Some initial anecdotal evidence suggests that manuka honey may be an effective home remedy for psoriasis, an autoimmune condition that causes inflamed, itchy, dry patches of skin. While there’s no cure, many experts recommend combining at-home and medical treatments to help manage symptoms.
StefaNikolic / Getty Images
How Manuka Honey Treats Psoriasis
Because manuka honey appears to impact the immune system and reduceinflammation, some experts suggest it could helpmanage psoriasis.
Effects on the Immune System
Other types of honey, including acacia and fir honeydew, positively impact the immune system.Researchers theorize that this happens when its sugars are fermented during the digestion process.
Some animal studies suggest that manuka honey may have a supportive role inboosting immune system responses. However, additional evidence in human trials is needed to confirm these potential benefits and how they relate to psoriasis disease activity.
Effects on Inflammation
While manuka honey may not treat the underlying causes of psoriasis, it may help reduce inflammation in variousskin conditions.Research suggests that manuka honey:
One animal study found that manuka honey compounds may combat inflammation associated with psoriasis patches. It might also support theskin’s barrier, allowing it to remain moisturized.Other research found applyingraw honeyto psoriasis patches may improve skin inflammation symptoms.
Effects on Other Skin Conditions
Several studies found that manuka honey may benefit other skin conditions besides psoriasis. These include:
A Word From VerywellManuka honey has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties. All of these help alleviate psoriasis symptoms to varying degrees. As with all OTC products, if the symptoms do not respond or if they worsen, see a dermatologist for help.—WILLIAM TRUSWELL, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A Word From Verywell
Manuka honey has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties. All of these help alleviate psoriasis symptoms to varying degrees. As with all OTC products, if the symptoms do not respond or if they worsen, see a dermatologist for help.—WILLIAM TRUSWELL, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Manuka honey has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties. All of these help alleviate psoriasis symptoms to varying degrees. As with all OTC products, if the symptoms do not respond or if they worsen, see a dermatologist for help.
—WILLIAM TRUSWELL, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Are There OTC Treatments?
While apsoriasis treatment planwill vary based on the individual, there are over-the-counter (OTC) treatment options available, including:
A healthcare provider (typically adermatologist, a specialist in skin, hair, and nail conditions) can help decide which OTC psoriasis treatments are right for you. A tool known as the Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PSAI) helps them measure the severity of a particular psoriasis case.
Other Home Remedies
Home remedies for psoriasis can often serve as complementary tactics to standard medical treatment. Here are a few options:
While home remedies (and OTC options) may temporarily soothe psoriasis, they are typically best used along with standard medical treatment. A healthcare provider can assist with building these strategies into your current treatment plan.
Summary
Some studies suggest that manuka honey may help reduce skin inflammation. This could be beneficial for inflammatory skin conditions like psoriasis, which causes dry, itchy, scaly, inflamed patches on the body.
While additional research is needed to confirm manuka honey’s potential role in treating psoriasis, check with a healthcare provider before trying this or other home remedies.
