KANUKA INFO
What is Kanuka
Kanuka is a type of tea tree, it forms a taller shrub/tree than Manuka and its flowers are smaller and more densely packed around the stem. The Kanuka (Kunzea) Species is often confused with its relative Manuka (Leptospermum). It has been established that there are ten distinct species of Kanuka all endemic to New Zealand. A very exciting and curious aspect to the Kanuka is its ability to adapt to its surrounding environment, ranging from geothermal fields to limestone cliffs. A characteristic sign of kanuka is tiger strips within jarred honey, this is due to its thick texture. flowers.
Kanuka health benefits
Kanuka honey is a wonderful anti-ageing ingredient because it contains very special compounds called arabinogalactans (AGP’s); and Kanuka has the highest AGP content of any New Zealand honey (including Manuka honey), and is therefore superior to Manuka for skincare issues. AGP is important because it has powerful anti-inflammatory properties, and persistent inflammation from conditions such as acne, eczema and rosacea is exceedingly detrimental to radiant skin.
Kanuka Honey also has a compound in it called Hydrogen Peroxide that gives it antimicrobial activity. This happens because of the oxidation power of hydrogen peroxide. It is able to destroy the DNA of the bacteria present. In contrast, production of hydrogen peroxide is suppressed in Manuka Honey due to the presence of methylglyoxal in Manuka Honey. The major antibacterial activity of Kanuka Honey is due to the hydrogen peroxide it contains. It has been shown that this ingredient can completely help in getting rid of bacteria such as E.Coli and S.aureus.
The Science
Unfortunately for Kanuka there is little science or resources in identifying this honey, only Analytica does what they call a Kanuka test where they measure the 3-PLA and Leptosperin. Both Manuka and Kanuka have 3-PLA and manuka only has Leptosperin (more is explained on this below). There are other factors in identifying Kanuka for example Beehives being next to Kanuka tree forests and when harvesting honey, Kanuka honey is extremely thick and a special pricking tool is needed to harvest it.
Moving on.. below are research links on Kanuka honey
( Kanuka honey versus aciclovir for the topical treatment of herpes simplex labialis: a randomised controlled trial
https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/9/5/e026201
Successful Treatment of Actinic Keratosis
https://www.hindawi.com/journals/cridm/2018/4628971/
Arabinogalactan proteins contribute to the immunostimulatory properties of New Zealand honeys
Randomised controlled trial of topical kanuka honey for the treatment of rosacea