Thursday, April 30, 2009

Protecting Yourself Against Flu Viruses and Bacterial Infections

Many people are taking advantage of the natural antiviral and antibacterial properties of a unique type of honey indigenous to New Zealand called Manuka honey.

Between growing concerns about the swine flu and MRSA staph infections, communities across the country are in a heightened state of paranoia. These life threatening conditions should be taken seriously and precautionary measures should be followed. The good news is that there are some very simple steps that can be taken to protect yourself and your family.

One important preventative measure is keeping your hands clean. However, the problem is that most antimicrobial products (such as liquid soap and hand gels) contain alcohol which can dry the skin out, creating microscopic cracks that allow germs to get below the surface of the skin where they can cause far more harm. A better solution is to use an alcohol-free product that contains an antimicrobial agent that is not harsh on the skin, such as Manuka Honey.

Manuka Honey is a special type of honey that comes from New Zealand that has natural antibacterial and antiviral properties. Manuka Honey has been clinically proven to eradicate the MRSA bacterium which is responsible for causing Staph infections that are resistant to most antibiotics. Manuka Honey's antiviral properties have also been successful in treating cold and flu symptoms.

Even though Manuka Honey is extremely effective at eliminating these dangerous pathogens, it must be used topically on the skin to do so, not ingested. Manuka Honey has many great health benefits when taken orally but in order for it to be effective in eliminating germs, it must come in direct contact with them. This would require applying the honey directly to your skin.

To avoid the sticky mess of smearing Manuka Honey all over your skin, a company called Honeymark has developed skin care products that contain Manuka Honey as a natural antimicrobial agent. Honeymark products are not sticky but still offer the same advantages of using Manuka Honey. Honeymark has developed a Hand Sanitizing Gel, Liquid Hand Soap and an
Antiseptic Spray, all of which contain Manuka Honey. These products are alcohol-free and very effective in destroying harmful viruses and bacteria on the surface of the skin. In addition, Manuka Honey is considered a humectant which means it has a moisturizing effect on the skin.

"People forget that honey was used for medical purposes long before modern medicine was invented," says Frank Buonanotte, CEO of Honeymark International. "We use active Manuka Honey in our products because it contains antibacterial properties not found in other types of honey. It is our belief that Manuka Honey offers far more protection against flu viruses and bacterial contamination than any type of alcohol-based product."

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

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

The Hydrogen Peroxide Producing Capacity of Honey

Honey's ability to produce hydrogen peroxide is one of the main reasons for its antibacterial activity, making it ideal for treating infected wounds.

Hydrogen peroxide can kill bacteria on contact and has been widely used for that purpose. However, straight hydrogen peroxide is unstable and rapidly loses its effectiveness when exposed to air or light. Hydrogen peroxide in high concentrations can also damaged skin tissue. Therefore, the use of pure hydrogen peroxide has lost its popularity among doctors and other medical professionals.

What most people don't know is that honey has the necessary components to produce small amounts of hydrogen peroxide in a slow-release manner. This makes honey an ideal substance to use in the treatment of infected wounds and other bacterial disorders.

The slow-release mechanism in honey that produces hydrogen peroxide is a chemical reaction. Honey contains glucose and an enzyme added by honeybees called glucose oxidase. Under the right conditions, glucose oxidase has the ability to break down glucose into hydrogen peroxide.

Honey itself does not have the right conditions for this reaction to occur. To become active and begin breaking down the glucose in honey, the glucose oxidase requires a pH of 5.5 to 8.0. The pH of undiluted honey is between 3.2 and 4.5 which is far too low to activate the enzyme. Another condition is also required before the glucose oxidase becomes active. For the enzyme to break glucose down into hydrogen peroxide, a certain amount of sodium most be present.

Honey alone does not contain enough sodium to make this happen. However, skin and body fluids have relatively high pH and sodium levels. When honey comes in contact with skin or an open wound, the high pH and sodium levels activate the glucose oxidase and it begins to break down the glucose, releasing hydrogen peroxide.

