Rediscovering Honey's Healing Power

Honey is becoming a very popular ingredient in health care and cosmetic products thanks to a manufacturer called Honeymark.

Honey has been known for its healing properties for many years as far back as the Ancient Greeks and Egyptians. Even up to world war II, honey was being used for its antibacterial properties in treating wounds and a variety of other health conditions. However, with the advent of penicillin and other antibiotic drugs in the 20th century, honey's medicinal qualities have taken less seriously and regarded as merely a home remedy.

That way of thinking might be about to change thanks to Honeymark International, a manufacturer of health care products that utilizes a special type of honey in its health care products. Honey made from the flowers that grow on the manuka bush, indigenous to New Zealand, has been found to have antibacterial properties more so than other types of honey and even antibiotics. All types of honey contains a certain amount of hydrogen peroxide produced by an enzyme that bees add to the nectar. Manuka Honey is different in that it has an additional antibacterial component called the Unique Manuka Factor (UMF). This antibacterial component found in Manuka Honey has amazing healing properties that dwarfs the ability of even modern day pharmaceuticals.

Manuka Honey kills bacteria, fungi and protozoa with absolutely no negative side effects. So far Scientists haven't found any infectious organisms that it doesn't work on, including antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria such as MRSA, which is a growing problem for hospitals and communities around the world. Staphylococcus aureas is the most common wound-infecting species of bacteria. Manuka Honey has been tested and proven to completely wipe out MRSA and heal Staph infections in laboratory tests and is now being used in hospitals as an effective treatment. Wound dressings with Manuka Honey have also been used to treat leg ulcers, pressure sores and surgical wounds, particularly for diabetic patients. It has an anti-inflammatory effect as well which helps reduce pain.

In addition to capturing a percentage of the 6 billion dollar a year wound care market, Honeymark also has a full range of Manuka Honey products such as creams for eczema, psoriasis, insect bites/stings, burns, pain relief, poison ivy/oak and even an antifungal solution which is effective in treating conditions such as ringworm, athlete's foot, jock itch and nail fungus. "Honeymark is in the process of expanding its line of Manuka Honey products to include cosmetic products such as a moisturizer, anti-aging serum, shampoo and conditioner," says Frank Buonanotte, CEO of Honeymark International. "We'll also be introducing antibacterial and antimicrobial products to the market such as a sanitizing hand gel, liquid hand soap and an antibacterial spray which has been tested for its effectiveness in destroying MRSA."

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

Honey is the Solution for Infected Wounds

The healing properties of honey have been known since Pythagoras’ time. Now, scientists believe that one particular type of honey called, Manuka Honey, has antibacterial properties that can be used to treat everything from infected wounds to eczema.
The buzz about Manuka Honey's healing power is growing. Once regarded as a home remedy, Manuka Honey is increasingly being used to treat everything from ringworm to arthritis. Made by bees that collect pollen from the manuka bush (Leptospermum scoparium) which grows wild in New Zealand, Manuka Honey has been found to effectively treat wounds and skin ulcers that have failed to respond to standard medicine.

Manuka Honey not only clears infection and helps tissue healing process but it has also been found in clinical studies to reduce inflammation and scarring. Its healing properties appear to be due to the presence of the enzyme glucose oxidase, which produces hydrogen peroxide (a known antiseptic) in a slow-release manner. Manuka Honey's high sugar concentration inhibits bacterial growth.

Manuka Honey has an additional antibacterial component in it that other types of honey do now have. This antibacterial component has become known as the Unique Manuka Factor (UMF). The number of the UMF rating is equivalent to the percentage of a standard antiseptic. For example, Manuka Honey with a UMF rating of 10+ is about the equivalent to a 10% solution of a standard antiseptic. Scientists report that Manuka Honey with a UMF rating of less than 10+ does not have any medicinal value.

Scientists have discovered that Manuka Honey has an 85% success rate for the treatment of infected postoperative Caesarean sections and hysterectomy wounds, compared to conventional treatments which had only a 50% success rate for routine treatments.

Because of its amazing healing properties, Manuka Honey is now being used as a main ingredient in health care products. Honeymark International is one manufacturer that is utilizing Manuka Honey as a healing agent. "Manuka Honey is so powerful that it is actually destroying antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria such as MRSA," says Frank Buonanotte, CEO of Honeymark International. "Our First Aid Antiseptic Lotion with Manuka Honey has been successful in healing staph infections where nothing else worked." Honeymark also has other Manuka Honey-based products that are effective in treating dermatitis, fungal conditions and pain.

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

Studies Show that Honey Promotes Healing

Honey could be the new antibiotic, according Honeymark International, manufacturer of health care products containing Active Manuka Honey as a healing agent.


Bacteria protect themselves from antibiotics by forming slimy clumps as a protective layer. However, scientists have now discovered that honey is effective in breaking down this protective barrier. Bacteria is the main cause for wounds not healing fast enough and with the recent outbreaks of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria, this is becoming more of a problem.

If bacteria multiply enough to form a slimy mass or bio-film, they are much less sensitive to antibiotics and antiseptics. Doctors treating infected wounds need to remove this bio-film so that they can prevent the spread of bacteria. Bio-films prevent healing in wounds and may lead to chronic ulcers.

Laboratory studies indicate that wounds treated with a special type of honey known as "Manuka Honey" are able to heal more rapidly and the bio-film is disrupted. This suggests that Manuka Honey could be a viable solution to treating infected wounds, more so than antibiotics. With the increase in MRSA cases and other hospital infections from antibiotic-resistant bacteria, doctors need more effective treatments.

A company called Honeymark International has developed an over-the-counter wound dressing containing Manuka Honey that is effective against tough bio-films and bacteria. This First Aid Antiseptic Lotion with Manuka Honey is effective in treating staph infections and other hard to heal wounds. It's also effective in treating burns and skin ulcers. "The reason why Manuka Honey is more effective in destroying bacteria is because Manuka Honey has the ability to draw water out of the bacteria, making it impossible for the bacteria to survive," says Frank Buonanotte, CEO of Honeymark International. "As a result Manuka Honey is the most important ingredient to consider for wound care products as nothing else has proven to be as effective."

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

Using Honey to Heal Infections

After decades of disregarding the amazing healing properties of honey, modern doctors are reconsidering its medicinal value.

Honey has been used for centuries to treat a wide variety of medical conditions such as wounds, burns, skin ulcers and scrapes. Now researchers are discovering strong antimicrobial properties in a special type of honey which is made by honeybees that gather nectar from a particular flower, indigenous to New Zealand. This special honey is called "Manuka Honey" and it is now being used as a main ingredient in various health care products on account of its incredible ability to heal.

Even though honey was used as a medicine thousands of years ago, it lost its popularity as a wound dressing when antibiotics were invented during World War II. However, new research is bringing this natural remedy back into the contemporary medical use, especially with the increase in Staph infections and findings of antibiotic-resistant strains bacteria.

Manuka Honey helps wounds in several ways. Its thickness provides a protective barrier around the wound. The hydrogen peroxide it contains is released slowly, killing bacteria that may exist in the wound. Manuka Honey also reduces inflammation and speeds up the growth of healthy tissue. It even makes wounds smell better. Scientists believe this could be because when the bacteria in wounds eat the sugar that's in the honey, they give off sweeter smelling gases. Patients that use Manuka Honey dressings on their wounds report that they experience less pain, leaking of wound fluid and scarring.

The special bacteria-killing properties found in Manuka Honey comes from the nectar of the flowers on the tea tree (Leptospermum) which grows wild in New Zealand. This antibacterial component has become known as the "Unique Manuka Factor" or more commonly known as UMF. Manuka Honey has been proven in clinical studies to destroy MRSA and heal staph infections where antibiotics have failed. This is gaining increased interest within the medical community as more cases of antibiotic-resistant bacteria plague our hospitals and communities. Manuka Honey has worked in very desperate cases where nothing else has.

To make Manuka Honey, beekeepers set their hives close to tea trees so the bees will gather their nectar. Since the Manuka tree is indigenous to New Zealand and certain parts of Australia, this special type of honey is becoming quite a commodity.

Studies so far have found no negative side effects to using Manuka Honey for medical purposes either internally or topically on the skin. One U.S. manufacturer called Honeymark International uses Manuka Honey in all their health care products and is now developing a line of cosmetic products containing Manuka Honey, due to be released later this year. "Honeymark currently has products to treat conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, infected wounds, arthritis, ringworm, athlete's foot, etc.," says Frank Buonanotte, CEO of Honeymark International. "Shortly we'll be introducing a Shampoo, Conditioner, Moisturizer, Liquid Hand Soap, Antiseptic Spray, Sanitizing Hand Gel and an Anti-Aging Serum, all containing Manuka Honey."

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

Honey, the New Antibiotic

In the wake of an increasing number of cases involving antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria, medical professionals seek refuge in a special type of honey containing powerful antibacterial and antimicrobial properties to treat Staph infections and MRSA.

An old household remedy is finding its way back into modern medicine. Scientists are now discovering that a particular type of honey is more effective in treating wounds than most antibiotics. Even chronic wounds infected with antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria can be healed quickly with this honey. It's called 'Manuka Honey' and it comes from beehives located in New Zealand.

The use of honey for medical purposes was known to the ancient Egyptians thousands of years ago. Even in the last two world wars, bandages with honey were used to treat wounded soldiers. However, the advent of antibiotics replaced this household remedy with the misconception that medicine was more effective than honey. The problem is that today we are faced with germs that are resistant to almost all types of antibiotics. As a result, the medical use of honey is becoming attractive again for the treatment of wounds. The reason being is that recent studies show that honey is actually more effective, despite what doctors once thought.

When using dressings containing Manuka Honey, dead tissue is rejected faster and wounds heals more rapidly. In addition, changing bandages is less painful, because with honey they are easier to remove without damaging the newly formed layers of skin. Some wounds often smell unpleasant which can be an enormous strain on the patient. Honey also helps in this instance by reducing malodor. Even wounds that don't heal for years can be brought under control with the use of Manuka Honey within a few weeks. Less serious wounds can be healed with Manuka Honey in a few days or even within a few hours.

