Healing with Manuka Honey

Manuka honey is from New Zealand. It is made by bees that utilize the nectar from the flowers that grow on the Manuka tree (Leptospermum scoparium). This honey contains antibacterial and anti-fungal properties, more so than any other type of honey. Many have claimed that it helps certain conditions such as eczema, acne, ulcers, IBS and even acid reflux disease. Only active Manuka honey should be used for medicinal purposes with a UMF rating of 10 or higher. The higher the UMF, the better the antibacterial potency. Manuka Honey UMF 16 is most desirable. Manuka Honey that is more potent than UMF 20 can be overly potent. Manuka Honey less than UMF 10 is inactive and should only be used as a sweetener or for food purposes.

Stomach Ulcers, Strep Throat, Acid Reflux, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Ulcerative Colitis, Gastritis and Other Internal Conditions

You will need to take the honey internally a 3-4 times per day. You can put a teaspoon in your tea, spread it on toast or just swallow a teaspoon of it. It is recommended to take a teaspoon of Manuka Honey about 30 minutes before meals and again before bedtime for internal conditions. Once symptoms are reduced, you can take one teaspoon per day for maintenance purposes.

Eczema, Acne, Wounds, Infections, Burns, Sores, Ringworm and Other Skin Conditions

You can use Manuka honey topically when treating skin conditions and wounds. The Manuka Honey must be applied directly to the affected area. Then you can cover it with your bandage or dressing. It can also be used on acne or eczema without a covering, but bear in mind that it is quite sticky. There are skin care products available that contain Manuka honey. These products are not sticky and are equally as effective as using pure Manuka Honey on the skin.

Eye or Ear Infections

Stir a teaspoon of Manuka Honey into a cup of lukewarm water. Using an ear dropper, drip the liquefied Manuka Honey solution into your ear or eye. Repeat daily until symptoms are eliminated.

Sinus Infections

Stir a teaspoon of Manuka Honey into a cup of lukewarm water. Using a neti pot, inhale the liquefied Manuka Honey solution into your nose and through the nasal passage way until it comes into your mouth. Repeat daily until symptoms are eliminated.

For more information or to purchase Manuka Honey products, call 1-866-427-7329 or visit www.HoneymarkProducts.com.

Manuka Honey for Pressure Sores and Skin Ulcers

Ancient Egyptians used honey regularly for medical purposes. Aristotle described its use in medicine as did the Greek physician Dioscorides. Honey is now being used again to treat wounds, including pressure sores and skin ulcers. Manuka honey is a premium honey produced in New Zealand by bees that utilize the nectar from the flowers of the Manuka bush. It is this nectar that contains unique healing properties not found anywhere else.

Due to its high sugar content, Manuka honey is hygroscopic, meaning it attracts water to itself. Bacteria need water to survive and the deprivation of water is one of the reasons for its antibacterial effect. Manuka Honey also retains its microbial activity even after it has been diluted to a level at which it is no longer able to attract water to itself. In fact, it becomes more effective.

When diluted, honey produces hydrogen peroxide, which can be used as a wound cleanser and disinfectant. The amount of hydrogen peroxide produced by honey is strong enough to kill bacteria but low enough not to damage skin tissue. In addition to its ability to produce hydrogen peroxide in a slow-release manner, Manuka Honey also contains other antibacterial compounds, such as methylglyoxal and UMF, which contributor to its effectiveness in treating chronic wounds.

Applying Manuka honey to a wound offers benefits in addition to the hygroscopic and antibacterial effects. The lymphocytes (white blood cells) which fight infections are stimulated by Manuka honey. B lymphocytes make antibodies which fight the toxins produced by bacteria. T lymphocytes attack body cells which have been invaded by viruses or cancer. These both increase rapidly at Manuka honey concentrations as low as 0.1%, and phagocytes, which ingest bacteria, are stimulated in concentrations as low as 1%.

Manuka honey also has phytochemical actions (plant chemicals which can protect against or prevent disease). Using it on sores and topical ulcers seem to work, even when traditional methods fail. To treat these types of wounds, Manuka Honey (or wound care products containing Manuka Honey) should be applied directly to the affected area. It is best to apply the honey to a gauze or bandage and then cover the affected area with the Manuka Honey dressing. This keeps the Manuka Honey in place. Regular applications of Manuka Honey on wounds will yield positive results. Manuka Honey can also be used safely and effectively on animals.

