Dark, and strongly flavoured honey is made by normal honey bees but is created using the nectar of one plant, namely the Manuka bush found in Australia and New Zealand. Manuka honey has been found to have several antimicrobial properties, but the potency of these varies by region and manufacturer.
Top Advantages of Manuka Honey
Honey is Antimicrobial
Most honey contains an enzyme that, when diluted, produces hydrogen peroxide, the same substance commonly used to clean wounds. It also contains a very high sugar content; surprisingly, although sugar is a food source for bacteria, high concentrations of sugar prevent microbial growth.
Wound Healing Properties
Honey has been used to treat infected wounds for thousands of years. Its use dwindled with the development of antibiotics but is rekindling now that many strains of bacteria have become antibiotic-resistant. Interestingly, Manuka has been shown to prevent the replication of MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), a common "superbug" frequently found in hospitals. When compared with conventional treatments, Manuka honey is more effective for treating superficial and partial-thickness burns of the skin.
Manuka Honey As A Mouthwash
Honey has been shown to stop the growth of dental plaque almost equally to chlorhexidine mouthwash and also reduces the amount of acid produced in the mouth. Acid is the main factor promoting the loss of enamel in the teeth. Since the disease processes of gingivitis and periodontal disease are similar to the inflammation involved in infected wounds, honey may be a potential treatment option. It is excellent at helping to clear infection, and rapidly reducing pain and inflammation. Honey is also far gentler on surrounding healthy tissues than many antiseptics, and has even been found to stimulate the growth of cells that promote wound repair.
Understanding The Unique Manuka Factor (UMF)
It has been shown that honey contains an enzyme that produces hydrogen peroxide when diluted with water. Manuka honey has been shown to contain other antimicrobial substances in addition to this enzyme found in all honey. This additional antimicrobial activity is measured as the "unique Manuka factor" or UMF, which varies by source and manufacturer, and is often listed on product labels. This is a standardization of its antimicrobial activity against a phenol solution of known concentration. Manuka honey with a UMF of 15 is as efficient at killing Staphylococcus aureus (a common skin pathogen), as a 15% phenol solution. This scale allows for the comparison of different Manuka honey products against one another for antimicrobial activity.
Manuka's Key Properties
It has been proposed that the active ingredient of Manuka honey that creates its additional anti-microbial ability is methylglyoxal (MGO). Because of this, one company standardizes its product to MGO levels instead of UMF. This is not an industry standard, and may not be a valid standardization. In general, honey with all MGO levels above 30 will have a UMF of at least 10, and so should be good sources of antimicrobial action.
Shopping Tips For Quality Manuka Honey
Manuka honey is available from most supplement stores and is made by several different companies. In general, a UMF of 10 is the minimum for anti-microbial action. MGO levels are not industry standard for comparison, but in general, all Manuka honey with an MGO greater than 30 will have a UMF greater than 10. Manuka honey can be applied topically under a dressing to treat a burn or wound. Dressings should be checked every 2 days. It can also be used internally to help kill bacteria in the throat or simply added to food for flavour.
Important Information & Considerations
Unpasteurized honey may contain spores of Clostridium botulinum, the bacterium that causes botulism. Because of this, unpasteurized honey should not be fed to immunocompromised individuals or children under the age of 12 months.
