natural compounds in cancer therapy, this study establishes a strong foundation for further exploration in this area.”

Dr. Diana Marquez-Garban, associate professor of medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, and the study’s first author⁵.

What is the anticancer mechanism of honey?

Cancer cells survive by multiplying, spreading, and tricking our bodies into ignoring them. Manuka honey works against all three of these things.

The study has found that Manuka honey helps the body recognise these dangerous cells and destroy them, cuts off their signalling so they can’t communicate, and even boosts the effects of other treatments.

Pretty impressive for a jar of bee food!

VIEW UMF 24+

Manuka Honey in Cancer Research

This 2024 study is not the first to examine Manuka honey for cancer care.

Here’s what some of the others have found:

This 2023 study looked at using honey for bone and breast tissue health, and its impact against cancer. It found that honey can reduce the number, growth rate, volume, and weight of tumours in animals. It shows immunomodulatory properties, which can help the body fight off these toxic cells⁶.
This 2014 review summarised numerous studies' findings about honey's impacts on cancer cells. It found that honey can inhibit cancer growth at the molecular level at every stage, from “initiation” and “promotion” to “progression”. It also found honey to be selectively destroying cancer cells and not healthy human tissues⁷.
This 2013 study using mice and human breast cancer cells found that using Manuka honey alone, tumour growth was reduced by ⅓. Using it in combination with other treatments doubled this impact⁸. This study proposes that Manuka honey could help alleviate chemotherapy's negative side effects on the body.
This 2003 study tested the impacts of honey against bladder cancer cells. A significant reduction in cell growth was identified when the honey was ingested orally and directly into the cancerous area⁹.

These studies are just the tip of the iceberg and could make all the difference to cancer patients in the future.

Endocrine therapy can have unpleasant side effects like hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings and vaginal dryness¹⁰.

Chemotherapy takes this a step further and can cause exhaustion, breathlessness, hair loss, cognitive changes, sensitive skin and nails, and much more¹¹.

Natural remedies like Manuka honey could help to make cancer treatment much healthier and more comfortable without compromising results.

“It may be possible that Manuka honey’s long list of ‘anti-‘ benefits — antibacterial, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory — could grow longer with ‘antitumor,’ ‘antiproliferative,’ and ‘antimetastatic’ effects possibly being added.

This powerful gooey liquid native to bees from New Zealand that pollinate the Manuka bush is Mother Nature’s gold and has the potential to assist in conventional breast cancer treatment minus the harsh toxic side effects.”

Monique Richard, registered dietitian nutritionist and owner of Nutrition-In-Sight¹².

Can you take honey if you have cancer?

Numerous studies have found that honey has anticancer properties. It can inhibit the growth of cells and their signalling pathways, as well as help the body to recognise them as toxic and destroy them.

Pre-clinical trials and research studies have found Manuka honey to be effective both in isolation and in combination with traditional treatments for specific types of cancer. While the potential for using manuka honey in combatting cancer is exciting and potentially transformational, it’s important not to generalise the findings. Make sure to speak with your medical professional before taking Manuka honey to support your cancer treatment.

Are honey and Manuka honey carcinogenic?

No. There is a lot of scientific evidence now that pure Manuka honey has anticancer properties and may be a viable alternative to treatments like hormone therapy and chemotherapy.

More research needs to be done, but studies have found that honey can stop the growth of cancer cells, cut off their signalling pathways, and trigger the body to destroy them.

Which is the best anticancer honey?

Manuka honey offers the greatest potency of antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties over other honey types and has been found to reduce and destroy cancer cells. It’s also the most regulated honey in the world, so it’s safest to use this honey for medical purposes in general.

Make sure that you opt for UMF™-graded Manuka honey to get an authentic, pure product with a verified potency level.

VIEW UMF 26+

The Best Manuka Honey for Cancer Recovery

The honey used in this 2024 study was monofloral Manuka honey from New Zealand.

This type of honey has been hailed specifically for its unique potency of antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

There is evidence that Manuka honey can benefit our bodies in many ways, from healing infected wounds safely and treating digestive problems to managing allergies, boosting sex drive, balancing hormones, working out, losing weight, easing arthritis and generally taking care of the immune system.

To protect the integrity of this incredible health and wellness product, an independent grading system was created.

The Unique Manuka Factor (UMF™) grading system rates batches of Manuka honey by their antibacterial potency.

Methylglyoxal (MGO) is the key compound associated with the antibacterial activity of Manuka honey, so grades are primarily based on how much MGO is in each batch.

If you’re looking for a daily dose of goodness for general health, then a lower grade of Manuka honey is fine.

But if you want the best healing potential of Manuka honey for an illness like cancer, opt for the highest grades available. These grades have the highest concentrations of beneficial natural compounds:

Here are over 170 ways that you can use your Manuka honey.

And here are some tips for when to eat Manuka honey for the best results.

VIEW UMF 28+

Make Sure That The Manuka Honey You Buy Is Authentic

If you're considering Manuka honey as a natural way to support your cancer treatment, it’s important to ensure that you’re getting the real deal.

Due to the widespread demand and limited seasonal supply, there are many fake, diluted and adulterated Manuka honey products on the market.

Here are a few signs that you’re getting a genuine, pure, trustworthy Manuka honey:

The product is UMF™ certified. This guarantees you’re getting a jar of monofloral Manuka honey that has been independently tested to the highest international standards.
It was produced and packaged in New Zealand. Strict export regulations are in place to protect consumers and the local industry’s reputation.
You can trace the origins of your honey back to its source, and the supplier provides a high level of transparency.
The brand is trusted and well-established, with plenty of positive reviews.

Our Manuka honey range ticks all of these boxes.

Here’s what a few of our customers have said about using New Zealand Honey Co. Manuka honey for various types of cancer:

“I used it for chemotherapy, cancer treatment is very good for preventing inflammation.”

Verified buyer | Manuka Honey UMF™ 24+ | MGO 1122+

“My daughter was diagnosed with bone cancer. The chemo was harsh and we were told it would cause painful mouth sores. So when I read that manuka honey is clinically proven to treat and prevent CIOM (chemo induced oral mucositis), I had to try it. Through 6 months of chemo she never had the first mouth sore. It also helped with her immune system and weight maintenance. We love it. And it will always be in our home.”

Verified buyer | Manuka Honey UMF™ 15+ | MGO 514+

“My sister has greatly suffered from tongue cancer. She has pain in her mouth constantly. I took her a jar of the honey and it calmed her mouth almost instantly. I am going to order one for myself since I suffer from chronic infections as a result of radiation to my face.”