20 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Johnston M, McBride M, Dahiya D, et al.Antibacterial activity of manuka honey and its components: an overview.AIMS Microbiol. 2018;4(4):655-664. doi:10.3934/microbiol.2018.4.655Ranneh Y, Akim AM, Hamid HA, et al.Honey and its nutritional and anti-inflammatory value.BMC Complement Med Ther. 2021;21(1):30. doi:10.1186/s12906-020-03170-5McLoone P, Oluwadun A, Warnock M, Fyfe L.Honey: A therapeutic agent for disorders of the skin.Cent Asian J Glob Health. 2016;5(1):241. doi:10.5195/cajgh.2016.241Samarghandian S, Farkhondeh T, Samini F.Honey and health: A review of recent clinical research.Pharmacognosy Res. 2017;9(2):121-127. doi:10.4103/0974-8490.204647Kapoor N, Yadav R.Manuka honey: A promising wound dressing material for the chronic nonhealing discharging wounds: A retrospective study.Natl J Maxillofac Surg. 2021;12(2):233-237. doi:10.4103/njms.NJMS_154_20Alangari AA, Ashoori MD, Alwan W et al.Manuka honey activates the aryl hydrocarbon receptor: Implications for skin inflammation.Pharmacol Res. 2023;194:106848. doi:10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106848Mohammed H.Anti-inflammatory properties of raw honey and its clinical applications in daily practice.Qatar Med J. 2022;2022(2):27. doi:10.5339/qmj.2022.fqac.27Semprini A, Braithwaite I, Corin A et al.Randomised controlled trial of topical kanuka honey for the treatment of acne.BMJ Open.2016;6(2):e009448. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2015-009448Alangari AA, Morris K, Lwaleed BA et al.Honey is potentially effective in the treatment of atopic dermatitis: Clinical and mechanistic studies.Immun Inflamm Dis.2017;5(2):190-199. doi:10.1002/iid3.153Braithwaite I, Hunt A, Riley J et al.Randomised controlled trial of topical kanuka honey for the treatment of rosacea.BMJ Open. 2015;5(6):e007651. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2015-007651American Academy of Dermatology.What psoriasis treatments are available without a prescription?National Psoriasis Foundation.Over-the-counter topicals.American Academy of Dermatology.Psoriasis treatment: corticosteroids you apply to the skin.National Psoriasis Foundation.Moisturizers meant for you.Leonardi C,See K, Gallo G, et al.Psoriasis severity assessment combining physician and patient reported outcomes: The optimalpsoriasis assessment tool.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2021;11(4):1249-1263. doi:10.1007/s13555-021-00544-6National Psoriasis Foundation.Integrative approaches to care.Zheng Q, Sun XY, Miao X, et al.Association between physical activity and risk of prevalent psoriasis: A MOOSE-compliant meta-analysis.Medicine (Baltimore). 2018;97(27):e11394. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000011394Graubard R, Perez-Sanchez A, Katta R.Stress and skin: an overview of mind body therapies as a treatment strategy in dermatology.Dermatol Pract Concept. 2021;11(4):e2021091. doi:10.5826/dpc.1104a91Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Alliance.Psoriasis and the sun.Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Alliance.Emollients and psoriasis.
20 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Johnston M, McBride M, Dahiya D, et al.Antibacterial activity of manuka honey and its components: an overview.AIMS Microbiol. 2018;4(4):655-664. doi:10.3934/microbiol.2018.4.655Ranneh Y, Akim AM, Hamid HA, et al.Honey and its nutritional and anti-inflammatory value.BMC Complement Med Ther. 2021;21(1):30. doi:10.1186/s12906-020-03170-5McLoone P, Oluwadun A, Warnock M, Fyfe L.Honey: A therapeutic agent for disorders of the skin.Cent Asian J Glob Health. 2016;5(1):241. doi:10.5195/cajgh.2016.241Samarghandian S, Farkhondeh T, Samini F.Honey and health: A review of recent clinical research.Pharmacognosy Res. 2017;9(2):121-127. doi:10.4103/0974-8490.204647Kapoor N, Yadav R.Manuka honey: A promising wound dressing material for the chronic nonhealing discharging wounds: A retrospective study.Natl J Maxillofac Surg. 2021;12(2):233-237. doi:10.4103/njms.NJMS_154_20Alangari AA, Ashoori MD, Alwan W et al.Manuka honey activates the aryl hydrocarbon receptor: Implications for skin inflammation.Pharmacol Res. 2023;194:106848. doi:10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106848Mohammed H.Anti-inflammatory properties of raw honey and its clinical applications in daily practice.Qatar Med J. 2022;2022(2):27. doi:10.5339/qmj.2022.fqac.27Semprini A, Braithwaite I, Corin A et al.Randomised controlled trial of topical kanuka honey for the treatment of acne.BMJ Open.2016;6(2):e009448. