The Viability of Manuka Honey's Rating Systems

Manuka Honey brands confuse consumers with alphabet soup, i.e. UMF, MGO, AMH, OMA, MGS, etc.

Manuka Honey is a special type of honey from New Zealand that has been found to have extraordinary healing properties. Its incredible ability to heal far supersedes other types of honey and even most traditional forms of medicine. This has made it quite a commodity as of late and has recently been discovered by the U.S. market.

The sale of Manuka Honey has developed into a $100 Million dollar per year industry with the potential of increasing significantly over the next few years. However, there is one element of confusion that has been clouding the sales of this valuable resource.

The fact is that not all Manuka Honey has medicinal qualities. If you think about how honey is produced, it makes sense. A bee lands on a flower and gathers as much nectar as it can carry back to the hive where it adds enzymes to it, producing honey. There are many different types of honey. The differences are predicated on the floral nectar component and the flower that it is derived from. Depending on which flower the bee gathers the nectar from, it could change the color, texture, flavor, consistency and medicinal qualities of the honey it produces.

Manuka Honey is so valuable because the nectar of the flowers that grow on the Manuka plant has antimicrobial properties not found anywhere else. The potency of Manuka Honey is predicated on how much or how little of the floral nectar is used by the bees in a particular batch. The only way to properly determine the potency is to perform a laboratory test to measure it.

There are some organizations in New Zealand that have tried to develop rating systems to measure the antibacterial potency of Manuka Honey. The problem is there are so many and they all claim to be the most reliable system. There has even been some bashing and name-calling in various articles and press releases. At this point, consumers don't know which rating system to trust. Some labels say UMF, MGO, AMH, OMA, Molan Gold Standard, etc. These distinctions are usually followed by a number. The higher the number, the higher the potency.

Some suppliers of Manuka Honey have tried to identify that their honey as medical-grade by calling it active or bioactive. The problem with that is if it's sold in the U.S., the FDA doesn't recognize honey of any kind as an active ingredient. Therefore, making a claim that Manuka Honey is active in the U.S. is a violation of FDA labeling regulations.

To further complicate matters, some unscrupulous suppliers are labeling their honey with a higher rating than what actually exists in the jar. They are able to get away with it because the FDA doesn't regular honey in that manner. In fact, there should be no claims on the label whatsoever indicating that Manuka Honey has curative properties.

So what should consumers do? "Stick with the companies that are well known in the Manuka Honey industry," says Frank Buonanotte, CEO of Honeymark International which is a U.S. importer of Manuka Honey and manufacturer of Manuka Honey skin care products. "Once you've found a reputable brand, then use a medium range." For example if Manuka Honey is not potent enough, it may not yield the same results that people have come to expect. There have also been reports of people experiencing sensitivity to Manuka Honey that is overly potent. Therefore, a medium range is optimal for most applications.

Some people think that the higher the potency is, the more effective the Manuka Honey will be. This is untrue. With higher activity Manuka honey being in short supply, experts say that the medium range is just as effective as high activity, and more affordable. For example, a UMF 10-16 will be equally as effective as a UMF 25. There is no need to find the highest grade.

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

Medicinal Honey and Apitherapy

It is scientifically known that honey is the most valuable bee byproduct. Even more so than propolis, bee venom, royal jelly and beeswax. Honey is a supersaturated solution of sugars, mainly fructose, glucose, and maltose, with traces of sucrose, glucose oxidase, hydrogen peroxide, phenolics, flavonoids, terpenes, etc. These sugars make honey hydroscopic (moisture absorbing) and viscous. The flavanoids, phenolic and terpenes make honey antibacterial and prevent microbial growth.

Researchers are now paying particularly close attention to a special type of honey that seems to have more healing properties than all the others. This unique type of honey is known as Manuka Honey which is derived from the nectar of the flowers that grow on the Manuka tea tree, indigenous to New Zealand.

Studies have proven that Manuka Honey is effective as a wound dressing and disinfectant. Manuka Honey has antibacterial activity, due primarily to hydrogen peroxide formed in a slow-release manner by certain enzymes that are present in the honey. The difference in antibacterial potency among different honeys is more than 100-fold. However, active Manuka Honey contains an additional antibacterial component found only in honey produced from Manuka plants. This additional antibacterial component has become known as the unique manuka factor (UMF). There is evidence that the two antibacterial components (hydrogen peroxide and UMF) may have a synergistic action. The unique manuka factor is not affected by the catalase enzyme present in body tissue and serum, which also makes Manuka Honey more ideal for medical use than other honeys.

Manuka Honey is ideal for the promotion of health and well being. It can be used for healing of wounds, burns and gastric ulcers. The basis for the wound healing properties of Manuka Honey is its antibacterial, moisturizing, fluid removal and oxygen barrier properties. These healing properties are provided by a high concentration of glucose which is not only a highly nutritional component but also increases protective function of liver, strengthens the cardiovascular system and improves the body's resistibility towards infections and stimulates the immune system. Manuka Honey also contains high concentrations of vitamins, micro-elements, minerals and antioxidants.

