# Medicinal Honeys from Oceania: An Updated Review on Their Bioactive Constituents and Health Applications

## TL;DR

This paper reviews medicinal honeys from Oceania, highlighting their unique compounds and health benefits like antimicrobial and wound-healing properties.

## Contribution

The paper provides an updated synthesis of the bioactive profiles and therapeutic potential of Oceania honeys, emphasizing their distinct chemical markers and mechanisms of action.

## Key findings

- Oceania honeys contain bioactive compounds like methylglyoxal, phenolics, and terpenes that contribute to antioxidant and antimicrobial effects.
- Manuka, Jarrah, and Agastache honeys show variability in bioactivity based on floral source and geographical origin.
- Emerging evidence supports the use of these honeys in wound healing and anti-inflammatory applications.

## Abstract

Medicinal honeys from Oceania have gained considerable attention due to their peculiar bioactive constituents and potential health applications. Apart from small molecules such as methylglyoxal and hydrogen peroxide, these honeys are rich in phenolic compounds, volatile terpenes, and other bioactive molecules, which collectively contribute to their antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties. Recent studies have highlighted the distinctive composition of Oceania honeys such as Manuka (Leptospermum scoparium), Jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata), and Agastache (Agastache rugosa) from New Zealand and Australia, demonstrating variability in bioactivity depending on floral source, geographical origin, and processing methods. This review synthesizes the current knowledge on the chemical profiles of these honeys with a particular focus on bioactive compounds and distinctive markers, and evaluates their therapeutic potential. Emphasis is placed on the mechanisms underlying their bioactivities, as well as emerging clinical and preclinical evidence supporting their medicinal use. By consolidating recent findings, this work provides an updated perspective on the functional properties of Oceania honeys, underscoring their relevance as natural products with significant health-promoting potential.