Mānuka Honey, Kūmarahou and Asthma: Gentle Rongoā Alongside Your Asthma Plan

Asthma is a long-term condition where the airways become narrow and sensitive, bringing coughing, wheezing, a tight chest and shortness of breath. It is managed with your doctor, an asthma action plan and the medicines prescribed for you.

Always keep your inhaler close and follow your asthma action plan. If you are struggling to breathe, or your reliever is not helping, call 111.

Mānuka honey as rongoā

Mānuka has long been part of rongoā (traditional Māori healing), where honey from the whenua (the land) is valued as kai (food) that nourishes and comforts. When coughing leaves your throat dry and scratchy, a slow spoonful may soothe that raw feeling and bring a little calm to the end of the day.

It sits alongside your asthma plan and the care your GP recommends. It never replaces your inhaler or medicines. You can read more in our plain-English guide to rongoā Māori.

Kūmarahou

Kūmarahou is a native plant traditionally used in rongoā for respiratory health. Our Mānuka Kūmarahou Honey is kūmarahou infused with honey, wild and sustainably harvested from the tribal regions of Te Whakatōhea and Ngāti Awa. Read the Kūmarahou guide.

Shop Mānuka Kūmarahou Honey · $25

How whānau enjoy it

• In a warm drink: a teaspoon stirred into warm (not boiling) water or a gentle herbal tea, sipped slowly before bed.
• By the spoonful: a little on its own, letting it sit on the tongue before swallowing.
• As part of a routine: a quiet cup in the evening, alongside the care your GP recommends.

If you have diabetes, watch your sugar or have a bee allergy, check with your GP first. Please also check before adding any rongoā if you are pregnant or take regular medicines. Honey is not for babies under 12 months.

Which honey should I choose?

• Mānuka Kūmarahou Honey, $25: kūmarahou infused with honey, traditionally used in rongoā for respiratory health.
• Mānuka Blend, $25: an easy everyday jar for the pātaka (pantry).

Every Whenua Honey product is wild and sustainably harvested, hand-packed and blessed before it leaves us.

Shop Mānuka Kūmarahou Honey · $25 Shop Mānuka Blend · $25

Frequently asked questions

Can mānuka honey or kūmarahou cure asthma?
No. Honey is food and rongoā kai, not a cure. A spoonful may soothe a scratchy throat, and it sits alongside your asthma plan and the care your GP recommends.

Can I use honey instead of my inhaler?
No, never. Keep using your inhaler and medicines exactly as your doctor has prescribed.

Is it okay for children?
Honey is generally fine for children over one year old. Never give honey to babies under 12 months. For a child with asthma, please check with your GP first.

From the whenua

Whenua Honey is a Māori-owned whānau (family) business on the East Coast of Aotearoa. 5% of our profit goes back to the people and the whenua.

This article is general information and does not replace advice from your GP or other health professional. Please see your GP about asthma, and follow your asthma action plan.