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2015-009448Alangari AA, Morris K, Lwaleed BA et al.Honey is potentially effective in the treatment of atopic dermatitis: Clinical and mechanistic studies.Immun Inflamm Dis.2017;5(2):190-199. doi:10.1002/iid3.153Braithwaite I, Hunt A, Riley J et al.Randomised controlled trial of topical kanuka honey for the treatment of rosacea.BMJ Open. 2015;5(6):e007651. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2015-007651American Academy of Dermatology.What psoriasis treatments are available without a prescription?National Psoriasis Foundation.Over-the-counter topicals.American Academy of Dermatology.Psoriasis treatment: corticosteroids you apply to the skin.National Psoriasis Foundation.Moisturizers meant for you.Leonardi C,See K, Gallo G, et al.Psoriasis severity assessment combining physician and patient reported outcomes: The optimalpsoriasis assessment tool.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2021;11(4):1249-1263. doi:10.1007/s13555-021-00544-6National Psoriasis Foundation.Integrative approaches to care.Zheng Q, Sun XY, Miao X, et al.Association between physical activity and risk of prevalent psoriasis: A MOOSE-compliant meta-analysis.Medicine (Baltimore). 2018;97(27):e11394. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000011394Graubard R, Perez-Sanchez A, Katta R.Stress and skin: an overview of mind body therapies as a treatment strategy in dermatology.Dermatol Pract Concept. 2021;11(4):e2021091. doi:10.5826/dpc.1104a91Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Alliance.Psoriasis and the sun.Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Alliance.Emollients and psoriasis.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Johnston M, McBride M, Dahiya D, et al.Antibacterial activity of manuka honey and its components: an overview.AIMS Microbiol. 2018;4(4):655-664. doi:10.3934/microbiol.2018.4.655Ranneh Y, Akim AM, Hamid HA, et al.Honey and its nutritional and anti-inflammatory value.BMC Complement Med Ther. 2021;21(1):30. doi:10.1186/s12906-020-03170-5McLoone P, Oluwadun A, Warnock M, Fyfe L.Honey: A therapeutic agent for disorders of the skin.Cent Asian J Glob Health. 2016;5(1):241. doi:10.5195/cajgh.2016.241Samarghandian S, Farkhondeh T, Samini F.Honey and health: A review of recent clinical research.Pharmacognosy Res. 2017;9(2):121-127. doi:10.4103/0974-8490.204647Kapoor N, Yadav R.Manuka honey: A promising wound dressing material for the chronic nonhealing discharging wounds: A retrospective study.Natl J Maxillofac Surg. 2021;12(2):233-237. doi:10.4103/njms.NJMS_154_20Alangari AA, Ashoori MD, Alwan W et al.Manuka honey activates the aryl hydrocarbon receptor: Implications for skin inflammation.Pharmacol Res. 2023;194:106848. doi:10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106848Mohammed H.Anti-inflammatory properties of raw honey and its clinical applications in daily practice.Qatar Med J. 2022;2022(2):27. doi:10.5339/qmj.2022.fqac.27Semprini A, Braithwaite I, Corin A et al.Randomised controlled trial of topical kanuka honey for the treatment of acne.BMJ Open.2016;6(2):e009448. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2015-009448Alangari AA, Morris K, Lwaleed BA et al.Honey is potentially effective in the treatment of atopic dermatitis: Clinical and mechanistic studies.Immun Inflamm Dis.2017;5(2):190-199. doi:10.1002/iid3.153Braithwaite I, Hunt A, Riley J et al.Randomised controlled trial of topical kanuka honey for the treatment of rosacea.BMJ Open. 2015;5(6):e007651. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2015-007651American Academy of Dermatology.What psoriasis treatments are available without a prescription?National Psoriasis Foundation.Over-the-counter topicals.American Academy of Dermatology.Psoriasis treatment: corticosteroids you apply to the skin.National Psoriasis Foundation.Moisturizers meant for you.Leonardi C,See K, Gallo G, et al.Psoriasis severity assessment combining physician and patient reported outcomes: The optimalpsoriasis assessment tool.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2021;11(4):1249-1263. doi:10.1007/s13555-021-00544-6National Psoriasis Foundation.Integrative approaches to care.Zheng Q, Sun XY, Miao X, et al.Association between physical activity and risk of prevalent psoriasis: A MOOSE-compliant meta-analysis.Medicine (Baltimore). 2018;97(27):e11394. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000011394Graubard R, Perez-Sanchez A, Katta R.Stress and skin: an overview of mind body therapies as a treatment strategy in dermatology.Dermatol Pract Concept. 2021;11(4):e2021091. doi:10.5826/dpc.1104a91Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Alliance.Psoriasis and the sun.Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Alliance.Emollients and psoriasis.