For more information or to purchase Manuka Honey, call 1-866-427-7329 or visit www.HoneymarkProducts.com.

Facts About UMF Manuka Honey

Honey that is produced from the nectar of the Manuka tea tree flowers has unique antibacterial properties which are not present in honey derived from other plants. Some honeys are no more antibacterial than sugar, while active Manuka honey with a high UMF rating can be diluted more than 100-fold and still destroy infectious bacteria.

Most honey (including Manuka honey) contains the enzyme glucose oxidase which, in the presence of oxygen, produces Hydrogen peroxide which is antibacterial when it comes in contact with body tissue or serum. UMF Manuka honey contains another antibacterial component in addition to the presence of the enzyme glucose oxidase. This second antibacterial component is called the Unique Manuka Factor. There is evidence that UMF and hydrogen peroxide provide synergistic antibacterial action.

UMF® is the registered trademark of the Active Manuka Honey Industry in New Zealand. Only Manuka honey that is regulated by this association can bare the UMF® trademark on the label accompanied by a number which indicates the strength of the Unique Manuka Factor. A minimum of UMF 10+ is required to carry the UMF® trademark and to be considered suitable for medicinal purposes. All Manuka honey carrying the UMF® label has been tested and certified in a licensed facility.

The UMF numbers (i.e. UMF 16) come from a standard laboratory test of antibacterial activity, with the honey being compared with a standard antiseptic phenol, (also known as carbolic) for potency. For example, Manuka honey with a UMF rating of 10+ would be equivalent to the antiseptic potency of 10% solution of phenol, as used as carbolic disinfectant; a honey with a rating of 15+ would have a potency equivalent to a 15% solution of phenol.

UMF is stable, so there is no concern about Manuka honey losing its activity in storage. The UMF antibacterial activity has been shown in scientific studies to diffuse deeper into skin tissues than the hydrogen peroxide from other types of honey.

Manuka Honey UMF 10 or higher is more effective against bacteria than other types of honey. For example, active Manuka honey with UMF is about twice as effective as other honey against Eschericihia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, the most common causes of infected wounds. Manuka Honey UMF 20 or higher is not recommended because of reports that it can cause sensitivity in the form of a burning or stinging sensation. Manuka Honey 16+ is the most desirable potency for most applications.

Manuka honey that merely bares a number without “UMF®” preceding it is most likely not regulated or laboratory tested. Therefore, consumers have no assurance that this Manuka Honey is of the potency that is advertised on the label.

For more information or to purchase Manuka Honey UMF16+, call 1-866-427-7329 or visit www.HoneymarkProducts.com.

Using Manuka Honey to Treat Wounds

Active Manuka Honey is a desirable healing agent for the purpose of treating wounds and infections. When using Manuka Honey for wound care, the amount of honey required depends on the amount of fluid exuding from the wound. The various beneficial effects of Manuka honey on wound tissues will be reduced or lost if small amounts of honey become diluted by large amounts of fluid. Likewise, the frequency of dressing changes required will depend on how rapidly the honey is being diluted by fluid.

Daily dressing changes are usual, but up to three times daily may be required. If the dressing sticks to the wound, this indicates that more frequent changes of dressing are required. Exudation of fluid should be reduced by the anti-inflammatory action of Manuka honey, so less frequent dressing changes may be needed later – a few days between changes. More honey is required on deeper infections, to obtain an effective level of antibacterial activity diffusing deep into the wound tissues.

A secondary dressing is needed to prevent honey from oozing out from the dressing. Waterproof dressings are better as they keep more of the honey in contact with the wound while absorbent dressings soak the honey away from the wound. Adhesive tape or bandages can be used to hold the dressings in place if an adhesive occlusive dressing is not used.

