Mānuka Honey and GERD: Gentle Rongoā for Everyday Reflux

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD, also written GORD) is when reflux happens often. Stomach acid flows back up into the food pipe, bringing heartburn, a sour taste, or a burning feeling in the chest or throat, especially after meals or when lying down.

Please see your GP if reflux happens most weeks or wakes you at night, or if you have trouble swallowing, weight loss or vomiting.

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. Thick and slow, a spoonful may soothe the throat and settle that unsettled feeling after a meal. Many whānau make it part of a calm evening routine.

It sits alongside the care your GP recommends. It does not replace it. You can read more in our plain-English guide to rongoā Māori.

Shop Mānuka Blend · $25

How whānau enjoy mānuka honey

• Before a meal: a teaspoon on its own, slowly, as part of a calm routine.
• In a warm drink: stirred into warm (not hot) water or a gentle herbal tea, sipped slowly.
• Before bed: a small spoonful to close the day, alongside the changes your GP suggests, such as smaller meals, not eating late and raising the head of your bed.

If you have diabetes, watch your sugar or have a bee allergy, check with your GP first. Honey is not for babies under 12 months.

Which honey should I choose?

• Mānuka Blend, $25: an easy everyday jar to start with.
• Spring Whānau Kete, $97: 1kg of honey for the whole whare (home), plus Wild Mānuka Oil 20+ and Mānuka Mist. Free shipping in New Zealand.
• Mānuka Honey 25+ UMF™ Luxury Gift Package, $349: our richest and rarest grade, hand-packed and blessed, a taonga (treasure) for yourself or a koha (gift) for someone you care about.

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

Shop Mānuka Blend · $25 Shop the Spring Whānau Kete · $97 Shop the 25+ Luxury Gift · $349

Frequently asked questions

Can mānuka honey cure GERD?
No. Honey is food and rongoā kai, not a cure. It may soothe the throat and settle an unsettled feeling, and it sits alongside the care your GP recommends.

Which grade should I choose?
Choose by taste, occasion and budget. Our Mānuka Blend is a lovely everyday jar, and UMF 25+ is our richest grade. Read Understanding MGO and UMF™ ratings.

Is it safe in pregnancy or for children?
Honey is generally fine in pregnancy and for children over one year old. Never give honey to babies under 12 months. Check with your health professional if you are unsure.

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 reflux, especially if it is ongoing.