Manuka honey is a type of honey that is produced by bees that have foraged on the flowers of Leptospermum trees, native to Australia and New Zealand. It is widely researched and prized for its medicinal properties.

There are several rating systems that help you to choose a top-quality, bioactive Manuka honey. Here are some of the more commonly used activity indicators:

Non-Peroxide Activity (NPA): This activity indicator was discovered by Dr. Peter Molan in 1981. It measures the antibacterial activity of Manuka honey that is not due to hydrogen peroxide.

Unique Manuka Factor (UMF®): This trademarked rating system was introduced in 1998 by a small New Zealand bee industry group to protect the unique antibacterial activity (NPA) found in some Manuka honeys. UMF® is based on NPA activity and represents quality standards, a grading system, and a rating system for Manuka honey originating in New Zealand

Methylglyoxal (MGO): Recent research has shown that Methylglyoxal (MGO) is one of the major components attributed to the unique activity in Manuka honey. This chemical marker is now used as the key indicator of activity strength in Manuka honey.

The UMF number on the label represents the amount of MGO in the bottle. That number can range from UMF 5+ to UMF 20+. The higher the UMF rating, the more antibacterial activity Manuka honey has — and the more potent it is.

I hope this helps!