Pressure bandaging can be used over the Manuka honey dressing for varicose ulcers. Dressing pads impregnated with Manuka honey are a convenient way of applying honey to surface wounds. Otherwise, it is best to spread the honey on the dressing rather than directly on the wound. Abscesses, cavities and depressions in the wound bed should be filled with Manuka honey before applying the dressing, so that there is honey in contact with the wound bed. The Manuka honey dressing should be cut to a size that extends beyond the edges of the wound and any surrounding inflamed area.

Wound care products containing Manuka Honey are desirable as they are not as sticky as using pure Manuka Honey by itself.

For more information or to purchase Manuka Honey products, call 1-866-427-7329 or visit www.HoneymarkProducts.com.

Unique Antibacterial Compound Found in Manuka Honey

Throughout history, honey has been known for its healing properties. It was eventually discovered that honey derived from certain plants have more healing qualities than others. For decades, scientists have been researching various honey derived from different plants in New Zealand, and have identified Manuka honey as having significantly higher levels of antibacterial properties than other types of honey.

Most forms of honey are antibacterial due to the presence of glucose oxidase enzyme. When this enzyme comes in contact with body tissue, it releases low levels of hydrogen peroxide, which can destroy bacteria. When studying honey derived from the nectar of the Manuka plant (Leptospermum scoparium), researchers discovered that it contained a second antibacterial component in addition to the glucose oxidase enzyme. This component is unique to the Manuka plant and contains antibacterial properties that are effective against highly resistant forms of bacteria such as MRSA, VRE and H. pylori.

The additional compound that is present in some Manuka honey has become known as the Unique Manuka Factor (UMF). Its potency is able to be quantified in laboratory testing and identified by numbers ranging from 0 through 30. To date, no harmful bacteria have been able to develop a resistance to active Manuka honey with a UMF rating of 10 or higher. Manuka honey is also resistant to heat and the catalase effect of body serum which can negatively affect the hydrogen peroxide activity of other types of honey. This makes active Manuka honey a much more viable option for medicinal use.

Manuka Honey has tremendous healing properties and can be used for stomach aches and sore throats by stimulating the immune system and helping to prevent dehydration. It also provides outstanding success in treating infected wounds that have not responded to conventional treatment. Manuka honey is the only honey available that is tested for its antibacterial activity. There is evidence that UMF and hydrogen peroxide may have a synergistic action in contributing to the antibacterial activity of Manuka Honey. UMF is not affected by the catalase enzyme present in body tissue and serum. This enzyme will break down the hydrogen peroxide which is the major antibacterial factor in other types of honey. If a honey without UMF were used to treat an infection, the potency of the honey’s antibacterial activity would most likely be reduced because of the action of catalase.

The enzyme that produces hydrogen peroxide in honey is destroyed when honey is exposed to heat and light. However, UMF is stable, so there is no concern about Manuka honey losing its activity. The enzyme in other honeys becomes active only when the honey is diluted. However, UMF is active in full strength honey, which will provide a more potent antibacterial action, diffusing into the depth of infected tissues.

Non-UMF honey needs oxygen to produce hydrogen peroxide and may not work under wound dressings or in wound cavities. However, Manuka Honey with UMF is active in all situations. The enzyme in non-UMF honey becomes active only when the acidity of the honey is neutralized by body fluids, but then the honey is diluted. It could be destroyed by the protein-digesting enzymes that are in wound fluids. However, UMF antibacterial activity diffuses deeper into skin tissues than does the hydrogen peroxide from other types of honey. Therefore, UMF Manuka Honey is more effective against bacteria than other types of honey. In fact, it’s about twice as effective against E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus which are the two most common causes of infected wounds. Manuka Honey UMF 16 is recommended for most applications.

For more information or to purchase Manuka Honey, call 1-866-427-7329 or visit www.HoneymarkProducts.com.

Healing Wounds and other Health Conditions with Manuka Honey

Honey has been used for thousands of years to treat wounds, gastroenteritis and infections. Unfortunately, it was displaced from common usage by the advent of antibiotics in the 1940s. However, now that the widespread and rapidly increasing resistance of microbes to antibiotics has become a major global threat to health, there has been a renewed interest in the use of honey to treat infections.

