Honey: Natural Remedy, Advanced Healing Agent...Or Both?

Once used as an old folk remedy, honey is now being considered to be an extremely valuable medical resource.nnThere are many reports showing that honey is successful in the treatment of wounds, burns, skin ulcers, boils, infections, etc. Scientists have now discovered that a particular type of honey called Manuka Honey has even greater healing properties because of its enhanced antibacterial potency. Researchers have found that honey's healing qualities are due primarily to a natural hydrogen peroxide antibacterial property. Bees gather nectar from flowers and take it back to their hive where they add an enzyme called glucose oxidase. When honey comes into contact with moisture in the body, the enzyme slowly releases the hydrogen peroxide at sufficient levels to kill bacteria but not damage tissue.nnManuka Honey is different because it contains an additional non-peroxide antibacterial activity. This special non-peroxide antibacterial activity is called UMF which is an acronym for Unique Manuka Factor. The antibacterial properties in regular honey is destroyed by heat, light or when diluted. Manuka Honey is stable and doesn't lose it's potency or effectiveness under those conditions which makes it ideal to use as a healing agent.nnThe antibacterial properties that exist in Manuka Honey have been found to be effective against a wide range of bacteria such as helicobacter pylori (a bacteria that causes most stomach ulcers), staphylococcus aureus (Staph infections and MRSA), escherichia coli (the most common cause of infected wounds) and streptococcus pyogenes (causes sore throats). The antibacterial properties in regular honey is not capable of destroying these types of bacteria the way UMF Manuka Honey is.nnStudies have found that Manuka Honey an extremely effective treatment for wound care by assisting the healing of skin ulcers, diabetic ulcers, infected wounds, burns, boils, cracked skin, pressure sores, MRSA, eczema, dermatitis, etc. A manufacturer of Manuka Honey products called Honeymark International has developed a First Aid Antiseptic Lotion that contains Active Manuka Honey with a UMF rating of 10+ that is an excellent dressing for these types of conditions.nn"The antibacterial property found in Manuka Honey is a phytochemical property which means that it is a floral derived property coming from the nectar of the flowers that grow on the Manuka bush, which is indigenous to New Zealand," says Frank Buonanotte, CEO of Honeymark International. "It's Manuka Honey that has been found to have more healing properties than other types of honey and even antibiotics."nnScientists now believe that the two antibacterial components found in Manuka Honey (hydrogen peroxide and UMF) have a synergistic action and that their combined effect is greater than the sum of the parts. To date there has been no bacteria that has been found to be resistant to Manuka Honey. This fact is of growing interest within the medical community as Manuka Honey is rapidly gaining its well-deserved recognition as a medical resource.nnThe antibacterial property in UMF is very stable and not easily destroyed. It is resistant to heat and more resistant to being broken down by the catalase effect of body fluids than the hydrogen peroxide activity. Most people think that putting honey in their tea can help a sore throat but what they don't know is that the temperature of the tea diminishes the healing ability of the honey. This is not the case with Manuka Honey.nnManuka Honey can also diffuse deep into depths of skin tissues, so that it can reach deep-seated infections. The antibacterial properties in Manuka Honey can penetrate flesh much more deeply than the hydrogen peroxide property. Because of the anti-inflammatory properties that are also found in Manuka Honey, it has been helpful in reducing pain in wounds and even joint, muscle and arthritis pain. "The fact that it can diffuse deep into the depth of the skin make it idea for treating pain," says Buonanotte. "This is why we have developed our Pain Relief Cream with Manuka Honey."nn