"It has already been proved that Manuka Honey can destroy antibiotic-resident bacteria such as MRSA, says Frank Buonanotte, CEO of Honeymark International, manufacturer of Manuka Honey products. "Additionally, Manuka Honey is also known to have an antiseptic effect." When producing honey, bees add an enzyme called glucose-oxidase. This enzyme produces small amounts of hydrogen peroxide which is an effective antiseptic. The advantage of the hydrogen peroxide found in honey is that small concentrations are able to kill the bacteria because it is constantly being produced in a slow-release manner. Normally, much larger quantities of hydrogen peroxide are required because hydrogen peroxide loses its potency over time. However, in large concentrations it damages skin cells. This is a side effect that does not occur with honey.

Manuka Honey, also known as Leptospermum Honey, comes from a tree species that grows in New Zealand and Australia. Honey from these trees has a particularly strong anti-bacterial effect, even when diluted. Honeybees gather nectar from the flowers that grow on this tree and take it back to their hives where they produce this unique type of honey. "What makes Manuka Honey more potent in treating wounds and other health conditions is the present of an additional antibacterial compound other than hydrogen peroxide," says Buonanotte. "This other antibacterial component has become known as the unique Manuka factor, also known as UMF."

Honeymark's wound care product containing Active UMF Manuka Honey is called "First Aid Antiseptic Lotion" and it is available on their website. Honeymark expects to have their products on the shelves of major retailers later this year. In addition to their wound dressing, Honeymark also makes Manuka Honey products that are effective in treating eczema, arthritis, ringworm, athlete's foot, psoriasis, etc. Honeymark also plans to introduce a cosmetic line containing Manuka Honey by mid 2008. For more information or to purchase Manuka Honey products, call 1-866-427-7329 or visit www.HoneymarkProducts.com.

Destroying the MRSA Super-bug With Manuka Honey

With nectar from a particular flower indigenous to New Zealand, Honeybees make a special type of honey with incredible healing properties.

Recent studies show an increase in bacterial infections that are resistant to antibiotics. In order to combat these new strains, medical professionals are resorting to the use of Manuka Honey as a viable alternative to traditional forms of medicine. Used for medical purposes thousands of years ago, the antibacterial and antimicrobial properties of honey have been rediscovered by the medical profession where conventional drugs have been found ineffective. In addition to having antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, Manuka Honey has been known to have anti-fungal properties and anti-inflammatory properties as well, making it an extremely valuable resource.

Not all honey is the same as Dioscorides and Aristotle discovered thousands of years ago. In the wake of all the reported staph infections, scientists have been researching the antimicrobial properties of Manuka Honey against MRSA which is a bacteria that is resistant to antibiotics. Even though regular honey contains some level of antibacterial activity, only Manuka Honey is powerful enough to destroy antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria such as MRSA. Manuka Honey comes from the hives of honeybees that gather nectar from the flowers of the manuka bush (Leptospermum scoparium) which grows wild throughout New Zealand. Manuka Honey has been tested for antibacterial activity and contains a property found only in honey made from the Leptospermum plants. This property is called the “unique manuka factor” (UMF) which produces a more potent antibacterial action. This property also makes Manuka Honey more stable and active in all situations, unlike other types of honey which loses its effectiveness under certain conditions, such as being exposed to heat or light.

Manuka Honey has been used successfully in wound dressings and is now being used by a company called Honeymark as a main ingredient in their health care products. Honeymark has recently hired BioScreen, a laboratory in California to conduct third-part product testing to certify their products' effectiveness in destroying MRSA. "As a wound dressing, Active UMF Manuka Honey reduces inflammation, swelling and pain quickly," says Frank Buonanotte, CEO of Honeymark International. "This healing occurs much faster in conditions where standard antibiotic and antiseptic treatment was not working. In addition to quickening the healing process, another benefit of using Manuka Honey on wounds is that it doesn't cause tissue damage or scaring as other antiseptics do."

There are many reports of Staph infections being completely inhibited by Manuka Honey. Manuka Honey is also an antioxidant, containing flavanoids with anti-carcinogenic properties. It's important to note that these properties do not exist in other types of honey. Honeymark uses Active Manuka Honey with a UMF rating of 10+ to ensure its effectiveness, says Buonanotte.

In addition to being extremely effective in treating infected wounds, Manuka Honey has also been used for other health conditions such as ring worm, athlete's foot, burns, arthritis, eczema and other forms of dermatitis. For more information or to purchase Manuka Honey products, call 1-866-427-7329 or visit www.HoneymarkProducts.com.

Buy Manuka Honey Products

Honey Soon to Replace Medicine?

For thousands of years, honey has been a popular folk medicine around the world for ailments ranging from ulcers to infected wounds. Recent studies have reinforced honey's superiority to the standard medical treatments for burns, skin ulcers, and wounds. New research has focused on one type of honey with an exceptionally high level of antibacterial activity. The research has found that this type of honey, known as 'Manuka Honey' is even powerful enough to combat antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria such as MRSA and capable of clearing Staph infections.

All types of honey have some antibacterial properties, partly due to the combination of a high concentration of sugar (glucose and fructose) and acid. In addition, scientists have come to understand that honey's antibacterial properties are also due to hydrogen peroxide which is formed in a slow-release manner by the enzyme, glucose oxidase present in honey. Manuka Honey has an additional antibacterial component which has become known as "the Unique Manuka Factor" or UMF.

Studies demonstrate that Manuka Honey hastens the healing process while avoiding the risks associated with traditional medical treatments. For example, antibiotics cause cell damage, and topical hydrogen peroxide in high concentrations cause tissue damage. However, the moist environment created by Manuka Honey is not only essential for tissue re-growth but Manuka Honey also reduces the pain and cell damage that occurs when dried-out dressings are changed. In addition to having a potent antibacterial activity, Manuka Honey has a debriding action, an anti-inflammatory action and a stimulatory effect on wound healing and tissue growth.

Despite the published evidence, medical professionals have been reluctant to replace antibiotics and antiseptics with Manuka Honey. Although, the recent outbreak of Staph infections, MRSA and other antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria may make medical professionals reevaluate their approach. The ancient Egyptians and Greeks knew better. Aristotle wrote of honey as being a good salve for sore eyes and wounds. Honey can differ according to the region, season, and floral sources. Manuka Honey is the only honey that is rated and tested for its antibacterial properties. Manuka Honey's high potency comes from the nectar of the flowers that grow on the tea tree known as the Manuka bush which grows wild throughout New Zealand. Honeybees carry twice their weight in nectar back to their hives where they manufacturer this unique type of honey.

Manuka Honey also has the ability to retain its potency, more so than other types of honey, even when diluted. For example, hydrogen peroxide is diminished or destroyed by contact with the catalase enzyme present in the blood and other body fluids. A similar destructive scenario occurs when honey comes in contact with boiling water. In other words, taking honey with hot tea for a sore throat might be counterproductive. However, Manuka Honey retains a high degree of its antibacterial activity in both circumstances.

"Studies have been conducted around the world demonstrating that honey produces faster results with fewer complications compared to traditional forms of medicine and pharmaceuticals for everything from eczema to ringworm, says Frank Buonanotte, CEO of Honeymark International, manufacturer of Manuka Honey products. "In addition to antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, Manuka Honey has been determined to have natural anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties making it effective for the treatment of arthritis, muscle and joint pain, athlete's foot and other fungal conditions."

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

Manuka Honey Proves to Be More Effective than Medicine

Honey has been used for medical purposes in cultures around the world for many years to treat a wide variety of health symptoms such as eczema, psoriasis, infected wounds, ringworm, arthritis, athlete's foot, burns, poison ivy, etc. Honey’s medicinal benefits are primarily due to its antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. Scientists have found that bacteria and other microorganisms cannot grow or reproduce in honey because of the acid that exists. In addition, honey does not provide the water and oxygen needed to support bacterial growth.

Honey also contains an enzyme called glucose oxidase. When combined with water and oxygen, glucose oxidase forms gluconic acid and hydrogen peroxide which is used by doctors as a disinfectant for wounds. This means that honey can be used as an antiseptic while being far less likely to harm already damaged tissue than ordinary hydrogen peroxide.

Honey applied topically to a wound promotes healing just as well as, or in many cases better than, traditional ointments and dressings. Its antibacterial properties prevent infection and promote the healing process. It also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent, reducing both swelling and pain. Honey has even been known to reduce scarring and malodor. In clinical studies around the world, honey has been shown to be extraordinarily effective in the treatment of wounds, burns, and surgical incisions. Honey also functions as a moisturizer, making it an effective treatment for sunburn as well as a skin softener.

Manuka honey is made from the nectar of the flowers found on the Manuka bush (Leptospermum scoparium) which grows wild throughout New Zealand. In addition to hydrogen peroxide, Manuka Honey also contains an additional antibacterial component which has become known as the Unique Manuka Factor or UMF. This secondary antibacterial component has been found to be more effective in clearing infections than the compounds found in ordinary honey . Honey with a UMF rating of 10 or higher is even effective in destroying the super-bugs associated with antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria such as MRSA and VRE.

"Not all honey is created equal," says Frank Buonanotte, CEO of Honeymark International, a manufacturer of health care products containing Active Manuka Honey as a healing agent. "The chemical composition of honey depends primarily on the floral source. Honeybees in New Zealand gather nectar from the flowers that grow on the Manuka bush and take this nectar back to their hives where they manufacture this unique type of honey that has amazing healing properties. Active UMF Manuka Honey is the only honey that is rated and tested for its antibacterial and antimicrobial properties which is why we use in it our products."

Honeymark sells products for eczema, psoriasis, arthritis, wound care, ringworm, athlete's foot and other health conditions. For more information or to purchase Manuka Honey products, call 1-866-427-7329 or visit www.HoneymarkProducts.com.

Honey, the Natural Healer

Sometimes modern medicine doesn't take the power of natural remedies into consideration. There have been many instances where science has overlooked folk remedies and natural healing practices, only to be proven wrong in the end. Fortunately, more people are now becoming aware that pharmaceuticals aren't always the best solution.

