Scientists Identify a Secret Ingredient in Honey That Kills Bacteria

New information has been uncovered for those looking for a natural alternative to antibiotics. Research published in the July 2010 print edition of the FASEB Journal explains for the first time how honey kills bacteria. The research shows that bees make a protein that they add to the honey called defensin-1, which can be used to treat burns and skin infections.

“We have completely elucidated the molecular basis of the antibacterial activity of medical-grade honey, which contributes to the applicability of honey in medicine,” said Sebastian A.J. Zaat, Ph.D., a researcher involved in the work from the Department of Medical Microbiology at the Academic Medical Center in Amsterdam. “Honey or isolated honey-derived components might be of great value for prevention and treatment of infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria.”

To make the discovery, Zaat and colleagues investigated the antibacterial activity of medical-grade honey in test tubes against a panel of antibiotic-resistant, disease-causing bacteria. They developed a method to selectively neutralize the known antibacterial factors in honey and determine their individual antibacterial contributions. Ultimately, researchers isolated the defensin-1 protein, which is part of the honeybee immune system and is added by bees to honey. After analysis, the scientists concluded that the vast majority of honey’s antibacterial properties come from that protein. This information also sheds light on the inner workings of honey bee immune systems, which may one day help breeders create healthier honey bees.

“We’ve known for many years that honey can be good for what ails us, but we haven’t known how or why it works,” said Gerald Weissmann, M.D., Editor-in-Chief of the FASEB Journal, “Now that we’ve extracted a potent antibacterial ingredient from honey, we can make it still more effective and take the sting out of bacterial infections.”

Even though all types of honey contain healing properties to some degree, it has been determined that Manuka honey from New Zealand seems to have the highest levels of these healing properties. Therefore, active medical-grade Manuka Honey is most appropriate for medicinal use. For more information or to purchase Manuka Honey, and Manuka Honey products, call 1-866-427-73269 or visit www.HoneymarkProducts.com.

A Consumer’s Guide To Manuka Honey

Manuka honey is produced by bees that feed on flowers of the New Zealand Manuka tree (Leptospermum scoparium). Since the pioneering work of Dr. Peter Molan was published in the early 90′s, Manuka honey has been accepted around the world as a premier natural health product. This high level of acceptance, combined with the limited availability of the highly active forms of the honey, has resulted in premium prices and strong global demand. Unfortunately, this has also resulted in a number of unethical practices that range from misrepresentation of the activity to outright forgery of the product.

Honey has been used for centuries for its medicinal properties, particularly as an antimicrobial agent. It has also been recognized that honeys from different plants vary in their antimicrobial potency. Honey exerts its antibacterial activity through two basic mechanisms: physical blockage of microbial growth and the presence of antimicrobial chemical compounds. The physical components are the osmotic effect and the acidity of honeys. The osmotic effect derives from the fact that the water content of honey is less than 20% by weight. Furthermore, honey is a super-saturated solution of sugars, primarily fructose and glucose, which interact strongly with water molecules. Therefore, not only is there little water in honey, but also most water molecules are not available to support microbial life due to the interaction with sugars. Also, honey has a low pH (generally below 4.0) which is too low to allow the growth of bacterial.

There is extensive evidence that active Manuka honey is effective in promoting the healing of wounds, burns and skin ulcers, helping to reduce inflammation, swelling and pain. This wound healing activity of Manuka honey is due to its antimicrobial properties. Proper healing of a wound without leaving scars requires a moist environment, which is a challenge because moisture promotes microbial growth. Active Manuka honey will prevent microbial growth while retaining the moisture necessary for proper healing.

During the course of the past few decades, antibiotics have been used recklessly in by doctors. This has resulted in the widespread emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, in particular the resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) that plague hospitals and communities. Staph aureus is highly sensitive to active Manuka honey, highlighting the value of this honey as natural remedy.

