Today’s news reports on scientific proof that Honey, specifically Manuka Honey, is at the forefront for the treatment and healing of wounds. This firmly puts Mother Nature back in the driving seat following the many years of penicillin and antibiotic drugs preference of the twentieth century.
Honey has been known for its powerful healing properties for thousands of years from the ancient Greeks to the Second World War and the bees are now getting the recognition they deserve.
Biochemist Professor Peter Molan from his Honey Research Unit at the University of Waikato, in New Zealand, has identified one particular type of honey with extraordinary healing qualities. Manuka Honey made from bees that feast on the Manuka Bush.
Professor Molan has further proven that honey made from the flowers of the Manuka bush, a native of New Zealand, has antibacterial properties over and above those of other honeys.
Manuka has a mystery ingredient as Professor Molan reports: "In all honeys, there is - to different levels - hydrogen peroxide produced from an enzyme that bees add to the nectar. In Manuka honey there's something else besides the hydrogen peroxide. And there's nothing like that ever been found anywhere else in the world. It works on bacteria, fungi, protozoa. We haven't found anything it doesn't work on among infectious organisms."
That "something else" has proved very hard to pin down. Even now, after more than twenty years of research, Peter Molan still has not identified what exactly it is. But he has given it a name: unique Manuka factor, or UMF.
Professor Molan has found a way to measure its antibacterial efficacy, by comparing UMF Manuka honey with a standard antiseptic (carbolic, or phenol) in its ability to fight bacteria. The results are astonishing. In fact, he says: “UMF Manuka honey can even tackle antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria - a growing problem for hospitals around the world. And that includes the antibiotic resistant strains - the MRSA - which is just as sensitive to honey as any other staphylococcus aureas."
Clinical trials at the Waikato Hospital have shown that even out of the lab, UMF Manuka honey has amazing healing properties.
Following this a New Zealand natural health products company, Comvita, in alliance with Dr Molan are taking UMF manuka honey one step further. Together they have set up a new medical products division to take new hi-tech honey dressings to the international market.
The new dressings are like a sheet of rubber that you can touch without it being sticky to take the mess out of honey.
Comvita's Ray Lewis said "Previously untreatable wounds of many types are now found to be treatable by honey."
All of this fantastic natural healing research is great news for the medical world. At beflattered.com we already know that there’s more to Manuka Honey than spreading it on your toast.
Sipping a spoonful of Manuka Honey in hot water can help soothe a sore throat – in fact this is a tip from public speakers to keep the throat and voice clear.
Plus our hands, knees, nails and cracked heels have been benefiting from Manuka Honey in the Apicare Treatment products helping get rid of dry, chapped ageing and damaged skin. In addition these products are:
- Highly moisturising and help improve cell regeneration
- Made with active Manuka honey that has been tested and certified as Active at the UMF 16+ level
- Hypo-allergenic and pH balanced
- Never tested on animals
- No mineral oils
- No added colours
Take a look for yourself...