Honey is finally gaining it's well-deserved recognition as recent studies display its amazing healing properties. The general public is beginning to recognize that honey is very good for our bodies, both internally and externally. Honey has been used for medical purposes in India, Egypt, Greece and Africa for thousands of years. However, a specific type of honey known as "Manuka Honey" (indigenous to New Zealand) is quickly gaining popularity as the ideal type of honey to use as an ingredient in various medical products because of its strong antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties.

For the past two decades, researchers at the University of Waikato have been discovering that Manuka Honey is a superior form of treatment for infected wound. Manuka honey is made by bees that gather nectar from the flowers that grow on the manuka bush (also known as Leptospermum scoparium) which grows throughout New Zealand.

The clinical observations of the trial studies revealed that infection is rapidly cleared, inflammation, swelling and pain are quickly reduced and healing occurs rapidly with minimal scarring. The antimicrobial properties of honey prevent microbial growth in the moist healing environment created, and unlike other topical antiseptics, honey causes no tissue damage. Another benefit of using Manuka Honey as a wound dressing is that it prevents the dressing from sticking to the wound, so there is no pain or tissue damage when dressings are changed.

"Honey has antibacterial qualities, due primarily to hydrogen peroxide formed in a slow-release manner by the enzyme, glucose oxidase present," says Frank Buonanotte, CEO of Honeymark International, a manufacturer of health care products containing Active Manuka Honey as a healing agent. "Manuka Honey is the only honey that is tested for its antibacterial activity because it contains an additional antibacterial component found only in honey produced from Leptospermum plants. This additional antibacterial component has become known as the "Unique Manuka Factor" or UMF." There is also evidence that the two antibacterial components have a synergistic action.

Manuka Honey is considered to be the most valuable medicinal honey in the world. As a result, manufacturers are now utilizing this natural resource as a main ingredient in health care products. Such products include wound care lotions, pain relief creams, eczema products, anti-fungal solutions, etc. For more information or to purchase Manuka Honey products, call 1-866-427-7329 or visit www.HoneymarkProducts.com.

Brand: Honeymark
Products:
* Antiseptic Lotion – For wounds and burns
* Anti-Itch Cream – For eczema, psoriasis and poison ivy
* Anti-Fungal Solution – For ringworm, athlete’s foot and jock itch
* Pain Relief Cream – For arthritis, muscle and joint pain
Main Ingredient: Manuka Honey
Website: www.HoneymarkProducts.com
Contact: 1-866-427-7329

Honey in the Medicine Cabinet?

Honey has been used for centuries to treat a wide variety of medical conditions such as wounds, burns, skin ulcers and scrapes. Now researchers around the world are finding strong antibacterial and antimicrobial properties in certain types of honey.

Medical professions began taking honey less seriously as a wound dressing when antibiotic dressings were invented during World War II. However, with new research and the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, this old folk remedy is finding its way into new health care products as a medicinal ingredient.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australia's equivalent of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration) has approved honey as a medicine. A company based out of Long Island, New York called Honeymark is utilizing a special type of honey called "Manuka Honey" in their health care products and achieving tremendous results. Honeymark has developed health care products that are effective in treating health conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, arthritis, ringworm and wounds, all containing Manuka Honey as a healing agent.

"Manuka Honey helps wounds in several ways," says Frank Buonanotte, CEO of Honeymark International. "Its thickness provides a protective barrier preventing the wound from becoming infected. Hydrogen peroxide is produced in a slow-release manner, killing germs in the wound bed. Manuka Honey has also been found to reduce inflammation, providing a certain level of reduction in pain." Many studies in both animals and humans have documented these benefits mentioned by Buonanotte.

Researchers have also found special bacteria-killing properties in Manuka Honey made from the nectar of the tea tree (Leptospermum) which is also known as the manuka bush, indigenous to New Zealand. Beekeepers set their hives close to manuka bushes so the bees will gather their nectar. Scientists have found that this particular type of honey is especially effective in destroying MRSA (staphylococcus aureus). "Staph infections sometimes survive the most potent antibiotics, becoming fatal if entered into the bloodstream. However, Manuka Honey has worked in severe cases where nothing else had worked," says Buonanotte.

So far, studies have found no negative side effects when using Manuka Honey for medical purposes. Experts say that infants should not eat honey of any kind because of the risk of botulism. However, the use of Manuka Honey, topically on the skin, presents no health concern.

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

New Medical Use for Honey

Medicine may be considered a traditional remedy for most health concerns, but the latest wonder treatment which is being offered to patients is honey. Not just any honey though. Recent studies indicate that a particular type of honey called "Manuka Honey", seems to have the most healing properties out of all the various types of honey available. Manuka Honey is being used on patients in hospitals to reduce their chances of contracting the MRSA super-bug and to minimize wound inflammation after surgery.

Scientists and Medical Professionals have found that Manuka Honey is especially effective for dressing wounds. Other research has found it can even fight gum disease, ease digestive problems and soothe sore throats. All types of 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.

Manuka Honey, which is made by bees that collect pollen from a plant indigenous to New Zealand called the manuka bush (Leptospermum scoparium) has other ingredients which appear to have added health benefits. Frank Buonanotte, CEO of Honeymark International which is a manufacturer of health care products containing Manuka Honey, refers to these additional health benefits as the "Unique Manuka Factor" of UMF. For example, Manuka Honey with a UMF10 rating is thought to be equivalent to a 10% solution of a standard antiseptic.

Key Points:

* Manuka Honey has no known side effects;
* Manuka Honey has natural antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiviral, antioxidant, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties;
* Manuka Honey creates a moist healing environment that allows new skin cells to grow across a healing wound flush with the surface of the wound, preventing deformity of the skin and scaring;
* Manuka Honey rapidly clears infection by destroying bacteria;
* Manuka Honey repairs damaged skin and generates new skin growth;
* Manuka Honey hastens the healing process;
* Manuka Honey eliminates malodor by destroying the bacteria that cause it;
* Manuka Honey can destroy antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria such as MRSA and VRE;
* The viscosity of Manuka Honey provides a protective barrier to prevent wounds from becoming infected;
* Manuka Honey causes scabs and dead skin cells to lift off the surface of the wound, leaving a clean healthy wound bed in which re-growth of tissue can occur;
* Manuka Honey stimulates the growth of tissue involved in the healing process;
* Manuka Honey stimulates the formation of new blood capillaries and the growth of fibroblasts that replace the connective tissue of the deeper layer of the skin and produce the collagen fibers that give strength to the repair;
* Manuka Honey has an anti-inflammatory action that relieves pain;
* Manuka Honey has antifungal properties that cure ringworm and other fungal conditions;
* Manuka Honey is all-natural and organic.

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

Honey as a Wound Dressing

Honey is one of the oldest known medicines that has continued to be used up to present times. Its use has recently been rediscovered by the medical profession, especially for dressing wounds. The numerous reports of the effectiveness of honey in wound management have recently been reviewed by scientists. The rapid clearing of infection from wounds treated with honey has been among the many observations, even with anti-biotic resistant strains of bacteria such as Staph/MRSA and VRE.

However, not all honey is created equal. The medicinal value varies greatly, primarily due to the floral source used by the honeybees during the manufacturing process. Ancient physicians were aware of the differences in the therapeutic value of the different types of honey. Aristotle referred to pale honey as being "good as a salve for sore eyes and wounds". Dioscorides stated that a pale yellow honey from Attica was the best, being "good for all rotten and hollow ulcers".

Any honey can be expected to suppress infection in wounds because of its high sugar content. However, honey made from the nectar of the flowers grown on the Manuka bush (Leptospermum scorparium), indigenous to New Zealand, has proven to have the highest levels of antibacterial properties. This unique honey has become known as "Manuka Honey".

Other therapeutic properties of honey besides its antibacterial activity are also likely to vary. An anti-inflammatory action and a stimulatory effect on growth of new blood capillaries and on the growth of granulation tissue and epithelial cells have been observed in clinical studies. Scientists feel that the anti-inflammatory action that exists in Manuka Honey may be due to antioxidants. The stimulation of tissue growth may be due to the supply of the nutrients that exist in Manuka Honey, which is known to hasten the healing process.

The antibacterial activity of honey is due primarily to hydrogen peroxide generated by the action of an enzyme that the bees add to the nectar, but there are some floral sources that provide additional antibacterial components. The body tissues and serum contain an enzyme, catalase, that breaks down hydrogen peroxide. The antibacterial components that come from the nectar are not broken down by this enzyme. "Scientists feel that it is best to use Manuka Honey, as this contains hydrogen peroxide activity as well as another antibacterial component that comes from the nectar of the flowers grown on the Manuka Bush," says Frank Buonanotte, CEO of Honeymark International, a manufacturer of health care products containing Manuka Honey as a healing agent. "This other antibacterial component has become known as the Unique Manuka Factor or UMF."

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


Brand: Honeymark
Wound Care Product: First Aid Antiseptic Lotion
Main Ingredient: Manuka Honey
Website: www.HoneymarkProducts.com
Contact: 1-866-427-7329

Manuka Honey, Nature's Own First Aid

For centuries, honey has been used as an effective treatment for wounds, burns and ulcers. In recent years there has been renewed interest in the medicinal properties of honey because of the identification of strong antibacterial properties. There are many features in the composition of honey that create its antibacterial properties. Honey is a saturated solution of sugars that has strong interaction with water molecules. When honey is diluted by wound fluids, hydrogen peroxide is produced in a slow release manner by the enzyme, glucose oxidase. Indigenous to New Zealand, the honey from Manuka trees (also known as Leptospermum scoparium) has been found to have the highest levels of antibacterial phytochemical. This type of honey has become known as Manuka Honey. In addition to its antimicrobial properties, Manuka Honey also appears to stimulate lymphocytic and phagocytic activity. These are key body immune responses in the battle against infection.

