The Phenomenon Of Manuka Honey

The use of a medical-grade honey that is capable of destroying drug-resistant bacteria is successfully being used as a main ingredient in skin care products to cure a variety of different symptoms where antibiotics and traditional forms of medicine are ineffective.

Interesting information about a particular type of honey that comes from New Zealand is beginning to surface all over the world. Researchers are discovering that Manuka Honey possesses extremely powerful healing properties and may be more effective in treating certain symptoms than pharmaceuticals. As a result, it is being viewed as a natural treatment alternative on health conditions where antibiotics and other conventional medicines have failed. Manuka Honey is also being used as a desirable cosmetic ingredient in skin care products because of its ability to rejuvenate and moisturize the skin.

Manuka Honey has been used successfully in the treatment of burns, blisters, ringworm, pressure sores and dermatitis. It has long been used as an effective wound dressing because of its unparalleled antibacterial properties and its ability to efficiently clear infection. In addition to Manuka Honey's ability to destroy all bacteria, it also keeps wounds from dehydrating. Some traditional wound dressings keep wounds dry which can avoid infection, but leading to scarring. Others keep wounds moist which avoids the severe effects of dehydration, but creates a better environment for bacteria to grow. Manuka Honey has the ability to lift scabs and dead tissue, allowing the wound to heal flush with the surface of the skin while drawing water out of bacterial cells, making it impossible for bacteria to survive.

Researchers have also concluded that Manuka Honey is better than antibiotics because antibiotics actually slow down the rate of cell growth. However, the moisture-attracting nature of Manuka Honey actually pulls body fluids and nutrients into the wound surface where they help regenerate new skin growth and quicken the healing process.

All types of honey contain hydrogen peroxide, a known disinfectant, which is produced when the glucose in honey reacts with oxygen. However, the problem with hydrogen peroxide as an antiseptic is that it breaks down in the presence of enzymes in the body. In honey, hydrogen peroxide is produced in a slow-release manner, which preserves its effectiveness without damaging skin tissue. Although standard honey loses its effectiveness when exposed to light or heat, Manuka Honey's healing properties remain stable which is why it is the only type of honey that should be used for medical purposes.

In addition to the presence of hydrogen peroxide, scientists have also discovered other antibacterial properties in Manuka Honey such as UMF and methylglyoxal. These additional antibacterial properties are what makes Manuka Honey unique and especially effective for medical use. However, it is important to know that not all Manuka Honey has bio-active healing properties. It is generally accepted that Manuka Honey with a UMF rating of 10 or higher is considered to be medical grade honey and suitable for therapeutic use.

Patients all over the world are now enjoying the medicinal benefits of active Manuka Honey as it has been found to be effective against a wide range of microorganisms responsible for many negative health conditions. Manuka Honey has even been proven to work against antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as the MSRA bacterium which is responsible for the life-threatening Staph infections that have been plaguing our schools and hospitals. "It is expected that Manuka Honey may make antibiotics obsolete as more drug-resistant bacteria begin to emerge," says Frank Buonanotte, CEO of Honeymark International which is a manufacturer of skin care products that utilizes active Manuka Honey as a main ingredient. "It is not unrealistic to assume that we may see more bacteria resistant to antibiotics in the near future, making the medical use of active Manuka Honey imperative."nn nn