The most affective strength of active Manuka Honey is a medium strength (UMF 12-16). Only a very small percentage of active Manuka Honey is produced in New Zealand that reaches extremely high UMF Ratings. However, UMF Ratings of 20, 25, 30 etc. are no more affective than a medium strength Manuka honey in the UMF 12-16 range. Some unscrupulous beekeepers in New Zealand have been known to heat their Manuka honey in an attempt to increase the UMF rating. However, heating Manuka honey can compromise the integrity of its healing properties.

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.

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.

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.

Important Questions Answered about Manuka Honey

What is Manuka Honey?

Manuka Honey is produced by bees that utilize the nectar of the flowers that grow on the Manuka plant (indigenous to New Zealand) also known as the Manuka tea tree.

What makes Manuka Honey different than ordinary honey?

All types of honey have some levels of healing properties. The differences between honeys are predicated on the plant-derived, floral nectar component used by the bees that produce it. Honey produced by bees that use the nectar of the Manuka flower contains far more healing properties than any other type of honey in the world. In addition, most Manuka Honey is raw and unprocessed. Most ordinary honey is heated and pasteurized so that it can flow easily through tubes during the packaging process. Most of the healing properties are destroyed when exposed to extreme heat. Raw honey contains live enzymes whereas processed honey is dead. Manuka Honey also contains more vitamins, minerals, amino acids and antioxidants than other types of honey.

What are the benefits of using Manuka Honey?

Manuka Honey is naturally antibacterial, antiviral, anti-fungal and anti-parasitic. Since so many health complications are caused by some type of harmful, infectious microorganism, Manuka Honey can be used to treat conditions caused by bacteria, virus, fungus or parasite. For reasons that have not yet been discovered, Manuka Honey only seems to destroy the harmful bacteria but leaves the good bacteria necessary for normal functioning.

What can Manuka Honey be used for?

When taken orally, Manuka Honey is effective in treating internal conditions such as stomach aches, stomach ulcers, sore throats, strep throat, acid reflux disease, heartburn, indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome, gastritis, cold and flu symptoms, etc.

When applied topically to the skin, Manuka Honey is effective in treating external conditions such as infected wounds, burns, eczema, psoriasis, ringworm (and other fungal infections), acne, MRSA Staph infections, pressure sores/bed sores, skin ulcers/diabetic foot ulcers, scars, wrinkles, surgical wounds, etc.

Manuka Honey can also be used to treat gum disease, sinus infections/sinusitis, urinary tract infections, eye infections, ear infections, arthritis, etc. Manuka Honey is particularly recognized for being able to successfully cure infections involving antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria such as MRSA and VRE, even when traditional forms of medicine have failed.

Is all Manuka Honey active and suitable for therapeutic use?

No. In New Zealand, where Manuka Honey is produced, a rating system exists that measures the antibacterial potency of the honey. The UMF rating system goes by a scale from 0 to 30. It’s generally accepted that Manuka Honey with a UMF rating of 10 or higher is considered to be active/medical-grade. Manuka Honey with a UMF rating of 0 through 9 should only be used for food purposes or as a sweetener. The higher the UMF rating, the higher the antibacterial potency. However, Manuka Honey with an extraordinarily high UMF rating is not desirable either (for example UMF 20, 25, 30). Manuka Honey that is overly potent is very rare, ridiculously expensive and completely overkill. In fact, there are reports of some people experiencing sensitivity to overly potent Manuka Honey, in the form of a burning or stinging sensation. The recommended potency for most applications is between UMF 10 and 16. UMF is an acronym for Unique Manuka Factor which refers to the antibacterial compound found in Manuka Honey.

Are there any downsides to using Manuka Honey for medicinal purposes?

Manuka Honey has been found to have no negative side effects. Even though Manuka Honey is a better sweetening alternative for diabetics than table sugar, they should still ingest it in moderation. Honey of any kind should not be fed to infants under the age of 12 months old, because of the presence of botulism spores.

Can Manuka Honey be used as a dietary supplement?