It has been discovered that some honeys are better than others for treating infections. It was through scientific investigation that Manuka honey (from New Zealand) was discovered to have a unique antimicrobial component in addition to the enzymically produced hydrogen peroxide that is responsible for the antimicrobial activity of all honey. It has also been discovered that the unique antimicrobial activity of Manuka Honey is so powerful that it is effective against antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria. Unlike other topical antimicrobial agents used on wounds, Manuka honey does not slow the healing process by having adverse effects on the exposed wound tissue. This is considered to be a major advantage to using Manuka Honey for wound care. Clinical experience shows that active Manuka honey with high levels of this unique antibacterial activity gives rapid clearance of infection from heavily infected wounds that are not responding to other treatments, and gives rapid healing of chronic wounds.

There is also evidence showing that Manuka honey protects burns from becoming infected. Manuka Honey is now used prophylacticly on hospital patients that are at risk of acquiring infection through antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Manuka honey has a potent antibacterial action against MRSA, VRE, ESBL strains of various species, Acinetobacter baumannii, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and other species such as Pseudomonads and coagulase-negative Staphylococci that are difficult to control because of antibiotic resistance. The most common routes of infection for these bacteria, leading to fatal septicaemia in patients with a weakened immune system, are open wounds and where catheters are inserted into the body. Studies suggest the effectiveness of Manuka honey in preventing infection of catheter exit sites have given positive results.

In addition to rapidly clearing infection, Manuka honey has been demonstrated in clinical usage to have several other therapeutic actions that are of great benefit. It very rapidly causes pus and dead tissue to lift off messy wounds, so surgical debridement or the use of enzymes (which are generally too expensive to use) are not necessary to get a clean wound bed to allow healing to begin. It actively stimulates the healing process, so that rapid healing occurs and skin grafting is not necessary. It soothes inflammation and therefore decreases the exudation of serum from wounds, and decreases swelling and pain.

Manuka honey’s anti-inflammatory action also hastens the healing process of wounds without the formation of a scar. This is because part of the inflammatory process is the stimulation of fibroblasts to produce scar tissue to repair the wound, and prolonged inflammation gives over-stimulation, so excessive amounts of scar tissue are produced.

One of the factors that has slowed the usage of Manuka honey in clinical practice has been the practical difficulty of handling a very sticky substance that, when it warms up to body temperature, becomes watery and runs off wounds. However, there are now products containing Manuka honey that are easy to apply to wounds. These are not only convenient to use but also increase the effectiveness of the Manuka honey on the wound. Because the water content of honey is strongly bound up with the sugar molecules, there is very little wetting of dressings applied to cover honey on a wound. Skin care products containing Manuka honey are showing good results when used on wounds, burns and dermatitis where the combination of the antibacterial activity with the moisturizing effect of Manuka honey on skin is beneficial.

Another use for Manuka honey is for the treatment of gastritis and peptic ulcers. Laboratory research has shown that the anti-inflammatory properties of Manuka honey are involved in its action, but its antibacterial action is also a factor, as the bacterium, Helicobacter pylori, is a major cause of gastritis and peptic ulcers. Laboratory testing of H. pylori has shown that its growth is halted by Manuka honey at concentrations as low as 5%, but not by any other type of honey. Manuka honey gives significant relief of stomach pain, whereas other types of honey do not. It has also been reported that Manuka honey reduces the duration of bacterial diarrhea.

For more information or to purchase Manuka Honey or Manuka Honey products, call 1-866-427-7329 or visit www.HoneymarkProducts.com.

Medicinal Uses for Manuka Honey

Manuka honey is a type of honey derived from the Leptospermum scoparium plant, indigenous to New Zealand. It has been found to have healing properties not found in other types of honey and is used in a variety of health care products and home remedies because of its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.

Pain Relief

Manuka honey can be used to treat pain because of its anti-inflammatory properties. Manuka honey can penetrate the skin and help with arthritic pain, stiffness, muscle pain and joint pain. Manuka honey contains glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate, which are anti-inflammatory agents. These two anti-inflammatory agents stimulate the production of cartilage components, which are essential for joint repair and pain relief, and also decrease inflammation.