In most cases, Manuka Honey is used when conventional antibacterial treatment with antibiotics and antiseptics are ineffective. Such cases include staph infections, MRSA and VRE. Numerous studies have shown that these difficult-to-heal wounds respond well to Manuka Honey dressings. Inflammation, swelling and pain are rapidly reduced, unpleasant odors are eliminated, debridement is enhanced as the honey dressings remove dead tissue painlessly and without causing damage to the re-growing skin cells. Therefore, Manuka Honey promotes rapid healing with minimal scarring. Additionally, Manuka Honey has also be used as a first aid treatment for burns because of its potent anti-inflammatory activity.

"For the treatment of infected wounds, it is important that a sterilized, laboratory-tested honey for medicinal purposes is used, not the regular honey that's used as a food item, says Frank Buonanotte, CEO of Honeymark International which is a manufacturer of health care products containing Active Manuka Honey as a healing agent. "Honey produced from the flowers of Manuka trees is tested for antibacterial activity and given a potency rating called the Unique Manuka Factor or UMF." The higher the UMF rating, the greater the level of antibacterial activity. Honeymark uses Active Manuka Honey with a rating of UMF 10 or higher in their health care products, says Buonanotte. UMF graded honey is also sterilized by gamma irradiation without loss of any antibacterial activity.

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


Brand: Honeymark
Wound Care Product: First Aid Antiseptic Lotion
Main Ingredient: Manuka Honey
Website: www.HoneymarkProducts.com
Contact: 1-866-427-7329

Honey Used to Clear Infections

Amid growing concern over drug-resistant superbugs and non-healing wounds that endanger diabetes patients, nature's original antibiotic, honey, is making a comeback. More than 4,000 years after Egyptians began applying honey to wounds, Honeymark International, a Long Island-based company that makes medicated creams and lotions, began using honey in its products as a powerful antibacterial healing agent. Honey was used to treat wounds and burns for years before antibiotics were invented. Doctors assumed antibiotics worked better but recent studies are proving otherwise.

Honeymark uses a particular type of honey called Manuka Honey which is an extremely potent type of honey that experts say kills germs and speeds healing. Also called Leptospermum honey, Manuka Honey comes from the hives of bees that collect nectar from flowers that grow on the Manuka Bush which is indigenous to New Zealand.

Since bacteria has the ability to mutate and become resistant to antibiotics, which are becoming ineffective at fighting pathogens, Manuka Honey is a valuable resource in today's medical world. Manuka Honey has also been found to reduce inflammation and can eliminate the foul odors associated with infected wounds. Health care products containing Manuka Honey have been gaining popularity overseas, fueled by scientific reports on their medical benefits. Regular honey can have mild medicinal benefits. However, Manuka Honey is far more potent according to recent studies. Manuka Honey can also prevent the dangerous drug-resistant staph infection known as MRSA from infecting open wounds.

"It's been used on wounds where nothing else will work," says Frank Buonanotte, CEO of Honeymark International. "Manuka Honey can kill the toughest bacteria even when diluted 10 times. There's actually more clinical evidence for honey in wound treatment than for any pharmaceutical products," Buonanotte said.

In addition to wound care, Honeymark has developed Manuka Honey products that are effective in treating eczema, psoriasis, arthritis, ringworm, athlete's foot, nail fungus, etc. Honeymark intends to introduce new honey-based products later this year. For more information or to purchase their products, call 1-866-427-7329 or visit their website at www.HoneymarkProducts.com.

Brand: Honeymark
Wound Care Product: First Aid Antiseptic Lotion
Main Ingredient: Manuka Honey
Website: www.HoneymarkProducts.com
Contact: 1-866-427-7329

Protecting Yourself Against MRSA and other Staph Infections

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (also known as MRSA) is a type of staph infection that is resistant to certain antibiotics. These antibiotics include methicillin and other more common antibiotics such as oxacillin, penicillin and amoxicillin. Staph infections, including MRSA, occur most frequently in hospitals and other healthcare facilities but could also occur within the community.

In the community most Staph or MRSA infections are skin infections that may appear as pustules or boils which often are red, swollen, painful or have pus or other drainage. These skin infections commonly occur at sites of visible skin trauma such as cuts and abrasions and areas of the body covered by hair (back of neck, groin, buttock, armpit, beard area of men). MRSA is usually transmitted by direct skin-to-skin contact or contact with shared items or surfaces that have come into contact with someone else's infection (towels, used bandages, etc.)

MRSA skin infections can occur anywhere. Some settings have factors that make it easier for MRSA to be transmitted. These factors, referred to as the 5 C's, are as follows: Crowding, frequent skin-to-skin Contact, Compromised skin (cuts or abrasions), Contaminated items and surfaces, and lack of Cleanliness. Locations where the 5 C's are common include schools, dormitories, military barracks, households, correctional facilities, and daycare centers. In addition to being resistant to antibiotics and most traditional forms of medicine, MRSA is especially concerning, given the fact that it can be fatal if entered into the blood stream.

The recent outbreaks of these types of antibiotic-resistant infections have communities across the country extremely concerned. However, there is a viable solution that is cost-effective and safe. Even though antibiotics and other prescription medications are not effective against MRSA, there is a special type of honey that is being used in health care products that is capable of destroying MRSA and other forms of bacteria. It's called 'Manuka Honey' and it's being used as a main ingredient in some health care products. "Unlike antibiotics, Manuka Honey destroys bacteria by drawing water out of the microorganisms by osmosis," says Frank Buonanotte, CEO of Honeymark International, manufacturer of health care products containing Manuka Honey. "Bacteria have the ability to mutate and become resistant to elements that can destroy it. However, bacteria cannot survive without water and that's what makes Manuka Honey different than more traditional forms of medicine."

Manuka Honey is a special type of honey that is indigenous to New Zealand that has been found to have no negative side effects. It's also an all-natural, organic ingredient. Manuka Honey has other factors that assist in the healing process of wounds by generating new skin growth and increasing blood circulation. Wound care products made with Manuka Honey have also been known to prevent scaring, relieve pain and remove any malodor associated with the wound.

"MRSA can exist on the surface of the skin without causing any complications until it enters the body through a break in the skin," says Buonanotte. "Using our First Aid Antiseptic Lotion on cuts, scrapes, abrasions or any other type of wound can help prevent staph or any other kind of infection because the Manuka Honey makes it impossible for bacteria to exist." For more information or to purchase health care products containing Manuka Honey, call 1-866-427-7329 or go to www.HoneymarkProducts.com.

Brand: Honeymark
Product: First Aid Antiseptic Lotion
Uses: Heals wounds and burns while protecting against bacterial contamination and skin infection, including Staph/MRSA.
Website: www.HoneymarkProducts.com
Contact: 1-866-427-7329

Advanced Wound Care with Manuka Honey

One manufacturer has been making its mark on both U.S. and international consumer markets and the brand name is 'Honeymark'. Honeymark International manufactures health care products containing Active Manuka Honey as a healing agent. With recent studies impressing even medical professionals who historically only believed in pharmaceuticals, this natural ingredient is making its way to the center stage. Manuka Honey is a special type of honey that has been found to have incredible healing qualities, primarily due to hydrogen peroxide and an antibacterial property called the Unique Manuka Factor or UMF. The best part is that Manuka Honey has been found to have no negative side effects.

Manuka Honey has become known as an excellent source for treating infected wounds. It has also been found to be effective in destroying MRSA and healing staph infections. This has been of significant interest among the medical community since antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria have been found in hospitals and schools, nation-wide. Manuka Honey seems to be successful in destroying bacteria because of its ability to draw water out of the bacteria by osmosis. Bacteria requires water to survive. Manuka Honey has also been known to provide a protective barrier around wounds, therefore preventing infection.

"Manuka Honey creates a moist healing environment that allows skin cells to regrow across a healing wound, flush with the surface of the wound. This prevents scarring and deformity of the skin," says Frank Buonanotte, CEO of Honeymark International. "If a dry scab forms on a wound, the skin cells can only grow across the wound deeper down where it is moist. Manuka Honey causes scabs and dead cells to lift off the surface of the wound, leaving a clean and healthy wound bed in which regrowth of tissue can occur."

Manuka Honey stimulates the regrowth of tissue involved in the healing process. It stimulates the formation of new blood capillaries and the growth of fibroblasts that replace the connective tissue of the deeper layer of the skin and produces the collagen fibers that give strength to the repair. In addition, Manuka Honey stimulates the growth of epithelial cells that form the new skin cover over a healed wound. As a result, Manuka Honey prevents scarring and keloid formation and eliminates the need for skin grafting, even with more serious wounds. Manuka Honey also has an anti-inflammatory action which reduces the swelling around a wound. This improves circulation and hastens the healing process. Manuka Honey has also been known to reduce the pain generated by the wound. The amount of fluid exuding from the wound is also decreased by the anti-inflammatory action. Another factor is that the high sugar content draws lymph out of a wound which lifts dirt out of the wound bed.

Some doctors have reason to believe that Manuka Honey prevents the odor that is commonly associated with serious wounds and skin ulcers by clearing bacterial infection, and more immediately, by providing sugar to any bacteria present. In this environment, lactic acid is produced instead of the smelly byproducts of the degradation of protein.

All of these factors have lead to the notion that Manuka Honey is a valuable resource for treating wounds. Buonanotte feels that the antibacterial potency of Manuka Honey is well in excess of that needed to stop the growth of MRSA and VRE. Studies have also shown the Manuka Honey has been effective in killing E. coli. Honeymark's wound care product is their "First Aid Antiseptic Lotion" which is available on their website (www.HoneymarkProducts.com) and will be in retail locations by mid-2008. All of Honeymark's products contain Manuka Honey as a healing agent. Honeymark also has products effective in treating conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, arthritis, ringworm, athlete's foot, etc. Honeymark plans on releasing some new products in 2008 which will be similar to their First Aid Antiseptic Lotion but in the form of a spray and a sanitizing hand gel. For more information or to purchase their products, call 1-866-427-7329 or go to www.HoneymarkProducts.com.

