A nation of IBS sufferers

The National Library of Medicine states that IBS affects around 11% of the population globally.

No one with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) wants to hear, ‘it's all in your head’. Yet, too often those with IBS are told there is no explanation for their repeated bouts of abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhoea, and constipation. Not to mention, the anxiety and depression that often comes with it. New research from the University of Missouri School of Medicine has established a link between irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and low mood; such as anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation.

This study looked at more than 1.2 million IBS patient hospitalisations over three years and found that more than 38% had anxiety, and more than 27% had depression.

I’ve had irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) for three long years, and everything that comes with it; gastrointestinal reflux disease, heartburn, and low mood. In the past year, my symptoms became so debilitating that they started affecting my mental health. I’d find myself yo-yo-ing between diarrhoea and constipation, suffering with diarrhoea for three days, followed by a day or two of constipation, and then back to diarrhoea again. I’d be crippled over in agony, my stomach so bloated I’d look like I was nine months pregnant, and then three hours later, for no reason at all, it would be gone.


With this, my mental health suffered too. I was in a really dark place, depressed, riddled with anxiety and stress, and day-by-day it was snowballing. I didn’t want to get out of bed, and I couldn’t focus on my work. But I also didn’t want to take pharmaceutical medication because I’d been there before, and I found it made me worse, my anxiety heightened, I felt hyperactive, and it also made me drowsy. This time I needed something different, a natural remedy.

Desperate to find a cure for my IBS, I went online and read as much as I possibly could. I needed to find answers, but what I found surprised me. I thought IBS was a condition that was directly related to the food you put in your body, but it was so much bigger than that. What I learned was that an unhealthy gut can affect your brain, which can cause depression, anxiety, and irritable bowel syndrome. So if you're stressed, it can affect your digestive system. If you're depressed, it can affect your digestive system. And if you have anxiety, it too can affect your digestive system. Your stomach and your brain are directly connected, so I thought to myself if I can fix my gut, maybe I can cure my anxiety and depression.

While searching online, I came across an article that talked about Manuka honey and its amazing health benefits. I decided I had nothing to lose, and I started taking it twice daily to see if it would help alleviate my digestive issues, and improve my overall health. I knew that Manuka honey is a natural remedy for cuts and grazes, colds and sore throats, and reflux, but what I didn’t know was that it is a powerful natural source of prebiotic support, which can help build up the good bacteria in the gut. I googled the benefits of Manuka honey for IBS, mental health, and anxiety and that’s when I knew I had to give it a go.

I started using a different Manuka honey brand, but after discovering they were American-owned, I went searching for a New Zealand brand. That’s when I came across New Zealand Honey Co., and once I started to read the product reviews and testimonials on the website, I was sold.

On July 8, 2024, a jar of New Zealand Honey Co. UMF™ 26+ | MGO 1282+ arrived at my doorstep. I was impressed with its speedy delivery, and it was packaged beautifully. I began taking a teaspoon twice a day, morning and night, on an empty stomach. From what I've learned online, there are certain times of the day that are best to consume Manuka honey for optimal wellness, that your body absorbs the nutrients better on an empty stomach. On first impression, I found the consistency silky, and it tasted pure and authentic.

I don’t know if it was the first few days or the first week, but I felt like the darkness had disappeared. I felt lighter, and my mood had shifted. I wasn’t feeling irritable, stressed, or worried. I felt good. I had a new sense of optimism, focus, and productivity, and my sleep improved too. But mostly, I felt relief.

Because where I’d been, in that dark place, I’d been for far too long. All of the things I’d been putting off because I felt anxious or depressed, things like work and life admin, I no longer felt reluctant to do. And it was at that moment that I knew that Manuka honey had not only healed my IBS, but it had helped get my life back on track.

I’ve now been using New Zealand Honey Co. UMF™ 26+ | MGO 1282+ on a monthly subscription since July 8 2024, and it’s changed everything. I will tell anyone willing to listen about New Zealand Honey Co. Manuka honey. It sounds so simple, but I want everyone to try it. Just give it a shot. You have nothing to lose. If my story can help just one person, and Manuka honey does for them what it has done for me, I could potentially turn someone's life around. People think it's a lot of money to part with, but it’s nothing compared to how I’ve felt these last three months. You can not put a price on your health, which is why I'm considering upgrading my subscription to a UMF 28 plus MGO 1450+ once a month.

I’ve also convinced my Mother to start taking Manuka honey too as she's always been a little up and down with gastric issues. She’s going to try it for a month. I believe if it works for me, it’ll work for her too so New Zealand Honey Co. will have another customer soon.

Without Manuka honey I don't know where I'd be. I’m so grateful I found New Zealand Honey Co. when I did, Manuka honey has helped me get my life back on track. Today, I’m no longer living in agony or in the discomfort of constipation and diarrhoea, my anxiety and depression have disappeared and I’m feeling happy and healthy, like myself again. And all it took was two teaspoons of Manuka honey a day. That's it.

For years, Steve suffered from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), depression, stress, and anxiety, which had an effect on his relationships, his job, and his self-esteem. New Zealand Honey Co. Manuka honey became his lifeline, and we’re so thankful to Steve for sharing his story. If you're looking for a natural way to support your wellbeing, Manuka honey could be what you need to start feeling more like yourself. Explore our product range online online, or learn about the specific UMF™ grades to see which of our products is right for you.

We do not recommend Manuka honey as a replacement for seeking professional medical help. If you're feeling unwell, please seek medical advice and always consult medical professionals in an emergency.