"It would take a pharmaceutical company many years and billions of dollars to develop an antimicrobial product that could even come close to being as effective in treating wounds as honey," says Frank Buonanotte, CEO of Honeymark International which is a manufacturer of skin care products that contains Manuka Honey as a natural healing agent. "Even then, it is doubtful that they could create a product that is equally as effective in treating infection as honey."

Manuka Honey from New Zealand is now being used for medical purposes because it seems to contain the most amount of healing properties than any other type of honey. Manuka Honey has even been found to be effective in treating conditions such as MRSA Staph infections, where antibiotics have failed. Buonanotte says that in addition to Manuka Honey's ability to naturally produce low levels of hydrogen peroxide, it also contains unique floral nectar components that are not found in other types of honey.

Many people have lost sight of the fact that honey was used for medicinal purposes many years before modern-day medicine was invented. It is believed that honey will soon make a comeback in the medical industry as antibiotics and traditional forms of medicine become less effective against more resilient mutated bacterial strains. Unlike many pharmaceuticals, honey has been found to have no negative side effects when used for medical purposes. Medical-grade honey can also be used in addition to prescribed medication without causing any conflict.

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

Friday, April 24, 2009

Does Manuka Honey Really Work?

Many people who have learned of the incredible healing powers of this unique type of honey have been wondering if it is as effective in treating the wide range of medical symptoms that the reports suggest. The answer is, yes, most definitely.

For those who don't know exactly what Manuka Honey is, it's a premium, medical-grade honey that is derived from the nectar of the flowers that grow on the Manuka Tea Tree, which is indigenous to New Zealand. Honey of any floral source has been found to contain a certain degree of healing properties. However, it has been discovered that Manuka Honey has the most and is more suitable for medicinal use.

It is important to know, however, that not all Manuka Honey is medical-grade. Each batch of Manuka Honey has varied levels of healing properties. In New Zealand, where Manuka Honey is produced and packaged, reputable honey suppliers perform laboratory tests to ensure the antibacterial potency of their honey. One common rating system measures the antibacterial potency on a scale from 0-30. This rating system, known as UMF or Unique Manuka Factor, is comparable to the percentage of the antibacterial activity of phenol. For example, Manuka Honey UMF 10 is equivalent to a 10% solution of phenol.

The higher the UMF rating, the higher the Manuka Honey's antibacterial potency. Only Manuka Honey UMF 10 or higher is considered to be active and suitable for therapeutic use. Although, extraordinarily potent Manuka Honey (i.e. 20+) is somewhat unnecessary and overkill. A good medium range UMF rating is most desirable (i.e. UMF 16). A low UMF rating (i.e. UMF 9 or less) may not have the curative qualities that most people expect from Manuka Honey.

There are some doctors and medical professionals that feel the majority of health conditions are caused by some type of infectious microorganism (i.e. bacteria, virus, fungus or parasite). What makes Manuka Honey so effective is that it is antibacterial, antiviral, anti-fungal and anti-parasitic. Therefore, it is safe to assume that any health complication that is caused by one of these pesty, little microbes can be effectively combated (i.e. ulcers, infections, ringworm, lice, etc.).

"Since Manuka Honey is a natural ingredient, it has been found to have no negative side effects when used for medical purposes," says Frank Buonanotte, CEO of Honeymark International, which is a manufacturer of Manuka Honey products. "Even the most resilient bacteria are no match for Manuka Honey's unparalleled antimicrobial properties, such as MRSA and VRE."

Manuka Honey is gaining worldwide recognition for its amazing healing ability. Manuka Honey can be taken orally or used topically on the skin. Just as long as it comes in direct contact with the affected area, it will yield immediate results.