Brand: Honeymark
Wound Care Product: First Aid Antiseptic Lotion
Main Ingredient: Manuka Honey
Website: www.HoneymarkProducts.com
Contact: 1-866-427-7329

A Cure for Ringworm, Athlete's Foot, Jock Itch and Nail Fungus

Ringworm is a fungal condition that is extremely contagious. Despite its name, ringworm is not caused by a worm or parasite. It's actually a skin infection that is extremely difficult to treat. Depending on the location of the infection, there are multiple forms of ringworm:

* tinea corporis - skin on the body;
* tinea capitis - scalp;
* tinea pedis - feet (also known as athlete’s foot);
* tinea cruris - groin area (also known as jock itch);
* tinea unguium - toenails and fingernails.

Although ringworm is commonly found on children, the disease can also be found on adults. All forms of ringworm are considered to be highly contagious, and can be transmitted from one person to another by skin-to-skin contact or by entering into contact with contaminated personal items such as towels, clothing, combs, scissors, etc.

For as frustrating of a condition as fungal infections can be, there is a viable treatment option. Recent studies have indicated that a special type of honey called 'Manuka Honey' has incredible antifungal and antibacterial properties. "There are several products available that contain Manuka Honey as a healing agent," says Frank Buonanotte, CEO of Honeymark International. "The manufacturers may state the fact that Manuka Honey has both antibacterial and antifungal properties. However, there are no other Manuka Honey products like our 'Anti-Fungal Solution' that are specifically formulated to treat fungal conditions."

Manuka Honey is gaining its well-deserved recognition within the medical community. Buonanotte feels that there are no natural or synthetic ingredients that have more antifungal properties than Manuka Honey. With all of the negative side effects that go along with many pharmaceutical products, consumers are feeling more comfortable with natural ingredients like Manuka Honey which has been found to have no known side effects.

Honeymark is a manufacturer of health care products containing Active Manuka Honey as a healing agent. For more information or to purchase Honeymark's Anti-Fungal Solution, call 1-866-427-7329 or go to www.HoneymarkProducts.com.

New Breakthrough in Antibacterial Wound Care Products

Many antibacterial substances have been evaluated by medical professionals to find a treatment for wounds infected with bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. However, most of these substances have no proven effectiveness on infected wounds, nor is it known if they have any adverse effects on wound tissues. Scientists are now discovering that honey may offer a viable solution. Numerous reports have shown that honey rates extremely well in comparison to conventional dressing materials in its effectiveness in the treatment of wounds. What most people don't know is that honey has a potent antibacterial activity and is very effective in clearing infection in wounds as well as protecting wounds from becoming infected. It also has a debriding action, an anti-inflammatory action and a stimulatory effect on granulation and epithelialisation.

A particular type of honey has been found to have more healing properties than others. This type of honey is called Manuka Honey which is being used as a key ingredient in many new health care products because of its incredible healing properties. "The evidence that Manuka Honey is effective in clearing infection from wounds is in numerous reports and is gaining more recognition within the medical community, says Frank Buonanotte, CEO of Honeymark International. "Doctors are now finding that Manuka Honey is cleaning wounds in cases where conventional medicine had failed. These reports describe infected wounds quickly becoming sterile, mostly within a week." It has also been discovered that Manuka Honey acts as a barrier, preventing clean wounds from becoming infected, preventing cross-infection. "Studies have also found that Manuka Honey has no adverse side effects on tissues, so it can be safely used on wounds and inserted into cavities and sinuses to clear infection," says Buonanotte.

The antibacterial activity in honey is due primarily to hydrogen peroxide, produced by enzyme action when it is diluted, remaining well below the level that causes inflammatory effects. Researchers have determined that the antibacterial potency of Manuka Honey is well in excess of that needed to stop the growth of MRSA and VRE. Under laboratory conditions the unusual antibacterial activity of Manuka Honey is about twice as great as the hydrogen peroxide activity of other types of honey.

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

Brand Name: Honeymark
Company: Manufacturer of health care products containing Manuka Honey as a healing agent.
Wound Care Product: First Aid Antiseptic Lotion with Manuka Honey
Website: www.HoneymarkProducts.com
Contact: 1-866-427-7329

Information About Manuka Honey

There are many different types of honey, predicated on the floral source that it's made from. Manuka Honey is a special type of honey that has been used to heal and cure a variety of symptoms and ailments for many years. Even though Manuka Honey has been used as a natural remedy for thousands of years, recent studies have indicated that it has more healing properties than even antibiotics, making it an amazing natural resource.

While all types of honey have some medicinal value, Manuka Honey has been known to have higher antibacterial activity than other types honey. The reason being is that it contains an additional antibacterial component found only in honey produced from the Leptospermum plant (indigenous to New Zealand) which has become known as the Unique Manuka Factor or UMF.

The enzyme that produces hydrogen peroxide in honey is destroyed when honey is exposed to heat and light. However, Manuka Honey is stable so there is no concern about it losing its healing properties in storage. Manuka Honey provides a more potent antibacterial action, diffusing into the depth of infected tissues, more so than the hydrogen peroxide from other types of honey.

Manuka Honey has natural antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiseptic, antiviral, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties making it one of the most valuable substances for treating a variety of different symptoms. "Manuka Honey has been known to treat health conditions such as Eczema, Psoriasis, arthritis, wounds, burns, insect bites, infections, ringworm, athlete's foot, etc.," says Frank Buonanotte, CEO of Honeymark International, a manufacturer of health care products containing Manuka Honey as a healing agent. "Research also shows that Manuka Honey reduces malodor and heals without scaring. Additionally, Manuka Honey is now being used to treat antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria, such as MRSA." It is important to know that Manuka Honey is a natural, organic substance that has been found to have no known side effects.

Manuka Honey has the entire medical industry perplexed as to how it is as effective in treating certain health care symptoms. There is an increasing number of manufacturers that are using this ingredient as a natural alternative to synthetic ingredients. For more information about the powerful healing capabilities of Manuka Honey, go to www.ManukaHoneyInfo.com. To purchase health care products containing Manuka Honey as a main ingredient, go to www.HoneymarkProducts.com.

Honeymark Offers a Viable Solution to the MRSA Epidemic

The Journal of the American Medical Association claims that invasive MRSA infections occur in approximately 94,000 people each year and are associated with approximately 19,000 deaths each year. Of these infections, about 86% are healthcare-associated and 14% are community-associated. That means you have a greater chance of contracting a MRSA infection from a visit to the hospital than anywhere else. In addition, the proportion of healthcare-associated staphylococcal infections that are due to MRSA has been increasing. 2% of Staph infections in U.S. intensive-care units were MRSA in 1974, 22% in 1995, and 64% in 2004. This increase is due to the bacterium's ability to mutate and become resistant to drugs. There are an estimated 292,000 hospitalizations with a diagnosis of S. aureus infection annually in U.S. hospitals. Of these, approximately 126,000 hospitalizations are related to MRSA.

There is no doubt that this mutating bacterium must be taken seriously, especially since it has become resistant to antibiotics. What most people don't know is that there is a special type of honey called 'Manuka Honey' that has been proven to be effective in destroying the super-bugs associated with MRSA. Honeymark International, a manufacturer of health care products containing Active Manuka Honey as a healing agent has developed a wound care product effective in fighting this battle against this deadly infection. Honeymark's "First Aid Antiseptic Lotion" helps protect against bacterial contamination and skin infection in wounds and burns. Most of this product's antibacterial properties comes from Manuka Honey.

Manuka Honey has an antibacterial activity, due primarily to hydrogen peroxide formed in a slow-release manner by the enzyme glucose oxidase. Manuka Honey also contains an additional antibacterial component found only in honey produced from Leptospermum plants (more commonly known as the Manuka Bush, indigenous to New Zealand) which has become known as the Unique Manuka Factor or UMF. There is evidence that the two antibacterial components have a synergistic action. UMF is not affected by the catalase enzyme present in body tissue and serum. The enzyme that produces hydrogen peroxide in most common forms of honey becomes active only when honey is diluted. But UMF is active in full strength honey, which will provide a more potent antibacterial action diffusing into the depth of infected tissues.

The viscosity of Manuka Honey provides a protective barrier to prevent wounds from becoming infected. "Manuka Honey creates a moist healing environment that allows skin cells to re-grow across a healing wound flush with the surface of the wound, preventing scaring and deformity of the skin, says Frank Buonanotte, CEO of Honeymark International. "In other words, If a dry scab forms on a wound, the skin cells can only grow across the wound deeper down where it is moist." Manuka Honey causes scabs and dead cells to lift off the surface of the wound, leaving a clean healthy wound bed in which re-growth of tissue can occur. Manuka Honey also stimulates the formation of new blood capillaries and the growth of fibroblasts that replace the connective tissue of the deeper layer of the skin and produce the collagen fibers that give strength to the repair. It stimulates the growth of epithelial cells that form the new skin cover over a healed wound. Manuka Honey thus prevents scarring and keloid formation, and removes the need for skin grafting even with quite large wounds.

Frank Buonanotte feels that Honeymark's First Aid Antiseptic Lotion is the best wound care product on the market because of its ability to effectively treat MRSA/Staph infections, where other products have failed. Honeymark is also in the process of developing an antimicrobial spray that can be applied to both the skin and to hard surfaces as a precautionary measure in protecting against these anti-drug resistant bacteria. Honeymark expects this product to be available by the beginning of 2008. To purchase Honeymark's First Aid Antiseptic Lotion and other Manuka Honey products call 866-427-7329 or go to www.HoneymarkProducts.com.

Manuka Honey Destroys Staph Infections

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (more commonly known as MRSA or Staph infection) is an infection caused by a group of bacteria called staphylococcus aureus. Problems occur if Staphyloccocus aureus bacteria are able to enter the body through a cut or wound. The battle against MRSA wound infection is becoming more difficult as antibiotic resistance is widespread and the incidence of MRSA increases.

