The healing properties of honey have been known since Pythagoras’ time. Now, scientists believe that one particular type of honey called, Manuka Honey, has antibacterial properties that can be used to treat everything from infected wounds to eczema. The buzz about Manuka Honey's healing power is growing. Once regarded as a home remedy, Manuka Honey is increasingly being used to treat everything from ringworm to arthritis. Made by bees that collect pollen from the manuka bush (Leptospermum scoparium) which grows wild in New Zealand, Manuka Honey has been found to effectively treat wounds and skin ulcers that have failed to respond to standard medicine. Manuka Honey not only clears infection and helps tissue healing process but it has also been found in clinical studies to reduce inflammation and scarring. Its healing properties appear to be due to the presence of the enzyme glucose oxidase, which produces hydrogen peroxide (a known antiseptic) in a slow-release manner. Manuka Honey's high sugar concentration inhibits bacterial growth. Manuka Honey has an additional antibacterial component in it that other types of honey do now have. This antibacterial component has become known as the Unique Manuka Factor (UMF). The number of the UMF rating is equivalent to the percentage of a standard antiseptic. For example, Manuka Honey with a UMF rating of 10+ is about the equivalent to a 10% solution of a standard antiseptic. Scientists report that Manuka Honey with a UMF rating of less than 10+ does not have any medicinal value. Scientists have discovered that Manuka Honey has an 85% success rate for the treatment of infected postoperative Caesarean sections and hysterectomy wounds, compared to conventional treatments which had only a 50% success rate for routine treatments. Because of its amazing healing properties, Manuka Honey is now being used as a main ingredient in health care products. Honeymark International is one manufacturer that is utilizing Manuka Honey as a healing agent. "Manuka Honey is so powerful that it is actually destroying antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria such as MRSA," says Frank Buonanotte, CEO of Honeymark International. "Our First Aid Antiseptic Lotion with Manuka Honey has been successful in healing staph infections where nothing else worked." Honeymark also has other Manuka Honey-based products that are effective in treating dermatitis, fungal conditions and pain.
Please Rate this Article 5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5
Not yet Rated