Manuka Honey is being considered the ultimate natural healer by many and, in most cases, can outperform antibiotics and traditional forms of medicine. For more information or to purchase Manuka Honey and Manuka Honey products, call 1-866-427-7329 or visit www.HoneymarkProducts.com.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Understanding Medical Grade Manuka Honey

Manuka Honey has become world renowned for its unparalleled healing ability. The following is important information that you should know before buying Manuka Honey.

Honey had been used for medical purposes for thousands of years, prior to the advent of modern-day medicine. Honey's medicinal qualities are attributed to the presence of hydrogen peroxide, low acidity levels, osmotic action and floral nectar components.

There are many different types of honey. The differences are predicated on the floral nectar used by the bees that produced the honey. Manuka Honey from New Zealand is used for medicinal purposes because it contains more healing properties than any other type of honey. However, not all Manuka Honey is suitable for medical use.

Manuka Honey's antibacterial potency varies from batch-to-batch. The only way to know for sure whether a particular batch of Manuka Honey is of medical grade quality, it must be laboratory tested. This is the responsibility of the company that is packaging the honey.

The only honey that should be used for medical purposes is active UMF Manuka Honey. UMF is an acronym for Unique Manuka Factor and is followed by a number which indicates the antibacterial strength of the Manuka Honey. UMF is the authorized seal and registered trademark of the Active Manuka Honey Industry in New Zealand. It can only be applied to the of honey with a laboratory test result of UMF 10 or higher (which is equivalent to 10% phenol). Results obtained from 50% dilution (low acidity test) can not be used for claiming UMF activity.

In New Zealand, Manuka Honey production is regulated by the Active Manuka Honey Industry. The UMF trademark can only be used by UMF licensed suppliers who meet set criteria which include regular monitoring and auditing of the quality of their honey. UMF Manuka Honey from a New Zealand supplier that is licensed to use the UMF trademark is the only honey guaranteed to have the special UMF healing properties and be of the same medical-grade quality that is referred to in research studies and clinical trials.

When the UMF trademark is listed on the label of a Manuka Honey jar, it is a guarantee that the Manuka Honey has the special UMF antibacterial property to the level indicated on the label (i.e. UMF 16). This guarantee only applies to honey that comes from New Zealand suppliers that are licensed to use the UMF trademark.

Genuine UMF Manuka Honey must comply with the following criteria:

1. It has the UMF trademark clearly stated on the front label.
2. It is packed into jars and labelled in New Zealand.
3. It is from a New Zealand supplier licensed to use the UMF trademark.
4. It has the supplier's license number on the label.
5. It has a rating of UMF10 or higher.

If Manuka Honey meets the above listed criteria, it is guaranteed to be active, medical-grade Manuka Honey that is suitable for therapeutic use. If not, the antibacterial potency of the Manuka Honey is questionable.

To purchase medical-grade Manuka Honey, call 1-866-427-7329 or visit www.HoneymarkProducts.com.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Honeymark Recognized as Cruelty-Free

Honeymark, a manufacturer of skin care products, is approved by Leaping Buddy, an internationally recognized cruelty-free coalition for developing products that are not tested on animals.

In the 1990s, consumers had become more conscious about purchasing products that are not tested on animals because of the discovery that some manufacturers participated in unethical practices while developing their products. Even though cruelty-free shopping has become popular, it can also be confusing, misleading and frustrating.

Some manufacturers had begun creating their own definition of cruelty-free practices or animal-friendly procedures without the participation of any animal protection groups. As a result, several animal protection groups joined together to form the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics (CCIC). The CCIC promotes a comprehensive standard and an internationally recognized Leaping Bunny Logo. This coalition is now working with manufacturers to help make shopping for animal-friendly products easier and more reliable.

Today, the Leaping Bunny Program administers a cruelty-free standard and the internationally recognized Leaping Bunny Logo for companies producing cosmetic, personal care and household products. The Leaping Bunny Program provides the best assurance that no new animal testing is used in any phase of product development by the manufacturer, its laboratories or suppliers.

