Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Discover the Incomparable Healing Benefits of Manuka Honey


The health benefits of Manuka Honey have captivated the attention of doctors and naturalists across the world. It is now working its way into mainstream medicine, cosmetic and skin care products as its curative abilities can no longer be ignored.

The Manuka plant is exclusive to the region of New Zealand. The honey that is made from bees that feed on the nectar of its flowers is known to possess healing powers uncommon to other natural grade honeys. Due to its internal and external health benefits, this unique type of honey has gained worldwide recognition in the health industry, particularly amongst professionals in the medical research arena.

A member of the Myrtracae family, the Manuka shrub sprouts pink and white flowers that produce the nectar used by honeybees to make this medicinal honey known for its exceptional healing qualities. The Manuka shrub comes from the same family as the Australian Tea Tree. The oil extracted from this plant was used by aboriginal Maori settlers who discovered its medicinal properties and used it to cure fever and stomach aches.

More recently, the use of Manuka honey has risen in popularity because of its antibacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal properties. When taken orally, Manuka honey can be used to combat indigestion and heartburn. It is also commonly used to alleviate sore throat infections and can help to facilitate the healing of stomach ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome and acid reflux disease. Some of the most promising research done on Manuka honey involves its use in treating infectious microorganisms associated with Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria. Manuka honey also boasts additional cosmetic benefits that include eliminating acne and the appearance of wrinkles.

However, it's important to know that not all Manuka honey possesses the same levels of healing properties. When packaged, Manuka honey is assigned a unique Manuka factor (UMF) rating. This value is predicated on the antibacterial potency of the honey and ranges anywhere between 0 and 30. The antibacterial potency of Manuka honey is enhanced at UMF values of 10 or higher. Ideally, the higher the UMF rating the higher the antibacterial potency. However, Manuka honey that exceeds UMF 16, may cause users to experience a sensitivity. Therefore, Manuka Honey with a UMF rating between 10 and 16 is most preferred for medicinal use.

Ordinary honey available at local supermarkets is heat-treated for the purposes of decontamination and to prevent crystallization. Despite the appealing liquefied appearance, heat treatment destroys the nutrients and healing compounds in honey. From a purifying perspective, the whole process is quite unnecessary as raw honey sustains its antibacterial properties and the low water activity prevents bacterial growth.

The best Manuka Honey is 100% raw and unprocessed with a distinct and creamy taste unlike other types of honey. One teaspoonful of Manuka Honey every day is quite an effective energy booster and can also help to boost your immune system. For more information or to purchase Manuka Honey and other Manuka Honey products, call 1-866-427-7329 or visit www.HoneymarkProducts.com.

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