The bacterium Staphylococcus aureus is often found on the skin or nose. These bacteria can cause anything from minor skin infections and boils to such potentially life-threatening diseases such as pneumonia, meningitis and toxic shock syndrome. Once MRSA is in the bloodstream, it can attack vital organs and become fatal. MRSA was first discovered in hospital settings, therefore MRSA has been nick named the ‘Hospital Superbug’ or HA-MRSA (Hospital Associated MRSA). About 500,000 hospital patients in the United States develop staph infections every year. However, MRSA is no longer exclusively found in hospital environments. MRSA can now also be contracted in community settings and is called CA-MRSA, meaning Community Associated MRSA. These infections seem to be increasingly resistant to the penicillin-related antibiotics used to treat them.

The reason why medication has become ineffective in treating MRSA is because bacteria have the capability to change, mutate and adapt, which allows them to become resistant to antibiotics. However, recent studies have found that Active Manuka Honey is an effective antibacterial treatment for MRSA infected wounds. "Manuka Honey dressings for wounds are now available and are helpful in preventing the spread of MRSA," says Frank Buonanotte, CEO of Honeymark International, a manufacturer of health care products containing Active Manuka Honey as a healing agent. "Manuka Honey has medicinal qualities not found in other types of honey. Manuka Honey has been highly effective in many cases where conventional medicines have not been successful in controlling the MRSA infection."

Clinical trials have concluded that the antibacterial potency of Manuka Honey is well in excess of that needed to stop the growth of MRSA and VRE. Under laboratory conditions the unusual antibacterial activity of Manuka Honey is about twice as great as the hydrogen peroxide activity of other honeys. "Honeymark has developed a First Aid Antiseptic Lotion made with Active Manuka Honey that is extremely effective in treating wounds infected with MRSA," says Buonanotte. "With Staph infections becoming more widespread, this product has become a necessary alternative to antibiotics." In addition to a variety of retail locations, Honeymark's First Aid Antiseptic Lotion with Manuka Honey can be purchased on their website at www.HoneymarkProducts.com.

Pain Relief for Arthritis Sufferers

Arthritis is a painful disease affecting millions of adults and children, world-wide. Over 100 different disorders can be classified as arthritis. In fact, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are a leading cause of disability. Conventional forms of treatment for arthritis may consists of steroids, painkillers and sometimes a change in diet. However, new research has indicated that a special type of honey called "Manuka Honey" is effective in treating arthritis as a natural form of pain relief from joint and muscle stiffness. These studies have shown that patients experienced a reduction in their pain levels when treated with Manuka Honey.

The reason why Manuka Honey is effective in treating arthritis is because it has natural anti-inflammatory properties. In forms of Arthritis that are more tissue than bone related, Manuka Honey can reduce inflammation, providing a natural form of pain relief. Anything that is applied to the skin is absorbed into the body. Manuka Honey has a way of diffusing deep into the skin, getting to the effected area. The result is a natural anti-inflammatory action which combines with the body's defense and support systems, improving circulation and nutrients to the joints while removing waste and preventing infections.
The natural anti-inflammatory agents found in Manuka Honey are glucosamine and hondroitin sulphate, which stimulate the body's manufacturing of cartilage components necessary for joint repair and assist in the reduction of pain and inflammation. Frank Buonanotte, the CEO of Honeymark International, which is a manufacturer of health care products containing Manuka Honey as a healing agent says that their Pain Relief Cream is effective on back, neck and shoulder pain as well as providing relief for pains associated with arthritis and sprains. "Manuka Honey is gaining it's well-deserved recognition within the medical community as a viable alternative to traditional forms of medicine," Says Buonanotte. "Manuka Honey is a natural and organic ingredient that has no known side effects and is highly effective in treating a variety of different health conditions in addition to arthritis."

To purchase Honeymark's Pain Relief Cream with Active Manuka Honey, go to www.HoneymarkProducts.com.

New Breakthrough in Eczema Treatment

Eczema is a general term for a variety of inflamed skin conditions. One of the most common forms of eczema is called atopic dermatitis or atopic eczema. Approximately 10% - 20% of the world population is affected by this chronic, relapsing and itchy rash. Eczema is most often characterized by dry, red and extremely itchy patches on the skin.

Individuals suffering from eczema have had a great deal of difficulty in relieving the symptoms. However, recent studies are finding that a special type of honey called "Manuka Honey" is extremely effective. Manuka Honey has antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiviral, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties making it an amazing natural resource. It has also been known to have the ability to moisturize, soothe and repair dry, cracked and damaged skin.

Why is Manuka Honey so effective in treating eczema and other skin conditions? Research has indicated that Manuka Honey contains a second antibacterial component in addition to the glucose oxidase enzyme which is commonly found in other types of honey. There is evidence that the two antibacterial components have a synergistic action. There is no bacteria that is resistant to Manuka Honey, making it more effective than antibiotics and other traditional forms of medication. Manuka honey is also resistant to heat and has been found to be more resistant to the catalase effect of body serum which can affect the hydrogen peroxide activity found in other honeys.

There is form of eczema treatment that works overnight. However, with continued use, Manuka Honey can be extremely effective because of its active compounds and high antibiotic activity. Additionally, Manuka Honey has been known to repair, strengthen and heal damaged skin, supporting skin regeneration and the formation of new cells. It also has a soothing effect which helps eliminate the itchiness associated with eczema and other forms of dermatitis. The antiviral agent in the Manuka Honey also makes it virtually impossible for bacteria to exist.

"Historically, eczema has been notoriously difficulty to treat," says Frank Buonanotte, CEO of Honeymark International, a manufacturer of health care products containing Active Manuka Honey as a healing agent. "Now with the new discoveries of the healing power of Manuka Honey, eczema sufferers have a new option." Like all honeys, Manuka Honey is sticky and not particularly desirable to use as a topical application on the skin, not to mention that it's somewhat expensive and hard to come by. However, Honeymark blends Manuka Honey into their creams and lotions, creating a variety of different skin care products. Honeymark's Anti-Itch Cream has achieved great results in treating eczema. Manuka Honey is the main ingredient. This product is also effective in treating insect bites/stings, poison ivy, poison oak/poison sumac, seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis. For more information or to purchase this product, go to www.HoneymarkProducts.com.

Information About Manuka Honey

Honeymark International is a U.S. based manufacturer of health care products that utilizes Manuka Honey as a healing agent. In a time that people are losing faith in traditional forms of western medicine and gaining faith in natural remedies, Manuka Honey is becoming a more popular ingredient in many health care products. Since Manuka Honey is indigenous to New Zealand, it hasn't had a chance to gain it's well deserved notoriety in the United States yet. Honeymark hopes to change that by promoting their new website, Honeymark.net.

Studies have shown that all honey is not created equal. Some types of honey may have more healing properties than others. Manuka Honey gets its medicinal properties because the honeybees in New Zealand pollinate the flowers of the Manuka bush which grows wild throughout New Zealand. The bees then take the nectar of the Manuka flower back to their hive and create a special type of honey that is extremely effective in treating a variety of different symptoms such as eczema, psoriasis, insect bites, wounds, burns, arthritis, athlete's foot, ringworm, nail fungus, etc.

These new findings are spreading like wild fire among the medical community as doctors cannot believe how well Manuka Honey works. "Manuka Honey makes it virtually impossible for bacteria to exist," says Frank Buonanotte, CEO of Honeymark International. "In fact, Manuka Honey has been known to be effective on antibiotic-resistant stains of bacteria." Buonanotte believes that Manuka Honey will become a household name within the next few years. Many health care manufacturers are jumping on the band wagon and taping into this natural resource that has medical professionals perplexed as to how well it works.

"The biggest hurdle Honeymark has is selling the concept of Manuka Honey to the general public," says Buonanotte. "That's why we've launched Honeymark.net, which is an informational site that not only provides information about Manuka Honey but it also contains links to the most recent studies that have been conducted by scientists who have researched the usage of Manuka Honey for medical purposes."

For more information about the healing powers of Manuka Honey, go to www.Honeymark.net. or to purchase health care products containing Organic Manuka Honey as a healing agent, go to www.HoneymarkProducts.com.

Manuka Honey as a Topical Antibacterial Agent for the Treatment of Infected Wounds

There are now many published reports describing the effectiveness of honey rapidly clearing infection from wounds with no adverse side effects. A particular type of honey found in the New Zealand region called, "Manuka Honey" seems to have the highest potency of healing properties and is being widely used for medical purposes. Evidence suggests that Manuka Honey actively promotes healing. In laboratory studies, it has been shown to have an antimicrobial action against a broad spectrum of bacteria and fungal problems such as athlete's foot, jock itch and ringworm.
Honey was used to treat infected wounds as far back as 2000 years before bacteria were found to be the cause of infection. More recently, honey has been reported to have an inhibitory effect to around 60 species of bacteria including aerobes and anaerobes, gram-positives and gram-negatives. An antifungal action has also been observed for some yeasts and species of Aspergillus and Penicillium, as well as all the common dermatophytes. The current prevalence of antibiotic-resistant microbial species has led to a re-evaluation of the medical use of honey.

A recent study on the successful usage of Manuka Honey as a dressing on infected wounds shows that many doctors support the use of Manuka Honey in infected wounds, particularly in patients susceptible to MRSA and other antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Manuka Honey has been used to treat infections in a wide range of wound types. These include burns, venous leg ulcers, leg ulcers of mixed aetiology, diabetic foot ulcers, pressure ulcers, unhealed graft donor sites, abscesses, boils, pilonidal sinuses, infected wounds from lower limb surgery, necrotising faciitis and neonatal postoperative wound infection. In many of these and other cases, Manuka Honey has been used to heal wounds not responding to treatment with conventional antibiotics and antiseptics.

"Individuals with wounds infected with antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria, not responding to antibiotic therapy, results have been achieved after applying our First Aid Antiseptic Lotion with Manuka Honey," says Frank Buonanotte, CEO of Honeymark International, a manufacturer of health care products containing Manuka Honey. "Wounds infected with MRSA have also been cleared of infection and healed by application of our products." To purchase high-end, health care products containing Manuka Honey as a healing agent, go to www.HoneymarkProducts.com.