Honeymark International manufactures skin care products containing Manuka Honey as a natural healing agent. Manuka Honey is indigenous to New Zealand and is derived from the Manuka Tea Tree. It has been discovered that this unique type of mono-floral honey contains extraordinary healing properties not found in other types of honey and even some traditional forms of medicine. In fact, the use of Manuka Honey for therapeutic purposes has even been known to outperform antibiotics and other types of medication in most cases, particularly in the instance of antibiotic-resistant infections (such as MRSA and VRE).

Honeymark manufactures the following products:

In addition to the above listed skin care products, Honeymark also has their own brand of pure Manuka Honey for customers interested in taking advantage of the internal health benefits of Manuka Honey. For more information or to purchase Honeymark's cruelty-free skin care products, call 1-866-427-7329 or visit www.HoneymarkProducts.com.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

A Solution to Antibiotic Resistance

Medical professionals are now using a particular type of honey from New Zealand known as Manuka Honey to treat infections caused by bacteria that have developed a resistance to antibiotics.

In recent years, there has been an escalating concern over the growing resistance of many germs to antibiotics. Penicillin is no longer effective against a number of pathogens. Vancomycin, has long been considered the best weapon against bacteria no longer vulnerable to other drugs. However, it too, is losing its effectiveness. According to experts, almost every human infection (i.e. malaria, tuberculosis, gonorrhea, pneumonia, leprosy, etc.) is now resistant to at least one major class of antibiotics, and the situation is expected to worsen.

Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) one of the most notorious antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria has been wreaking havoc throughout communities all over the world. In fact, the FDA has recently announced that there are more people dying of MRSA in the U.S. than of AIDS, raising it to epidemic proportions. To make matters even worse, some experts are now predicting that there will be an emergence of new strains of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the future.

There is, however, a solution and it comes in the form of a 3000 year old wound remedy...honey. Honey's effectiveness in suppressing microbes is very different than that of antibiotics. Therefore, antibiotic resistance is less likely with honey. Most microbes need moisture to sustain life. It is, therefore, difficult for microbes to develop resistance to the moisture-extracting properties of honey. Much of honey's antimicrobial activity is bacteriostatic (freezing the bacteria in time and preventing them from spreading) rather than bactericidal or killing the bacteria. Resistance by bacteria is more likely to happen in an agent that kills them (as in the case with most antibiotics) because the few surviving bacteria (and there are always a few) pass on their resistant genes to future generations. To date, no resistance of pathogens to honey has been reported. This is being viewed as an extremely important medical discovery.

Over the past 30 years, antibiotics have been grossly over-prescribed by medical professionals. This overuse of antibiotics is partly due to patients demanding an easy fix, and to pharmaceutical companies promoting that easy fix. The problem is that many antibiotics are indiscriminate killers. When taken orally, they kill all the flora in the gastrointestinal tract, both good and bad. Such indiscriminate killing can throw the whole system off balance. The body contains beneficial microbes that are important for sustaining good health. However, these microbes are less affected by honey than they are by most antibiotics.

As of late, the medical industry has been taking a closer look at honey as a viable alternative to antibiotics in the treatment of many maladies. Not just any honey will do though. Manuka Honey seems to contain more antibacterial properties than any other type of honey. Manuka Honey is produced by bees that feed on the nectar of the flowers that grow on the Manuka Tea Tree, indigenous to New Zealand. This bioactive, medical-grade honey has been proven to destroy infectious bacteria that are responsible for many different types of health complications, including bacteria that has shown a resistance to antibiotics (such as MRSA and VRE).

"Manuka Honey is being considered a shining beacon of hope for medical professionals who have been scrambling for a solution to antibiotic resistance," says Frank Buonanotte, CEO of Honeymark International which is a manufacturer of skin care products that contain active Manuka Honey as a healing agent. "Unlike antibiotics, Manuka Honey has been found to have no negative side effects when used for therapeutic purposes, making it an extremely valuable commodity in the medical field."

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