Wound Care

Manuka honey is helpful in treating wounds by allowing dead skin to lift off the wound. Manuka honey has antimicrobial and antibacterial properties which help in treating infection. It decreases inflammation in the wound, which helps to reduce the amount of leakage as well. Manuka honey actively stimulates the healing process so skin grafting is not necessary.

Wrinkles

Manuka honey also helps with the reduction and prevention of wrinkles. It is naturally moisturizing and contains vitamins and antioxidants that are beneficial to helping maintain the elasticity and texture of the skin. Manuka honey helps with the texture of the skin because it produces collagen and aids in skins elasticity. The antimicrobial properties of Manuka Honey help to protect skin from free radicals and damage from the sun, which can also lead to premature aging of the skin.

For more information or to purchase Manuka Honey products, call 1-866-427-7329 or visit www.HoneymarkProducts.com.

Manuka Honey, a Natural Healer

Manuka is the Maori name for Leptospermum Scoparium which is a native tree of New Zealand. Known as The Healing Honey of the Tea Tee, Manuka has been used for centuries in traditional Maori folk medicine. Manuka Honey is found only in New Zealand and was the first honey to contain additional healing properties not found in other types of honey. This active property has proven to be a powerful antibacterial agent and helps support a healthy immune system.

Manuka honey contains a second type of antibacterial activity in addition to hydrogen peroxide. Its antibacterial activity is unaffected by enzymes in the body that destroy the hydrogen peroxide components. In addition, it diffuses deeper into skin tissue than the enzymes of other honeys. These factors make Manuka Honey ideal for medicinal use.

In laboratory tests, Manuka honey has proven to be a powerful topical antibacterial. It is classified as a Therapeutic Good in Australia (the equivalent to a drug registered and approved by the U.S. FDA), and the clinical advantages of Manuka honey have been recognized as a primary treatment by the UK Health Ministry for hospital wound care and treatment.

Clinical reports show that Manuka Honey can be used as an efficient wound dressing. The manner in which Manuka Honey heals wounds is a synergistic interaction of 5 key elements:

1. Hydrogen peroxide is produced from an enzyme in the honey upon skin contact. Scientific evidence has shown that most strains of harmful bacteria cannot survive in the presence of hydrogen peroxide.
2. A moist healing barrier is created by the honey between the wound and dressing with no sticking and no tissue damage. Scarring is reduced because skins cells grow without forming a scab.
3. Nutrients are supplied by the honey for healthy tissue regeneration and stimulation of growth of new blood capillaries.
4. Acidity of the honey assists in healing as topical acidification of wounds promotes healing.
5. An osmosis effect is produced by the honey’s high sugar content. It draws lymph out to the cells while absorbing moisture and provides an anti-inflammatory action, which reduces swelling, pain and malodor. Manuka honey assists in lifting dirt and debris from the bed of a wound and induces sloughing of dying tissue.

The popularity of Manuka honey in wound care is growing throughout the world where it is often used when traditional methods fail to heal persistent wounds and infections. It has been proven to be highly effective against antibiotic-resistant “superbugs” such as MRSA and VRE. It also heals persistent wounds and eliminates cross infections. Even if a wound isn’t infected, Manuka honey is still the best thing to use to get the most rapid healing without scarring.

Other natural healing benefits of using Manuka Honey for medicinal purposes:
• 100% organic – it is one of the few honeys in the world that is truly organic
• Antioxidant source – disarms disease-causing free radicals in the body
• Stress reliever – calms the mind and promotes rejuvenating sleep
• Disease killer, with remarkably potent antibiotic properties and no negative side effects
• Promotes the growth of healthy bacteria
• Exfoliates and renews skin cells.
• Deep conditioner for hair. As a humectant, it attracts and retains moisture

Manuka Honey has been documented to effectively treat the following health conditions:
• Cuts, burns and skin ulcers
• Wounds and pressure sores
• Insect bites and stings
• Yeast infections
• Skin conditions, such as eczema and psoriasis
• Fungal infections such as athlete’s foot and ringworm
• Bacterial infections such as MRSA/Staph
• Respiratory conditions by soothing inflamed airways
• Sore throats and chapped lips
• Sore muscles (Mix 2 tablespoons in bath water)
• Kills bacteria that cause gum disease and tooth decay

Manuka honey can destroy infectious pathogens such as:
• E. coli
• Strep
• MRSA/Staph
• Salmonella
• H. pylori
• Pseudomonas

Manuka honey contains all the essential vitamins and minerals for sustaining life, including Vitamins A, B-complex, C, D, E, and K; beta-carotene; enzymes. It also contains more antioxidants and amino acids than other types of honey. Manuka Honey has only 21 calories per teaspoon and does not promote weight gain. In addition, it has a higher sweetening power than sugar, which means you can use less honey than sugar to achieved the desired sweetness. It also helps to boost energy more efficiently as well as the immune system.