New First Aid Antiseptic Lotion for Wound Care by Honeymark

Honeymark International is a manufacturer of over-the-counter health care products that contain Active Manuka Honey as a healing agent. The use of Manuka Honey as a wound dressing material, an ancient remedy that has been rediscovered, is becoming of increasing interest as more reports of its effectiveness are published. The clinical observations recorded are that infection is rapidly cleared, inflammation, swelling and pain are quickly reduced, odor is reduced, sloughing of necrotic tissue is induced, granulation and epithelialisation are hastened, and healing occurs rapidly with minimal scarring.

The antimicrobial properties of Manuka Honey prevent microbial growth in the moist healing environment created. Unlike many other topical antiseptics, Honeymark's First Aid Antiseptic Lotion causes no tissue damage. The Manuka Honey in it actually promotes the healing process. It has a direct nutrient effect as well as drawing lymph out to the cells by osmosis. The stimulation of healing is due to the acidity of the honey. The osmosis creates a solution of honey in contact with the wound surface which prevents the dressing from sticking so there is no pain or tissue damage when dressings are changed. There is also much anecdotal evidence to support its use and clinical trials that have shown that Manuka Honey is more effective than a polyurethane film dressing for the treatment of burns.

"Many medical professionals are using Manuka Honey and getting good results in patients with wounds that have not responded to standard treatment which is why Honeymark uses it as a key ingredient in all its products," says Frank Buonanotte, CEO of Honeymark International. "Clearing bacterial infection from a wound is essential to allow the healing process to occur." Recent tests on many strains of multi-antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as MRSA strains, VRE and Acinetobacter baumarii have shown that these bacteria have no resistance to Manuka Honey. These "super-bugs" are a serious clinical problem as infections with them often cannot be treated at all with antibiotics.

The most common skin wound infecting species of bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, has been found to be particularly sensitive to Manuka Honey. Honeymark's First Aid Antiseptic Lotion is very effective as a dressing for wounds, burns and skin ulcers for the following reasons:

* Inflammation, swelling and pain are quickly reduced;
* Malodor is reduced;
* Shedding of dead tissue is induced so surgical removal is unnecessary;
* Healing occurs rapidly with minimal scarring and with no need for skin grafting;
* Infection is rapidly cleared.

Applying a small amount of this product on a burn or wounded area 1 to 3 times per day will help protect it against bacterial contamination or skin infection. For more information or to purchase this product, go to www.HoneymarkProducts.com.

Discover the Healing Power of Manuka Honey

Many years ago, people used honey to treat a variety of different types of medical conditions. However, with the advent of antibiotics, people started regarding honey as merely a home remedy. Now, recent studies have indicated that, in many cases, honey seems to be more effective than antibiotics. Manuka Honey is a special type of honey, only found in the New Zealand region, that has been known to possess incredible healing properties.

The establishment by research that there are bioactive components in Manuka Honey, and the wide dissemination of this knowledge, has led to a general acceptance that it is a respectable therapeutic agent, and to a rapidly increasing uptake of its usage by clinicians as well as by the general public. The finding that there are multiple bioactive components involved in the therapeutic action makes it a much more attractive option to use this natural product rather than to attempt to identify individual active components and use synthesised copies.

There are Manuka Honey products available to treat many different symptoms. Case studies have indicated that Manuka Honey has been successful in the treatment of the following conditions:

Sore Throat, Acne, Blisters, Cold Sores, Scabies, Athletes Foot, Ring Worm, Rashes, Burns, Ulcers, Infections, Lice, Insect Bites, Nail Fungus, Dry Skin, Arthritis, Gum Disease, Herpes, Common Cold Symptoms, Eczema & Dermatitis, Wounds & Abrasions, Aches & Pains, Foot & Body Odor, Psoriasis, etc.

Manuka Honey has an antibacterial activity, due primarily to hydrogen peroxide formed in a "slow-release" manner by the enzyme glucose oxidase present. Some honeys are no more antibacterial than sugar, while others can be diluted more than 100-fold and still halt the growth of bacteria. The difference in potency of antibacterial activity found among the different honeys is more than 100-fold. Active Manuka Honey's Unique Characteristics:

1. Only active Manuka honey provides non-hydrogen peroxide antibacterial components.
2. The Manuka antibacterial factor is unaffected by enzymes in the body that destroy hydrogen peroxide components.
3. The Manuka antibacterial factor is highly effective against antibiotic resistant "superbugs."
4. The Manuka antibacterial component maintains its potency even when diluted over 50 times as will happen when used on or in the body.
5. The Manuka antibacterial factor is unaffected by heat, light, or time.
6. The Manuka antibacterial factor may be used full strength and covered. It does not require moisture or oxygen to be effective, as do other honeys.
7. Active Manuka's antibacterial factor diffuses more deeply into skin tissue than do the enzymes of other honeys.

Manuka Honey is the only honey available that is tested for its antibacterial activity. It contains an additional antibacterial component found only in honey produced from Leptospermum plants: what has been called the "Unique Manuka Factor" (UMF). There is evidence that the two antibacterial components may have a synergistic action. To purchase health care products containing Active Manuka Honey as a healing agent, go to www.HoneymarkProducts.com.

Honeymark Introduces Anti-Fungal Solution With Manuka Honey for Nail Infections

Honeymark has announced the introduction of an Anti-Fungal Solution that can be used for remedying skin and nail fungus conditions. Fungal infections are caused by microscopic organisms that can live on the dead tissues of the hair, nails, and outer skin layers. Fungus can exist in the nail bed beneath the nail and can be very difficult to eradicate.

Fungus is contagious and is often contracted at places like swimming pools, gymnasiums, public showers and locker rooms. You can even catch a fungal infection from one of your pets. Sometimes, the clothes we wear encourage fungi to develop, such as tight-fitting socks or close-fitting clothing. If left untreated, it can also spread to other parts of the body as well as infect other family members. Symptoms of nail fungus include brittleness, discoloration, thickening, shape distortion, crumbling of the nail and detachment of the nail.

"One out of every five people get a fungal infection at some point in their lifetime. Honeymark's Anti-Fungal Solution is an effective, natural and safe way to treat these symptoms." Frank Buonanotte, CEO - Honeymark International

The Buzz About Medical Honey

Honeymark is changing the way in which the medical community views honey. Recent studies have shown that honey can be more effective in treating certain medical conditions than even antibiotics.

Ancient Egyptians treated injuries with honey, and World War II doctors dressed wounds with it. Now honey is back on the medical scene, thanks to a company called Honeymark International. Honeymark makes creams, solutions, lotions and other products that treat conditions such as Eczema, Arthritis, wounds, nail fungus, etc.

"The view about honey is changing dramatically," says Frank Buonanotte, CEO of Honeymark International. "At one point in the near future, people will be viewing honey as being more than just something we put in our tea. What most people don't know is that honey can be extremely effective in dressing wounds and relieving certain skin conditions."

Honeymark uses a particular type of honey known as "Manuka Honey" that is found primarily in the New Zealand region. This type of honey is used because it seems to possess more healing properties than other types of honey. Extensive research on the healing power of Manuka Honey has been done by the University of Waikato in New Zealand. Their findings can be found at http://bio.waikato.ac.nz/honey.

Honeymark's Wound Relief Lotion is an extremely effective dressing for many different types of wounds. Business Communications estimates that the advanced wound-care market will hit $2.8 billion in 2008. It will be up to Honeymark to make sure the idea sticks.

For more information or to purchase their products, go to www.HoneymarkProducts.com.

New Anti-Itch Cream for Eczema by Honeymark

Honeymark's maximum strength Anti-Itch Cream provides temporary relief of itching associated with minor skin irritations, inflammation and rashes from Eczema, insect bites, Poison Ivy, Poison Oak or Poison Sumac, soaps, detergents, jewelry, cosmetics, Seborrheic Dermatits and Psoriasis. Honeymark International is a manufacturer of over-the-counter health care products that contain Active Manuka Honey as a healing agent. Manuka honey is a particular type of honey that is exclusively found in the New Zealand region that possesses incredible healing properties. Recent studies have shown that Manuka Honey is more effective in treating certain symptoms than even antibiotics.

The key ingredient, Manuka Honey, has been considered a remedy for many health conditions since ancient times. Manuka Honey contains non-peroxide antibacterial agents which can inhibit the growth of certain bacteria that cause slow healing wounds such as eczema and burns. Dr Peter Molan, Associate Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Waikato, has proven the natural antibacterial properties of Active Manuka Honey during a decade of research at the university's Honey Research Unit.

In laboratory tests UMF Active Manuka honey inhibited the growth of bacteria which causes many skin infections including Staphylococcus aureus and helicobacter pylori. Recent clinical trials at Waikato Hospital, Hamilton, showed skin infections and wounds infected by "Golden staph" and other antibiotic resistant bacteria responded well to Active Manuka honey dressings. "The powerful healing qualities of Manuka Honey are virtually unknown to the general public in the United States," says Frank Buonanotte, CEO of Honeymark International. "However, Honeymark plans to raise the level of awareness of this outstanding natural resource."

Honeymark has introduced their Anti-Itch cream that is effective in treating a variety of skin irritants. It actually does more than just relieve the itching associated with such skin irritations, but FDA limitations prevent certain marketing claims from being made. Honeymark's Anti-Itch Cream is effective in providing relief for the following conditions:

* Eczema
* Psoriasis
* Insect Bites
* Poison Ivy
* Poison Oak
* Poison Sumac
* Seborrheic Dermatitis
* Rashes

New Pain Relief Cream by Honeymark

Honeymark is a manufacturer of over-the-counter health care products that contain Active Manuka Honey as a healing agent. Active Manuka Honey is used as a natural product both internally and topically on the skin. Apitherapy, the name given to treatment with natural honey, has been used by many different cultures throughout history. Such uses are now being reconsidered by a modern world in light of new research into the properties and uses of Active Manuka Honey. Honeymark's Pain Relief Cream is effective in providing relief for the following conditions:

* Minor Aches and Pains
* Arthritis
* Muscle Strain
* Backaches
* Sprains
* Joint and Muscle Stiffness

Arthritis is a painful disease affecting many people world-wide. Conventional prescription consists of steroids, painkillers and maybe a recommendation of a vegetarian diet. Traditional treatments can also be costly or the side-effects can prevent quality of life. "There is no cure for arthritis," says Frank Buonanotte, CEO of Honeymark International. "However Honeymark's Pain Relief Cream reduces inflammation and provides relief for individuals suffering from this condition."

