Connecting people to nature and good health is at the very heart of Comvita.

From humble beginnings in 1974, Co-Founders, Claude Stratford and Alan Bougen established Comvita with a shared belief in the power of nature; the power to help people live happily, in good health. With nature as our guide and bees our inspiration, throughout the last four decades, we have been perfecting our beekeeping craft to become a world-leading UMF Manuka honey producer.

Comvita works with nature’s purest ingredients to understand their health-giving properties. Sourced only from New Zealand hives, the unique properties and therapeutic action of medical grade Manuka has been extensively researched in clinical papers and case studies, to ensure the products we manufacture are highly efficacious.

The Science Behind Manuka Honey

Manuka honey is often referred to as one of ‘nature’s special gifts’. Manuka Honey is world renowned for its special antibacterial properties, this is what makes it stand out from most other types of honey.

Predominately grown in the beautiful mountainous terrain of New Zealand, ‘The Manuka tree’ (known by science as Leptospermum scoparium) is often the first plant species to grow upon cleared land. By placing our hives in these growth areas, the clever bees get to pollinate, harvesting the nectar from these special flowers, in order to yield the foundation stone of what will eventually be turned into honey.

Whilst all types of honey contain varying levels of antibacterial activity from hydrogen peroxide – this chemical can be affected by heat, light, time, as well as commercial processing. Manuka honey is able to display a significantly more stable antibacterial effect than hydrogen peroxide, thanks to the presence of natural chemical compounds, Methylglyoxal (MG) and Dihydroxyacetone (DHA) from within the Manuka’s genetic composition.

As a result, the honey that is created from the Manuka flower can be shaped to help support general wellbeing. Whether it’s through the use of everyday honey in recipes or included alongside Apple Cider Vinegar to create a delicious drink, even as a skincare product to moisturise and heal.

The antibacterial effects of Manuka is perhaps best summed up by its topical use in homes, hospitals and clinics throughout the world. Medihoney has been clinically tested to help promote healing of small wounds and cuts, as well as to offer support against Eczema prone skin.

Here at Comvita, our UMF Manuka honey has been rated to offer a guarantee to our customers that the products we sell are genuine. The UMF – Unique Manuka Factor – is a purity and quality rating system that test for the three naturally occurring chemical markers found in Manuka; Leptosperin, DHA and MG. Our UMF Manuka products are all presented with a rating in regards to their potencies – the higher the number, the more potent the Manuka.

A Shared Belief In The Power of Nature

Ever since he took ownership of his first beehive at the age of 11 in 1921, Claude Stratford began his lifelong association with beekeeping. He believed in the health-giving properties of natural products and dedicated his life in research and development. In 1974, Alan Bougen, fresh from a spell living in the United States, came across a pot of honey and a skin cream from a brand that had an intriguing backstory written on its label. The story was all about the maker and his belief and philosophy in the health-giving properties of the honey inside. That particular honey was Manuka, the maker was Claude Stratford.

The story resonated strongly with Alan. His experiences in the United States had opened his mind to what were perceived as ‘fringe’ aspects of health and wellness at the time; yoga, surfing and, of course, beekeeping. With family living close to where Claude made his products, the next visit Alan made to see his family ended with him meeting Claude and impressed by his interest in his products, as well as their shared philosophies in natural health and wellness, Claude teamed up with Alan to found Comvita.

Claude passed away in 2013 at the age of 102, but his legacy lives on. From starting out, creating his Manuka honey products from his basement, Comvita has grown to be a well-loved brand that sits proudly on the New Zealand stock market, bringing this special gift from nature to people around the world.

Try The Natural Goodness of Manuka For Yourself, With Comvita.

Connecting people to nature and good health remains our constant goal here at Comvita. Together with our other products, such as Olive Leaf Extract, Apple Cider Vinegar and Propolis, we are able to offer a wide range of Manuka honey products that may help you to connect with nature and good health.

Whether you’re looking to offer support to the immune system with Manuka elixir or lozenges, give the healing process of small cuts a helping hand with medical-grade Medihoney, or simply to put a new, unique twist on an age-old or custom recipe – why not browse our extensive range of Manuka products to learn more?

Have Any Questions About Our Manuka Products? Please Don’t Hesitate To Contact Us Today.

Please continue to browse our website to learn more about the many Manuka honey products we have as part of our range. If you would like further information on any aspect of our products and services, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us today. You can give us a call on 01628 779 460 or alternatively you can send an e-mail to us at info@comvita.co.uk.