Manuka Honey is a special type of mono-floral honey which is produced by bees that gather nectar from the flowers that grow on the Manuka bush, also known as the tea tree, which is indigenous to New Zealand. Studies have found that Manuka Honey contains very powerful antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiviral, antioxidant, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties, making it extremely effective in treating a wide variety of health conditions.
The tea tree is known to be antibacterial and antifungal, and it is has been used for decades as a source of things like mouth washes and disinfectants. Manuka honey harnesses the properties of the tea tree, combining them with the already naturally antibacterial properties of honey. In addition to tasting good, manuka honey can also be used in wound dressing to prevent infection or fungal colonization, and some people believe that consuming it is also beneficial.
If the thought of putting honey on wounds seems a bit strange to you, you must not be aware that honey has been used in wound dressings for thousands of years. Honey is a natural antiseptic, speeding healing while protecting wounds from outside factors. It also has the added benefit of acting as a lubricant, preventing bandages from sticking.
The color of manuka honey is quite dark, and the honey is very rich with an intense flavor which is reminiscent of the flavor of other tea-tree derived products. It can be used just like regular honey as a sweetener, and is a very popular table honey in New Zealand, the home of the tea tree. It is also possible to create honey products from manuka honey, such as whipped honey and honey salves and creams.
You may see manuka honey labeled as “UMF honey,” in a reference to the “Unique Manuka Factor,” a concept coined by Peter Molan, a researcher in New Zealand. He has established a UMF scale, comparing manuka honey with standard disinfectants. Molan’s research has also uncovered the fact that manuka honey appears to be effective against some strains of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, a growing issue in hospitals all over the world.
How is Manuka Honey different from regular honey?
Standard honey has been used in the past to heal wounds, primarily due to the fact that it keeps wounds moist and nurtures the growth of new tissue with important vitamins and amino acids. Honey also contains hydrogen peroxide which is a known antiseptic. Therefore, regular honey could theoretically be effective in treating wounds. However, standard honey loses most of its healing properties when it comes in contact with wound fluids. Standard honey also loses its effectiveness when exposed to heat or light. Only Active Manuka Honey has additional antibacterial properties that have the ability to destroy the bacteria that are responsible for infecting wounds. Manuka Honey is also stable so there is no concern of it losing its potency or healing properties.
How does Manuka Honey work?
All types of honey contain hydrogen peroxide which is produced when the bees add enzymes to the nectar. In honey, hydrogen peroxide is produced in a slow-release manner that is strong enough to be effective in destroying bacteria but low enough not to harm tissue. Manuka Honey is different in that it also contains plant-derived components, such as methylglyoxal and what some experts refer to as the Unique Manuka Factor (UMF). UMF is a floral property that comes from the nectar of Manuka flowers and has been found to posses extraordinary healing properties. This antibacterial activity is not present in any other type of honey.
It is generally accepted that Manuka Honey with a UMF rating of 10 or higher is appropriate for medical use. The higher the UMF rating, the higher the antibacterial activity. The UMF is determined by comparing the antibacterial activity of a given honey with the antibacterial activity of antiseptic phenol (carbolic) using a standard lab test. For example, a UMF rating of 10 is equivalent to the potency of a 10% solution of phenol. Some reports have indicated that certain individuals can experience sensitivity to Manuka Honey with a high UMF rating (i.e 20-30).
What are the medical uses for Manuka Honey?
Based on recent studies, Manuka Honey has been known to effectively treat the following symptoms and health conditions:
- Athlete’s Foot
- Ring Worm
- Insect Bites
- Arthritis
- Acne
- Eczema & Dermatitis
- Sore Throat
- Rashes
- Wrinkles
- Wounds & Abrasions
- Burns
- Nail Fungus
- Aches & Pains
- Blisters
- Stomach Ulcers
- Skin Ulcers
- Gum Disease
- Acid Reflux Disease
- Cold Sores
- Infections
- Psoriasis
- Surgical Wounds
- Pressure Sores
- Chronic Wounds
- MRSA/Staph infections
What types of microorganisms can Manuka Honey destroy?
The antimicrobial activity of Manuka Honey has been observed in many studies around the world. It has been discovered that Manuka Honey is effective in destroying the following bacterial and fungal microorganisms:
- Escherichia coli (E. coli)
- Staphylococcus aureus (Staph infections)
- Citrobacter freundii
- Proteus mirabilis
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- Salmonella typhimurium
- Streptococcus faecalis
- Streptococcus pyogenes
- Helicobacter Pylori (H. pylori, stomach ulcers)
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
Research also indicates that Manuka Honey inhibits enzymes called cysteine proteases, which have been implicated in muscle-wasting diseases such as muscular dystrophy, viral replication, tumor invasion and metastasis.
Can Manuka Honey destroy MRSA and heal Staph infections?
Yes. There is documented evidence indicating that Manuka Honey is capable of destroying the MRSA bacterium. Bacteria has the ability to mutate and become resistant to elements that are attempting to destroy them, such as antibiotics. However, Manuka Honey destroys bacteria in a different manner, by drawing water out of the bacteria, making it impossible for the microbes to survive. To date, there has been no reported bacteria that has been able to develop a resistance to Manuka Honey.
Can Manuka Honey be used to treat wounds or burns?
Yes. Manuka Honey is one of the best treatments available for wounds and burns because it provides a moist, sterile environment for the regeneration of tissue. It also makes a soft barrier between the wound and bandages, preventing new tissue from being torn away when the dressing is changed. Manuka Honey is capable of destroying the bacteria the cause infection in wounds. It is especially useful in treating persistent, hard-to-heal wounds such as leg ulcers, bed sores and 1st, 2nd or 3rd degree burns that don’t respond to conventional treatments, antibiotics or other traditional forms of medication.
What are the special skin care characteristics of Manuka honey?
Manuka Honey is a natural skin moisturizer that has the ability to draw water molecules into the skin. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that act as a natural pain reliever, an antibacterial agent that can heal infections and antifungal properties that can eliminate ringworm and other fungal infections.