Manuka Honey contains less calories than table sugar and is processed in the body more efficiently. Because it’s packed with vitamins and antioxidants, it can also help to boost the immune system. Most people who take Manuka Honey on a regular basis find that they rarely get sick. Manuka Honey can also be an excellent energy booster. Table sugar is comprised mostly of sucrose, whereas Manuka Honey is comprised primarily of glucose and fructose. Sucrose has a tendency to spike blood sugar. However, Manuka Honey tends to stabilize blood sugar. The body uses the glucose for energy first. Once the glucose is done being used, the fructose is then converted to glucose and used to sustain energy longer.

If Manuka Honey has high sugar content, can it cause cavities or gum disease?

People think that sugar causes tooth decay and gum disease, but it is actually bacteria that does. Granted, bacteria feed on sugar and the more sugar there is in the mouth, the more bacteria will form. However, Manuka Honey contains such powerful antibacterial properties, that it destroys any bacteria present in the mouth that would normally cause tooth decay, gum disease or even bad breath.

Why is Manuka Honey so effective in treating wounds?

Manuka Honey contains powerful antibacterial properties that are effective in eliminating bacteria in a wound that may be causing infection, preventing the wound to heal. Manuka Honey also contains anti-inflammatory properties that help to relieve any pain associated with the wound. It has been known to form a moist healing environment which allows the scab to lift naturally off the surface of the wound. This, in turn, allows the newly forming skin to regrow flush with the surface of the skin, rather than below the scab, which would under normal circumstances, create deformity or scarring. The moist healing environment created by Manuka Honey also allows wound dressings to be changed without tearing off newly formed skin. Manuka Honey also has the ability to repair damaged skin and regenerate new skin growth at a faster rate than usual.

Can Manuka Honey also be used for cosmetic purposes?

Manuka Honey is considered to be a humectant, which means it has the ability to draw moisture from the atmosphere and lock it into skin cells. This makes it a desirable ingredient to use in cosmetic products. From an anti-aging perspective, Manuka Honey has been found to increase the production of collagen fibers and improve upon the elasticity of the skin. This visibly reduces the appearance of wrinkles and other signs of aging. Manuka Honey also protects the skin from free radical damage which is also another cause of aging.

How do you use Manuka Honey?

For internal use, it is recommended that one teaspoon of Manuka Honey be taken before breakfast, lunch and dinner and maybe even a fourth time before bed. If taking Manuka Honey orally off a spoon is not desirable, it can be spread on a piece of bread or toast. For maintenance purposes, one teaspoon per day is fine. For external use, Manuka Honey should be applied directly to the affected area, 1-2 times per day. If the affected area is in a location that can be easily smeared off, place the Manuka Honey on a bandage and then apply the bandage directly to the affected area. To avoid the sticky mess associated with using Manuka Honey topically, it is recommended to use a skin care product that contains Manuka Honey.

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

Manuka Honey Used in Cancer Treatment

Medicine may be increasingly high-tech, but the latest wonder treatment which is being offered to patients is honey.

Recently, it was announced that bandages soaked in Manuka Honey are to be given to mouth cancer patients at the Christie Hospital in Manchester to reduce their chances of contracting the MRSA superbug and to lessen wound inflammation following surgery. This is just the latest study investigating this particular type of honey’s healing powers.

Manuka Honey is used routinely at the Manchester Royal Infirmary for dressing wounds, and other research has found it can fight gum disease, ease digestive problems and soothe sore throats. In addition to its internal uses, Manuka Honey can also be used externally on the skin to treat conditions such as infected wounds, eczema, ringworm, acne, etc.

All honey contains hydrogen peroxide, a substance once used as a wound disinfectant in hospitals. It comes from an enzyme that bees add to nectar. It also contains the enzyme glucose oxidase, which boosts its antibacterial properties. This was recognized by the ancient Egyptians and Greeks, who used honey to help heal burns and sores. However, it has been recognized that Manuka Honey from New Zealand contains higher levels of these healing properties, more so than any other type of honey.