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

Manuka Honey for Gum Disease and Tooth Decay

Some may think that honey as a natural cure for gum diseases sound ridiculous. Especially since we have always been told to avoid excessive sweets in order to maintain good oral hygiene. However, what most people don't know is that honey has powerful antibacterial properties that are actually effective in treating gum disease and preventing tooth decay.

Since we were kids, we were made to believe that sugar causes cavities. The truth is that sugar doesn't cause tooth decay or gum disease, bacteria does. Although, bacteria feed on sugar so if you eat an excess amount of sweet foods, bacteria will form in your mouth. Once the bacteria finish gobbling up all of the sugar, they go to work on your teeth and gums. Even though honey has a high sugar content, it's natural antibacterial properties destroy any bacteria that may be present in the mouth, preventing gum disease, tooth decay and even bad breath.

Research has shown that honey contains an enzyme that produces hydrogen peroxide, which is believed to be one factor in its antibacterial activity. Honey not only curbs dental plaque and bacteria growth but it also reduces the amount of acid produced in the mouth, which stops the bacteria from producing dextran, a component of dental plaque that stubbornly adheres to the surface of the teeth.

Not all honey varieties are the same. Some types of honey have more powerful antibacterial properties than others. Manuka Honey from New Zealand, which is derived from the nectar of the flowers that grow on the Manuka bush, has been found to contain the strongest potency of antibacterial properties. In addition to its ability to produce hydrogen peroxide, Manuka Honey also contains another antibacterial compound that has become known as the Unique Manuka Factor (UMF), making it significantly more potent than other honeys.

Manuka Honey is far more effective than other types of honey against bacteria in laboratory testing, even outperforming antibiotics and other traditional forms of medication. Scientists have also discovered that the antibacterial factor found in Manuka Honey is unaffected by enzymes in the body that break down hydrogen peroxide components.

Manuka Honey can be used as a natural alternative to mouthwash to freshening breath and destroying bacteria that create malodor. Unlike alcohol-based mouthwash, Manuka Honey only seems to destroy harmful bacteria, while leaving the good bacteria that should remain in the mouth. You can even put Manuka Honey on your toothbrush and brush your teeth with it or simply rub it onto your gums after brushing your teeth. In the future, you may see oral care products that contain Manuka Honey as a natural antibacterial agent to both treat and prevent tooth decay and gum disease.

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

The Secrets Behind Healing with Manuka Honey

Honey has been used as a natural medicine for centuries. Prior to the advent of antibiotics and other traditional forms of medicine, honey was commonly used to treat infections and promote wound healing.

All types of honey have some levels of healing properties. However, Manuka Honey from New Zealand seems to have the highest levels of these healing properties, more so than any other honey in the world. Manuka Honey is antibacterial, antiviral, anti-fungal and anti-parasitic. It also has very powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, making it extremely useful in treating a wide range of health problems.

Studies have shown that Manuka honey is an effective treatment for wounds, burns, insect bites, eczema, bacterial and fungal infections, psoriasis, ulcers, sore throats, gastrointestinal disorders, arthritis, etc. There are also no side effects when using Manuka Honey like those you can experience when using antibiotics or other drugs. Manuka honey is excellent for stomach aches, indigestion, cough, cold and flu symptoms, etc. It can also be used to cure insomnia.

An enzyme is present in honey that produces low levels of hydrogen peroxide, which can be used as a disinfectant. This is one reason why honey has such a high antimicrobial activity. Hydrogen peroxide is also partly responsible for regulating oxygen supply to skin cells, which helps to hasten the healing process. Manuka honey provides a protective barrier over wounds without damaging the skin or interfering with the healing process. It contains vital nutrients that are needed for the regeneration of skin tissue. The amino acids, minerals, vitamins and sugars present in Manuka Honey stimulate collagen production in as well as supporting the growth of new capillaries. The pH level of Manuka Honey also promotes wound healing and the eradication of infectious bacteria.

In addition to its ability to produce low levels of hydrogen peroxide, Manuka honey contains other antibacterial compounds such as methylglyoxal and an otherwise unidentified component that has become known as the Unique Manuka Factor or UMF. Some producers of Manuka Honey measure its antibacterial potency by rating the UMF. The range is from 0 - 30. Manuka Honey with a UMF rating of 0 through 9 is not active and should not be used for medicinal purposes. Manuka Honey with a UMF rating of 10 through 16 is considered to be active and suitable for therapeutic use. Manuka Honey that is more potent than UMF 20 is overly potent and can cause a burning or stinging sensation. Manuka Honey UMF 16+ is most recommended and is ideal for most applications.

For internal conditions, such as stomach ulcers, acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome, gastritis, etc., it is recommended to take Manuka Honey orally, 3-4 times per day, most preferably before meals. If eating it off a spoon is not desirable, you can also spread it on a piece of bread or toast and eat it. Once symptoms are eliminated, you can reduce usage to once a day for maintenance purposes. For topical use on the skin, it is recommended to apply Manuka Honey, or a skin care product that contains Manuka Honey, directly to the affected area 1-2 times per day until the symptoms are eliminated.