For more information or to purchase Manuka Honey, call 1-866-427-7329 or visit www.HoneymarkProducts.com.

Using Manuka Honey During Pregnancy

Manuka honey is an excellent natural remedy which is scientifically proven to assist within the therapy of many health conditions, reducing the need for pharmaceuticals, which have a tendency to cause negative side effects. Manuka Honey harnesses powerful healing properties which have proven to be more successful at treating a wide range of infections, even when compared to some of the most powerful antibiotics.

Manuka Honey can be used to treat conditions such as stomach aches/ulcers, sore/strep throat, acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome, gastritis, urinary tract infections, ear infections, sinus infections, etc. Scientist have discovered very powerful healing properties that are derived from the floral nectar component of the Manuka plant, indigenous to New Zealand.

Manuka Honey is perfectly safe to be taken while pregnant. It can also be taken while breastfeeding. It is an excellent alternative to traditional forms of medication and can be used when pregnant with no negative side effects. There is no evidence suggesting that it can negatively affect an unborn child.

It is important to know that infants under the age of one year old should not consume honey of any kind. Due to Clostridium Botulinum which may be present in some honeys, feeding infants honey is known to be the cause of a disease called infant botulism. This bacteria will not germinate within the digestive system of individuals older than one year of age. Due to an under developed intestinal system, infants can not break down this form of bacteria.

Things to remember:

1. It is safe to consume Manuka Honey when pregnant.
2. It is safe to consume Manuka Honey when breast feeding.
3. It is safe to use Manuka Honey on the skin when pregnant.
4. It is safe for infants to use Manuka Honey topically on the skin.
5. It is not safe to feed infants under the age of 12 months honey of any kind unless it is gamma irradiated.

For more information or to purchase Manuka Honey, call 1-866-427-7329 or visit www.HoneymarkProducts.com.

Manuka Honey as a Natural Solution for Acid Reflux, Heartburn, GERD

If you are looking for a natural remedy to ease the suffering of Acid Reflux Disease, then you should consider trying Manuka honey which is a special type of honey that comes from New Zealand. It has been determined that Manuka Honey contains far more healing properties than any other type of honey and is effective in treating a wide range of internal health conditions.

Manuka Honey has a soothing effect that will coat your digestive intestinal tissues located along the bottom of your esophageal (food pipe). It is considered to be among the best honey products available to act as a healing agent, and speed the recovery process.

Researchers have found that Manuka Honey is very beneficial for acid reflux disease because it has natural anti-inflammatory properties. The unique minerals and vitamins it contains helps to heal irritated tissues in the digestive, gastrointestinal tract and has the capacity to coat the esophagus and protect the lining tissues.

In order to get the best results, it is recommended to take Manuka Honey before meals and before bedtime (3-4 times teaspoons per day) on a piece of bread. The bread will allow the honey to reach the bottom of the lower esophagus in order to get optimal performance. Manuka honey can also be taken when acid reflux symptoms start flaring up. The soothing effect and coating will provide fast relief. Manuka honey does not have any known side effects and is safe to use if you’re taking medication.

It is important to use a raw, unpasteurized, active, medical-grade Manuka Honey with a UMF rating between 10 and 18. Manuka Honey with a UMF rating lower than 10 is inactive and will not yield the results that most people have come to expect of Manuka Honey. UMF 20 or higher is too potent and may cause sensitivity in the form of a burning or stinging sensation. A medium grade, such as UMF 16, is most desirable.

For more information or to purchase Manuka Honey, call 1-866-427-7329 or visit www.HoneymarkProducts.com.

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