Manuka honey for immune support this winter.
When the seasons turn, reach for Manuka. Here's what to take, when to take it, and what the habit actually feels like.
Which Manuka honey should I take in winter?
Start with a daily spoonful of UMF™ 15+ to 20+ every morning, straight off the spoon or on toast. When the season hits, step up to UMF™ 24+ to 26+ for a few days. For the commute or school run, keep Soothing Drops or Throat Spray in your pocket. Not for infants under 12 months.
Winter has a rhythm. So does your honey.
Not every day of winter feels the same, so not every spoonful needs to be the same either. Three grades, three moments — that's the whole system.
UMF™ 15+ to 20+
The everyday spoonful, straight off the spoon or on your toast. One every morning, all season long. This is the habit that holds everything else together.
Shop UMF™ 15+ →
UMF™ 24+ to 26+
You know the weeks. This is when you reachReach for a higher grade for a few days and give yourself more of what makes Manuka, Manuka.
Shop UMF™ 24+ →
In your pocket support for the commute, the office, the school run, and everywhere winter finds you.
Find your grade
Every grade shares the same provenance and testing. As the UMF™ number climbs, so does rarity, potency and price.
Manuka works best as a habit, not a rescue.
The people who get the most from it take it every single morning, without thinking about it. Here is what that looks like as the season goes on.
You settle into the routine and it quickly becomes the easiest, nicest part of your morning.
You stop thinking about it. Many people notice steadier energy and a more settled gut.
Your daily ritual is doing its quiet work in the background, and you head into the coldest weeks feeling more resilient.
The whole household is covered, and the season stops knocking you sideways the way it used to.
Four people who work here. Four winter rituals.
All parents know how bad the daycare and school bugs can be in winter. When sickness hits, everything gets thrown off — suddenly you're behind on work and the routine that usually holds everything together turns to chaos. When we feel something coming on, we up the UMF™ or MGO. The kids love the UMF™ 20+, and I'll pop a packet in their lunchboxes.
Her tip: Start kids on a UMF™ 15+ and work up if you need to.
Being active is non-negotiable for me. In winter the days get shorter and colder and motivation can dip, so I make sure I'm giving my body everything it needs. On mornings I train, I'll have a spoonful on my overnight oats or toast. On rest days I'll take it on an empty stomach, since it supports the microbiome in my gut.
Her tip: A higher MGO for a few days when the week is heavy.
My ritual is simple, and it's the same all year round. A daily spoonful of UMF™ 24+ on an empty stomach. It supports my immunity, supports my gut and gives me a lift every morning.
Her tip: Share it — she now supplies her parents, who travel a lot.
Through winter my skin gets so dry — heat pumps running constantly indoors, it feels unavoidable. My go-to ritual, alongside my daily spoonful, is a weekly Manuka honey mask. It leaves my skin feeling smooth and refreshed.
Her tip: Anything above UMF™ 20+ for the mask.
The weekly Manuka mask, in three steps.
- 1Cleanse your face. Make sure it's properly clean.
- 2Apply a thin layer of Manuka honey — anything above UMF™ 20+.
- 3Leave it, then remove with a warm cloth. Follow with your moisturiser or serum.
One box. The whole season covered.
Have it on hand before you need it. Every bundle costs less than the same products bought separately.
UMF™ 15+ Manuka, Soothing Drops and Manuka Throat Spray.
Shop the starter →
Daily jar, step up in grade, Soothing Drops, Throat Spray & Packets.
Shop the household kit →
Manuka honey in winter, answered
What UMF™ rating is best for immune support?
Most customers start with UMF™ 15+ (MGO 514+) or UMF™ 20+ (MGO 829+) for a daily winter spoonful, with UMF™ 10+ (MGO 263+) as a lighter everyday option. For a richer jar through the colder months, step up to UMF™ 24+ or 26+. Every grade is independently tested for MGO and authenticity.
Does Manuka honey support the immune system?
Manuka honey is a food, not a medicine. A daily spoonful as part of a balanced diet supports everyday wellness through the cooler months. Lab research has looked at its MGO and natural antioxidants, but research in people is still limited, so enjoy it alongside the basics: sleep, a varied diet, movement and fresh air.
How can I tell if Manuka honey is real?
Look for the UMF™ mark with a licence number on the label, check it's packed in New Zealand, and prefer a stated UMF™ grade over vague words like "active". Every one of our jars is UMF™ certified and batch-traceable by QR code, and we're #1 Rated Manuka Honey — ConsumerLab 2025.
Should Manuka honey go in hot tea?
Let your tea cool to a comfortable sipping temperature, around 40°C (104°F), before stirring in a spoonful. Boiling water won't make honey unsafe, but gentle warmth keeps its rich flavour and thick texture at their best. A spoonful in warm water with lemon is one of the most popular winter rituals.
Can children have Manuka honey?
Yes, from 12 months old. Children can enjoy a smaller spoonful on toast, in porridge or stirred into warm milk. Never give honey to babies under 12 months. Honey is a natural sugar, so it's best enjoyed with a meal and followed by brushing teeth. Ask your doctor if your child has any allergies.
Do I refrigerate Manuka honey after opening?
No. Keep it in a cupboard at room temperature with the lid closed, away from direct sunlight. The fridge makes honey thick and hard to spoon. Use a clean, dry spoon each time and it keeps for years. Small changes in colour or texture over time are natural.
When should you not take Manuka honey?
Don't give honey to babies under 12 months, and avoid it if you're allergic to bees, pollen or honey. It's a natural sugar, so check with your doctor if you manage diabetes or your blood glucose. And because it's a food, not a medicine, see a doctor about anything that worries you or lasts more than a few days.
More on Manuka honey for immune support
The best Manuka honey for immune supportRead more →
Your cold and flu season guide 2026/27Read more →
A warm Manuka honey immunity drinkRead more →
The best time of day to take Manuka honeyRead more →
Compare UMF™ grades: the strength guide →Which Manuka honey is right for me? Take the quiz →
