Manuka honey is a product made by bees in New Zealand that gather nectar from tiny flowers blooming on the Manuka bush. Researchers have found many natural healing powers of Manuka honey products, including antimicrobial, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. It has been used for conditions from reflux, acne, burns/wounds, wrinkles and ulcers, just to name a few.
Benefits of Manuka Honey
Manuka honey encourages a moist environment that helps new skin cells to grow, enabling a wound to heal quickly. When a wound is healing, a scab's dead cells are regenerated so scars are minimized. Manuka honey is known to fight infections by killing bacteria. Because the honey is so thick, it creates a barrier for a wound from exposure to new bacteria or infection. There are no side effects of taking Manuka honey.
Internal Usage
Manuka honey from New Zealand has been used for internal disorders such as ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, heartburn and esophagitis.
External Usage
Because of Manuka honey's antibacterial properties, this honey has been used for external health problems like burns, scars, bed sores, acne, wounds and bed sores.
Antibacterial Properties
Manuka honey is known to have antibacterial activity because of the hydrogen peroxide that forms from an enzyme present in the honey.
How Manuka Honey Works
Bees contribute enzymes to nectar when they are producing honey. The combination of their saliva and enzyme creates a hydrogen peroxide in the honey. Because this is a slow-release type of hydrogen peroxide, this honey is known to kill bacteria. Although this peroxide is strong enough to kill bacteria, is gentle enough not to harm human or animal tissue.
Type of Manuka Honey Products Available
From Manuka honey, manufacturers have created numerous products including such as anti-wrinkle cream, hand soaps, pain relief creams, hand sanitizers, anti-itch cream and anti-fungal creams.
Clinical Studies on Antibacterial Qualities of the Manuka Honey
In 2004, it was found in a pilot study that Manuka honey reduced plaque by 48 percent. Plaque is a major cause of gingivitis and bleeding gums. Volunteers chewed or sucked a Manuka honey product for 10 minutes, 3 times a day after each meal for 21 days. This clinical trial was conducted by the School of Dentistry at the University of Otago in New Zealand.
Another clinical study reported by New Zealand's University of Waikato proved Manuka honey's ability to heal wounds. Sufferers of an open wound kept a honey soaked pad on the infected area for 1 week. Nearly 100 percent of the participants--58 out of 59-- had their wounds heal completely without infection.
To support the claims of the Manuka honey industry in New Zealand, the University of Waikato in New Zealand was commissioned in 1995 to study and research the healing properties of this honey.
Tags: Manuka honey, Manuka honey, been used, honey known, hydrogen peroxide, this honey