The Healing Power of Manuka Honey
For thousands of years, all over the world, honey has been prescribed for it’s antibacterial properties. The ancient Egyptians used it to treat sores and soldier’s in the trenches, during World War One, applied it to their wounds. However, with the popularity of antibiotics, honey took a back seat and was dismissed as a home remedy. That was until the scientific community discovered Manuka honey. A special type of honey found only in New Zealand and made from the flowers of the manuka bush (Leptospermum scoparium). Manuka Honey has been shown to have strong anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties that make it more effective than antibiotics, especially when it comes to treating bacteria that have become antibiotic resistant. All honey contains hydrogen peroxide which is why it is a natural antibiotic, but Manuka honey also contains a unique chemical compound, methylglyoxa, which gives it extra bug fighting powers.
Now doctors in the UK and New Zealand are using Manuka honey, in hospitals, to dress post-operative wounds. In fact a study published in the European Journal Of Medical Research in 2003 claimed manuka honey used to dress post-operative wounds had an 85 per cent success rate in clearing up infections, compared with 50 per cent for normal antibiotic creams. I had never heard of Manuka honey until my father, who was traveling in New Zealand, was given some for a skin infection and was impressed with the results. I then discovered that there had been promising clinical research into using Manuka honey both externally on infected skin and internally, to treat stomach ulcers, indigestion, heartburn and diarrhea.
When buying Manuka honey, it’s important to bear in mind that the level of anti-bacterial activity is classified by the UMF, or Unique Manuka Factor. Ranging from a UMF of 5 to one of 30, the higher the UMF rating the more powerful the therapeutic effect. So for example you could buy this Manuka honey, Bio Active 20+ Manuka Honey,
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License. • The information on this website is designed for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your doctor. Please consult a doctor with any questions or concerns you might have regarding your condition. • Jill Blakeway, M.S. L. Ac. © February 2009
There is a lot of ongoing clinical research into UMF manuka honey’s healing properties.
A new paper in the Journal of Advanced Nursing shows Medihoney (a brand of Manuka Honey from Comvita) was better than standard treatment in wound care. An extract of the paper can be found here:
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/121676394/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0
When looking for UMF rated manuka honey people should look for the UMF mark on the actual jars, not just the advertising as there has been problems with some people mispromoting ordinary manuka honey.
There are good examples of UMF Manuka Honey here, along with quite a bit of background information. (Actuall a UK based site, but relevant to anyone seeking information).
It does have a down side in that it is honey, and therefore is sticky, is not always practical for every situation. However its use in getting hard to heal wounds to improve make it something definitely worth looking into.
Active Manuka honey is an excellent natural alternative, it may be a bit sticky especially for skin care but there are some excellent facial and body creams available. For wounds honey alone will act as an excellent antiseptic it encourages healing with out destroying tissues and therefore reduces scaring. Orally its excellent for the common cold, stomach bugs and digestive discomfort. An amazing all rounder for the first Aid Kit