THE MARVELS OF ACTIVE 10+ MANUKA HONEY

Manuka is found all over New Zealand from sea level to about 1000metres located in the native forests of New Zealand. Local New Zealanders have accepted it as common wisdom that Manuka honey is a superior treatment for wound infections. The Manuka tree was traditionally used for its health giving properties by the New Zealand Maori. Manuka honey is gathered in New Zealand from the manuka bush, Leptospermum scoparium which grows uncultivated throughout the country. It grows either as a shrub of varying form or as a small tree up to four metres, and often forms extensive areas of scrub. The leaves are dotted with oil glands, and when bruised give off a gingery peppery smell. The flowers grow singly and vary from brilliant white through to rose-pink. Manuka flowers from early December to early January.

Honey has been used as a medicine since ancient times in many cultures and is still used in “folk medicine”. The use of honey as a therapeutic substance has been rediscovered by the medical profession in more recent times, and it is gaining acceptance as an antibacterial agent for the treatment of ulcers and bed sores, and other surface infections resulting from burns and wounds.

In Modern medicine honey has been replaced by antibiotics for the treatment of bacterial infections.

The antibacterial activity of honey appears to have been reported first by Van Ketel in 1892. In many cases, honey was used on infections not responding to standard antibiotic and antiseptic therapy. It was found in almost all of the cases to be very effective in rapidly clearing infection and promoting healing. Honey has been convincingly shown to have a potent antibacterial activity, effective against a broad spectrum of species, and to have antifungal properties as well. Results indicate manuka may contain the greatest antibacterial activity of any honey previously recorded anywhere.

Honey is now gaining wider acceptance by the medical profession for use as an agent for the treatment of ulcers and bedsores, and other surface infections resulting from burns and wounds. In many cases it is being used with success on infections not responding to standard antibiotic and antiseptic therapy. It’s effectiveness in rapidly clearing up infection and promoting healing is not surprising in light of the large number of research findings on its antibacterial activity.

The components responsible for the antibacterial activity of honey

Acidity

The pH of honey is low enough to slow down or prevent the growth of many species of bacteria.

Osmolarity

The high sugar content of honey makes the water unavailable for micro-organisms: no bacteria or fungi can grow in fully ripened honey.

Hydrogen Peroxide

The glucose oxidase enzyme activated by dilutions of honey generates hydrogen peroxide which generally is the major antibacterial factor of honey.

Other Components including NEW DISCOVERY, MGO.

Honey from some floral sources contain various antibacterial substances, presumably by certain species of plants, which in some cases can account for a large part of the antibacterial activity of the honey. This is especially true for Manuka honey, as German scientists have recently discovered what the compound is that is the unique manuka factor. It is known as MGO(methylglyoxal). Researchers tested more than 80 honeys from around the world and found MGO levels between 350 and 700 mg/kg in manuka honey samples. other types of honey contained only 0-10 mg/kg.

Manuka Honey may help heal stomach and duodenal ulcers

Two Australian researchers reported that peptic ulcers were not caused by stress, type “A” personalities or hydrochloric acid. They said stomach and duodenal ulcers were triggered by a spiral-shaped bacterium, Helibacter pylori. Antibiotics were suggested as a method to eradicate H. pylori but there are problems with antibiotics. Organisms can become resistant and some patients suffer side effects. It has been suggested that Manuka honey be used to treat peptic ulcers because of its antibiotic power.

Dr Molan, Associate Professor in Biochemistry, Waikato University, New Zealand, has been studying the anti-microbial effects of honey since 1981. He has scientifically shown that most honeys have varying degrees of healing properties due to a naturally occurring hydrogen peroxide agent. He found that when honey comes into contact with body moisture the glucose oxidase enzyme introduced to the honey by the bee, slowly releases the antiseptic hydrogen peroxide this is released at sufficient levels to be effective against bacteria but not tissue damaging.

Claridges Manuka Honey

Claridges Organic Active 10+ Manuka Honey is a dark honey with a pleasant distinctive flavour. Manuka honey’s thick texture is due to its protein content. Honey can be eaten on toast or bread. When the feeling of a sore throat or cold is coming on try taking one teaspoon of Manuka honey from time to time throughout the day.

Caution

Do not cease regular medication without Doctors consent. Diabetics use discretion if taking honey orally. Stop usage of manuka honey if you get a bad reaction.

References

Molan PC. The antibacterial activity of honey. 1. The nature if the antibacterial activity. Bee World 1992; 73(1): 5-28.

Molan PC. The antibacterial activity of honey. 2. Variation in the potency of the antibacterial activity. Bee World 1992; 73(2): 59-76.