Medicinal Honey and Apitherapy

It is scientifically known that honey is the most valuable bee byproduct. Even more so than propolis, bee venom, royal jelly and beeswax. Honey is a supersaturated solution of sugars, mainly fructose, glucose, and maltose, with traces of sucrose, glucose oxidase, hydrogen peroxide, phenolics, flavonoids, terpenes, etc. These sugars make honey hydroscopic (moisture absorbing) and viscous. The flavanoids, phenolic and terpenes make honey antibacterial and prevent microbial growth.

Researchers are now paying particularly close attention to a special type of honey that seems to have more healing properties than all the others. This unique type of honey is known as Manuka Honey which is derived from the nectar of the flowers that grow on the Manuka tea tree, indigenous to New Zealand.

Studies have proven that Manuka Honey is effective as a wound dressing and disinfectant. Manuka Honey has antibacterial activity, due primarily to hydrogen peroxide formed in a slow-release manner by certain enzymes that are present in the honey. The difference in antibacterial potency among different honeys is more than 100-fold. However, active Manuka Honey contains an additional antibacterial component found only in honey produced from Manuka plants. This additional antibacterial component has become known as the unique manuka factor (UMF). There is evidence that the two antibacterial components (hydrogen peroxide and UMF) may have a synergistic action. The unique manuka factor is not affected by the catalase enzyme present in body tissue and serum, which also makes Manuka Honey more ideal for medical use than other honeys.

Manuka Honey is ideal for the promotion of health and well being. It can be used for healing of wounds, burns and gastric ulcers. The basis for the wound healing properties of Manuka Honey is its antibacterial, moisturizing, fluid removal and oxygen barrier properties. These healing properties are provided by a high concentration of glucose which is not only a highly nutritional component but also increases protective function of liver, strengthens the cardiovascular system and improves the body’s resistibility towards infections and stimulates the immune system. Manuka Honey also contains high concentrations of vitamins, micro-elements, minerals and antioxidants.

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

Measuring the Antibacterial Potency of Manuka Honey

Manuka honey is an amazing natural resource which is used to treat and heal many health conditions and chronic health complications. Manuka Honey is a byproduct of bees which feed on the flowers of the Manuka plant which grows throughout New Zealand.

The Maori have been using Manuka honey for many ailments. Manuka Honey has been scientifically proven to have a high level of antioxidants and antibacterial activity. It’s important to know that these properties have been known to vary from batch to batch. Therefore, each batch of Manuka Honey differs in regards to its therapeutic usages. Because of this variation, Manuka honey is now laboratory tested, graded and certified by regulatory commissions in New Zealand that regulate the production of Manuka Honey.

The primary rating system used is the UMF scale which has been in existence for about 10 years. This scale tests the honey against some of the most powerful antibacterial agents, such as carbolic and phenol. This test measures the antibacterial potency of the honey. Manuka Honey UMF 16+ has the same antibacterial potency of a 16% solution of phenol or carbolic.

With Manuka Honey becoming a more commercial product, there has been an emergence of additional rating systems, such as MGO, AAH and Molan Gold Standard. MGO measures the amount of Methylglyoxal which is one of the antibacterial components present in Manuka Honey. Manuka Honey MGO 400 consist of 400 mg of methylglyoxal per 1 kg of honey.

The different systems that are available to rate Manuka Honey’s antibacterial potency, whether it be UMF, MGO, AAH or the Molan Gold Standard, each are registered trademarks of the various organizations and regulatory commissions that developed them. Each of these companies have published press releases indicating that their system is more accurate than the next. This can be confusing to consumers who just want to purchase Manuka Honey that is effective. It is generally accepted that Manuka Honey with a UMF rating of 10 or higher is considered to be active and suitable for therapeutic use. Manuka Honey UMF 10+ is equal to MGO 100+ or AAH 470+.

Manuka Honey with a UMF rating between 10 and 16 is appropriate for most applications. Manuka Honey that is higher than 16 is usually more expensive and is generally not required. Manuka Honey UMF 16+ is the most recommended potency.

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