Manuka Honey Health Benefits

Manuka honey is a unique type of honey made by bees who gather nectar on the Manuka bush in New Zealand. This honey is known to have unique antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. In fact it has powerful health benefits that can not be found in any other honey or type of food.

Since the invention of penicilline and antibiotics the medical use of honey has shrunk considerably. Long before the inventions of these modern medicines man has known about the benefits of honey. In fact almost all ancient peoples, from the Assyrians, the Egyptians till the Chinese, they all used honey as a medicine.

Nowadays thanks to new research and clinical trials and because of the fact that a growing amount of bacteria tends to get resistant to antibiotics honey makes its come back into the medicine cabinet. Want to know more? Discover for yourself what honey can do for your health.

In 1982 the world renowned honey research pioneer professor Molan discovered the unique properties of Manuka honey. The antibacterial and antimicrobial activity in this type of honey turned out to be 100 times stronger than in other honeys. Dr. Molan and his Honey Research Unit (part of the Waikato University Hamilton New Zealand) named this activity the Unique Manuka Factor (UMF).

This Unique Manuka Factor is responsible for spectacular healing results. Many of them are proven and documented with clinical trials conducted by the Waikato Honey Research Unit. Manuka honey can be used internally and topically. Or in other words it can be eaten and put on wounds and other skin ailments. Here is an overview of what this wonderful natural product is used for:

note: There is clinical proof for the effectiveness of some of these treatments, not all. But several clinical trials are under way and more evidence will be available in the near future. (the clickable ailments, and some others, are effectively treated by Manuka honey. They link to study reports or newspaper articles. )

Digestive use:

• acid reflux
• stomach relief
• stomach ulcers (destroys the stomach ulcer bacteria Helicobacter Pylori)
• sore throat
• cold and flu symptoms
• diarrhea
• gastritis
• heartburn
• peptic ulcers
• MRSA bug
  
• eye and throat infections
• cures antibiotic resistant infections
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• protects gastrointestinal system

Topical use:

• wounds
• ulcers (Helicobacter pylori is the bacteria that causes peptic ulcers)
  
• burns
• acne
• sores
  
• athletes foot
• Arthritic Inflammation
• insect bites
• diabetic wounds
• boils
• sunburn
• cracked lips
• rashes
• yeast infections
  
• foot and leg sores
• herpes
• ringworm
• relieves eczema and skin irritations

From the 'Honey as a Medicine' report by Dr. Peter Molan:

"A clinical trial comparing honey with best modern practice for the healing of leg ulcers is under way at Aintree Hospital, Liverpool. Also there is a trial under way in the Ophthalmology Department at Christchurch Hospital using honey to treat blephatitis; in the Department of Oral Surgery at the University of Illinois, Chicago, using honey to prevent the development of dry socket after removal of impacted third molars; and at the Dental School at the University of Otago using honey to decrease dental plaque and gingivitis. A clinical trial is being discussed to investigate the use of honey in palliative care of cancerous wounds. Also, veterinary trials are being planned for treating mastitis in dairy cows, and for preventing gastroenteritis in pigs, chickens and calves."

Manuka honey cures staph infection

"This product saved my Dad's life! He had an incurable staph infection on his leg for 10 years that he caught from swimming in the ocean. The doctors had him on every antibiotic you can think of, but it never healed.

The infection was slowly moving up his leg and he couldn't stop it, and was making him sicker and sicker every day. We thought he was going to die from it. I researched a cure for "incurable staph" on the Internet and found this honey. He coated his leg with it and his sores were all heeled within a week! The infection may still be there but the sore are all gone.

All he has now is some red spots. He no longer has to take pain pills every day, and he has not been back to the stupid doctors since. If you have a skin infection, buy this. It is worth the money!"

Manuka honey cures MRSA bug

"I am 84 and contracted MRSA in a foot wound 4 months before I got my first jar of Active Manuka Honey. By this time, I was reduced to a wheelchair, in hospital, on intra-venous antibiotics and awaiting toe, if not foot, amputation and all the time my condition was worsening.

As my doctor refused me permission to use the honey externally, I was only allowed to eat it, which I did three times a day. I am convinced the honey saved my foot and my life".

Manuka honey provides Acid Reflux & Heartburn relief

For years I had this Acid Reflux & Heartburn. After each meal, I kept on burping and burping and even when I was asleep, I had to wake up just to burp, if I don't, then I felt so uncomfortable and this affected my sleep.

I've been taking Aciphex for more than a year, but never worked out. My condition remained the same. I had undergone Endoscopy, and I was diagnosed with H. PYlori, and had some scratches on my intestinal lining. I was prescribed antibiotics and the purple pill for a month, but still, I didn't get healed.

So I did some research, and I came across with this Manuka Honey and other natural healing process. At first I was hesitant, which should I take first, and I decided to try Active Manuka Honey. I tell myself if this didn't work, I'll try another natural healing process. Initially I ordered two bottles, I took one tablespoon 20-30 minutes before each meal and after 3-4 days, I was feeling better, less burping or no burping at all after each meal and during my sleep.

After I had consumed the two bottles, I was really feeling fine. Since then I keep ordering Active Manuka Honey, but I don't really take it if I don't need it So I always keep a stock of it in case I need it, I have something ready".

Manuka honey effectively treats leg ulcer

"I thought I must write to tell you how happy I have been since you introduced me to Active Manuka Honey. As you know, I had an ulcer form on the inside of my left ankle. The pain was so extreme that it brought tears to my eyes. I was unable to sleep at night.

Before using the honey, I had been treated by my doctor and his nurse but the treatment given did no good at all. I was treated with algenate (seaweed) dressings but these never took the pain away and the ulcer area never dried at all. I requested to see a specialist at the hospital and he said the pain was caused by bad circulation. I was then sent to another hospital for a scan.

I changed the [material covering] twice a day at first, reducing to once a day and then once a week. Although it has left a scar of about 2" across, the ulcer has completely healed. Thanks once again."

The increased popularity of this wonderful product has led to much confusion among consumers. When buying Manuka honey make sure it has the UMF or MGO trademark on the label. The rating of the honey has to be at least 10 in order to be suitable for therapeutic uses. The higher the rating, e.g. UMF 16+ Manuka honey, the higher the antibacterial activity.

The products below are all tested for their activity. Many products available are not. (Even the #1 Amazon bestseller is not (not shown here) )

Manuka honey can be used both internally for digestive benefits and topically for the treatment of skin ailments such as wounds, eczema, psoriasis, and so on.

For dermal use wound dressings and creams are commonly recommended. This because these products have been disinfected by gamma-irradiation. Many people use manuka honey from their jar on the kitchen shelf for small wounds, burns, insect bites etc. But in case of more severe wounds the FDA approved dressings and creams are preferred.

Comvita and Medihoney are two brands that offer a wide range of medical-grade manuka honey based wound care products.