Johnston M, McBride M, Dahiya D, et al.Antibacterial activity of manuka honey and its components: an overview.AIMS Microbiol. 2018;4(4):655-664. doi:10.3934/microbiol.2018.4.655
Ranneh Y, Akim AM, Hamid HA, et al.Honey and its nutritional and anti-inflammatory value.BMC Complement Med Ther. 2021;21(1):30. doi:10.1186/s12906-020-03170-5
McLoone P, Oluwadun A, Warnock M, Fyfe L.Honey: A therapeutic agent for disorders of the skin.Cent Asian J Glob Health. 2016;5(1):241. doi:10.5195/cajgh.2016.241
Samarghandian S, Farkhondeh T, Samini F.Honey and health: A review of recent clinical research.Pharmacognosy Res. 2017;9(2):121-127. doi:10.4103/0974-8490.204647
Kapoor N, Yadav R.Manuka honey: A promising wound dressing material for the chronic nonhealing discharging wounds: A retrospective study.Natl J Maxillofac Surg. 2021;12(2):233-237. doi:10.4103/njms.NJMS_154_20
Alangari AA, Ashoori MD, Alwan W et al.Manuka honey activates the aryl hydrocarbon receptor: Implications for skin inflammation.Pharmacol Res. 2023;194:106848. doi:10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106848
Mohammed H.Anti-inflammatory properties of raw honey and its clinical applications in daily practice.Qatar Med J. 2022;2022(2):27. doi:10.5339/qmj.2022.fqac.27
Semprini A, Braithwaite I, Corin A et al.Randomised controlled trial of topical kanuka honey for the treatment of acne.BMJ Open.2016;6(2):e009448. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2015-009448
Alangari AA, Morris K, Lwaleed BA et al.Honey is potentially effective in the treatment of atopic dermatitis: Clinical and mechanistic studies.Immun Inflamm Dis.2017;5(2):190-199. doi:10.1002/iid3.153
Braithwaite I, Hunt A, Riley J et al.Randomised controlled trial of topical kanuka honey for the treatment of rosacea.BMJ Open. 2015;5(6):e007651. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2015-007651
American Academy of Dermatology.What psoriasis treatments are available without a prescription?
National Psoriasis Foundation.Over-the-counter topicals.
American Academy of Dermatology.Psoriasis treatment: corticosteroids you apply to the skin.
National Psoriasis Foundation.Moisturizers meant for you.
Leonardi C,See K, Gallo G, et al.Psoriasis severity assessment combining physician and patient reported outcomes: The optimalpsoriasis assessment tool.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2021;11(4):1249-1263. doi:10.1007/s13555-021-00544-6
National Psoriasis Foundation.Integrative approaches to care.
Zheng Q, Sun XY, Miao X, et al.Association between physical activity and risk of prevalent psoriasis: A MOOSE-compliant meta-analysis.Medicine (Baltimore). 2018;97(27):e11394. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000011394
Graubard R, Perez-Sanchez A, Katta R.Stress and skin: an overview of mind body therapies as a treatment strategy in dermatology.Dermatol Pract Concept. 2021;11(4):e2021091. doi:10.5826/dpc.1104a91
Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Alliance.Psoriasis and the sun.
Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Alliance.Emollients and psoriasis.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