Arthritic pain is typically treated by injecting cortisone into painful joints. Honeymark's Pain Relief Cream is a much more viable option as a topical analgesic and pain management solution. Manuka Honey naturally possesses anti-inflammatory properties as well as strong anti-bacterial properties that allow for better penetration of healing ingredients into the blood stream. Below are some advantages to using this product:

* No known side effects
* No Pain
* Cost Effective
* Anti-inflammatory
* Analgesic effect
* Supported by extensive research
* Long-term treatment option.

Honeymark Launches Affiliate Program

Affiliate programs have become a very popular way of making money on the Internet. Webmasters have been enjoying the opportunity of generating additional revenue by placing affiliate banners on their site and earning a commission each time someone from their site clicks on the banner and places an order. In an effort to increase Internet sales as well as online exposure, Honeymark has launched their affiliate program offering 10% revenue share commissions on all sales. Honeymark manufactures over the counter health care products containing Active Manuka Honey as a healing agent. Manuka

Honey is a special type of honey only found in the New Zealand region that has been used to heal and cure a variety of symptoms. Even though Manuka Honey has been used as a natural remedy for many years, recent studies have indicated that it has more healing properties than even antibiotics, making it an amazing natural resource. Why should webmasters consider joining Honeymark's Affiliate Program? Honeymark is the leading manufacturer of Manuka Honey products in the U.S. Even though it may appear that there are similar products on the market, Honeymark products far supersede the average products found in most retail stores. The medicinal properties of Manuka Honey are so powerful, trial studies have shown that they've worked on the most severe cases when others didn't.

What makes Manuka Honey so special? Manuka Honey has an antibacterial activity, due primarily to hydrogen peroxide formed in a "slow-release" manner by the enzyme glucose oxidase present. It contains an additional antibacterial component found only in honey produced from Leptospermum plants. This has been called the "Unique Manuka Factor" (UMF). "There is evidence that the two antibacterial components found in Manuka Honey may have a synergistic action," says Frank Buonanotte, Honeymark's CEO. "Studies indicate that Manuka Honey is more effective than hydrogen peroxide against some types of bacteria." Honeymark has had so much success with its online sales that developing an affiliate program allowing other websites to sell their products fits into the company's plan to expand it's brand recognition to world-wide markets. Additionally, Honeymark is also in discussion with many distributors and retailers about getting Honeymark products on their shelves in an effort to increase off-line sales. The company also plans to announce an expanded product line later this year including cosmetic products containing Manuka Honey. Being a Honeymark affiliate is absolutely free and requires no effort other than to post a Honeymark banner on your website.

The Use of Honey for Medical Purposes

One of the most unknown medical facts is that honey has tremendous healing powers. In the U.S., most people regard honey as a food item and not necessarily for medicinal use. What most people are unaware of is that, in most circumstances, honey actually has more healing properties than even antibiotics. Before you go digging through your cabinets, there's a specific type of honey that is being used for medicinal purposes and it's called, "Manuka Honey". Manuka Honey is a special type of honey that is only found in the New Zealand region. Manuka Honey has an antibacterial activity, due primarily to hydrogen peroxide formed in a "slow-release" manner by the enzyme glucose oxidase present. Some honeys are no more antibacterial than sugar, while others can be diluted more than 100-fold and still halt the growth of bacteria.

"Manuka Honey is the only honey available that is tested for its antibacterial activity," says Frank Buonanotte, CEO of Honeymark International, a manufacturer of honey-based health care products. "It contains an additional antibacterial component found only in honey produced from Leptospermum plants known as "Unique Manuka Factor" (UMF)." There is evidence that the two antibacterial components may have a synergistic action. UMF is not affected by the catalase enzyme present in body tissue and serum. This enzyme will break down, to some degree, the hydrogen peroxide which is the major antibacterial factor found 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 UMF antibacterial activity diffuses deeper into skin tissues than does the hydrogen peroxide from other types of honey. Honey with UMF is more effective than that with hydrogen peroxide against some types of bacteria. 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.

The establishment by research that there are bioactive components in Manuka Honey, and the wide dissemination of this knowledge, has led to a general acceptance that it is a respectable therapeutic agent, and to a rapidly increasing uptake of its usage by clinicians as well as by the general public. The finding that there are multiple bioactive components involved in the therapeutic action makes it a much more attractive option to use this natural product rather than to attempt to identify individual active components and use synthesised copies.

For more information or to purchase health care products containing Active Manuka Honey, go to www.HoneymarkProducts.com.

Manuka Honey and Wound Care

The use of Manuka Honey as a wound dressing material, an ancient remedy that has been rediscovered, is becoming of increasing interest as more reports of its effectiveness are published. The clinical observations recorded are that infection is rapidly cleared, inflammation, swelling and pain are quickly reduced, odour is reduced, sloughing of necrotic tissue is induced, granulation and epithelialisation are hastened, and healing occurs rapidly with minimal scarring.

The antimicrobial properties of Manuka Honey prevent microbial growth in the moist healing environment created. Unlike other topical antiseptics, Manuka Honey causes no tissue damage. In fact, in animal studies it has been demonstrated histologically that it actually promotes the healing process. It has a direct nutrient effect as well as drawing lymph out to the cells by osmosis. The stimulation of healing may also be due to the acidity of honey. The osmosis creates a solution of honey in contact with the wound surface which prevents the dressing sticking, so there is no pain or tissue damage when dressings are changed. There is much anecdotal evidence to support its use, and randomised controlled clinical trials that have shown that Manuka Honey is more effective than silver sulfadiazine and a polyurethane film dressing for the treatment of burns.

Many medical professionals are using Manuka Honey and getting good results in patients with wounds that have not responded to standard treatment. Clearing bacterial infection from a wound is essential to allow the healing process to occur. Recent tests on many strains of multi-antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as MRSA strains MRSA, VRE and Acinetobacter baumarii have shown that these bacteria have no resistance to Manuka Honey. These "superbugs" are a serious clinical problem as infections with them often cannot be treated at all with antibiotics.

The most common skin wound infecting species of bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus has been found to be particularly sensitive to Manuka Honey. Studies indicate that Manuka Honey is very effective as a dressing for wounds, burns and skin ulcers for the following reasons:

* inflammation, swelling and pain are quickly reduced;
* malodor is reduced;
* shedding of dead tissue is induced so surgical removal is unnecessary;
* healing occurs rapidly with minimal scarring and with no need for skin grafting;
* infection is rapidly cleared.


Key Points:

1. Manuka Honey is a traditional topical treatment for infected wounds. It can be effective on antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria.

2. The antibacterial properties of Manuka Honey include the release of low levels of hydrogen peroxide. Some honeys have an additional phytochemical antibacterial component.

3. Many authors support the use of Manuka Honey in infected wounds and some suggest its prophylactic use on the wounds of patients susceptible to MRSA and other antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

4. The viscosity of Manuka Honey provides a protective barrier to prevent wounds becoming infected.

5. Manuka Honey creates a moist healing environment that allows skin cells to regrow across a healing wound flush with the surface of the wound, preventing deformity of the skin. (If a dry scab forms on a wound, the skin cells can only grow across the wound deeper down where it is moist.)

6. Manuka Honey causes scabs and dead cells to lift off the surface of the wound, leaving a clean healthy wound bed in which re-growth of tissue can occur.

7. Manuka Honey stimulates the re-growth of tissue involved in the healing process. It stimulates the formation of new blood capillaries and the growth of fibroblasts that replace the connective tissue of the deeper layer of the skin and produce the collagen fibers that give strength to the repair. In addition, honey stimulates the growth of epithelial cells that form the new skin cover over a healed wound. Honey thus prevents scarring and keloid formation, and removes the need for skin grafting even with quite large wounds.

8. Manuka Honey does not stick to the underlying wound tissues, so there is no tearing away of newly formed tissue, and no pain, when dressings are changed.

9. Manuka Honey has an anti-inflammatory action, which reduces the swelling around a wound. This improves circulation and thus hastens the healing process. It also reduces pain. The amount of fluid exuding from wounds is also decreased by the anti-inflammatory action.

10. The high sugar content of Manuka Honey draws lymph out of a wound, which lifts dirt out of the wound bed.

11. Manuka Honey prevents the odor that is commonly associated with serious wounds and skin ulcers, by clearing bacterial infection, and more immediately, by providing sugar to any bacteria present. In this environment, lactic acid is produced instead of the smelly byproducts of the degradation of protein.

12. Manuka Honey rapidly clears infection from wounds. It is fully effective even with antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria. Unlike antiseptics and antibiotics, there is no impairment of the healing process through adverse effects on wound tissues.

13. Manuka Honey's antibacterial quality not only rapidly clears existing infection, it protects wounds from additional infection.

14. Manuka Honey cleans wounds and removes malodor.

15. Manuka Honey's anti-inflammatory activity reduces edema and minimizes scarring.

16. Manuka Honey stimulates growth of granulation and epithelial tissues to speed healing.

The antibacterial potency of honey of average level activity is well in excess of that needed to stop the growth of MRSA and VRE. Since honey is of proven effectiveness in clearing wounds of infection with other bacteria, and it gives many other benefits as a wound dressing material, there is good justification for trying it for the treatment of wounds infected with MRSA and VRE.

"The unusual antibacterial activity of Manuka Honey is about twice as great as the hydrogen peroxide activity of other honey against VRE, but against MRSA the activity of the two honeys is similar," says Frank Buonanotte, CEO of Honeymark International, manufacturer of health care products containing Active Manuka Honey as a healing agent. "On wounds, some hydrogen peroxide may be broken down, so honey with hydrogen peroxide activity may be less effective."

To purchase wound care and other health care products containing Active Manuka Honey, go to www.Honeymarkproducts.com. Honeymark's First Aid Antiseptic Lotion has achieved amazing results in treating wounds and burns.