Manuka Honey is truly a miracle of nature. It can be used as a natural medicine or for cosmetic purposes. Please remember that infants under the age of 12 months old should not ingest honey of any kind because their immune system is not fully mature and will not be able to handle the spores that are sometimes present in some honeys. Although, using Manuka Honey topically on the skin is perfectly safe for children of all ages. It is also safe for mothers to ingest honey if they are breast feeding. If you are planning on using Manuka Honey for medicinal purposes, make sure it has a UMF rating of 10 - 16. Anything less is not potent enough and anything more is too potent. Look for the "UMF" registered trademark on the label. This indicates that the honey is regulated and laboratory tested for its antibacterial potency.

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

Measuring the Antibacterial Potency of Manuka Honey

Manuka honey is an amazing natural resource which is used to treat and heal many health conditions and chronic health complications. Manuka Honey is a byproduct of bees which feed on the flowers of the Manuka plant which grows throughout New Zealand.

The Maori have been using Manuka honey for many ailments. Manuka Honey has been scientifically proven to have a high level of antioxidants and antibacterial activity. It's important to know that these properties have been known to vary from batch to batch. Therefore, each batch of Manuka Honey differs in regards to its therapeutic usages. Because of this variation, Manuka honey is now laboratory tested, graded and certified by regulatory commissions in New Zealand that regulate the production of Manuka Honey.

The primary rating system used is the UMF scale which has been in existence for about 10 years. This scale tests the honey against some of the most powerful antibacterial agents, such as carbolic and phenol. This test measures the antibacterial potency of the honey. Manuka Honey UMF 16+ has the same antibacterial potency of a 16% solution of phenol or carbolic.

With Manuka Honey becoming a more commercial product, there has been an emergence of additional rating systems, such as MGO, AAH and Molan Gold Standard. MGO measures the amount of Methylglyoxal which is one of the antibacterial components present in Manuka Honey. Manuka Honey MGO 400 consist of 400 mg of methylglyoxal per 1 kg of honey.

The different systems that are available to rate Manuka Honey's antibacterial potency, whether it be UMF, MGO, AAH or the Molan Gold Standard, each are registered trademarks of the various organizations and regulatory commissions that developed them. Each of these companies have published press releases indicating that their system is more accurate than the next. This can be confusing to consumers who just want to purchase Manuka Honey that is effective. It is generally accepted that Manuka Honey with a UMF rating of 10 or higher is considered to be active and suitable for therapeutic use. Manuka Honey UMF 10+ is equal to MGO 100+ or AAH 470+.

Manuka Honey with a UMF rating between 10 and 16 is appropriate for most applications. Manuka Honey that is higher than 16 is usually more expensive and is generally not required. Manuka Honey UMF 16+ is the most recommended potency.

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.

The Unique Manuka Factor (UMF)

Manuka Honey is a special type of honey that has been found to have extraordinary healing properties and is now being used as a main ingredient in health care products because of its natural antibacterial activity.

Researchers have discovered that Manuka honey is a superior and effective treatment for wound infections. Studies have shown that all varieties of honey have some levels of antibacterial activity, primarily due to the presence of hydrogen peroxide. However, Manuka Honey has a much higher level of activity, up to 30 times greater than that of other types of honey. The studies have shown that Manuka Honey contains an additional antibacterial component found only in honey produced from the nectar that bees gather from the flowers that grow on the Manuka bush which is indigenous to New Zealand and some parts of Australia. This other antibacterial component has become know as the Unique Manuka Factor or UMF.

There are several components that explain the antibacterial activity found in Manuka Honey. The high sugar content of Manuka Honey creates an environment in which there are very few water molecules, making it difficult for microorganisms to grow. In addition, the low pH level of Manuka Honey inhibits the growth of pathogens. During the developmental stage, bees add enzymes to the nectar to form honey. One byproduct of this enzyme is hydrogen peroxide. When Manuka Honey is diluted by wound or other bodily fluids, the enzyme activity increases, creating a slow release antiseptic that is antibacterial but does not cause tissue damage like other forms of hydrogen peroxide. The Unique Manuka Factor is an antimicrobial component that is somewhat of a phenomenon, creating an environment impossible for bacteria and other microbes to survive.

The fact that other types of honey do not posses this extra UMF compound is what makes Manuka Honey different in terms of its ability to heal. The antibacterial properties in standard honey can be rapidly destroyed if exposed to certain conditions such as heat or light. However the UMF activity in Manuka Honey does not break down, resulting in the antibacterial activity remaining intact and unaffected. It is also important to know that not all Manuka Honey is considered to be active or have healing properties. It is believed that only Manuka Honey with a UMF rating of 10 or higher is suitable for medical use. The higher the UMF rating, the higher its antibacterial activity.

Manuka Honey's ability to heal is so powerful that it has even been found to be effective in treating antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria such as MRSA and VRE. These new developments are taking the medical industry by storm as a need for alternative solutions to these life-threatening, hard-to-kill bacteria threaten our schools, hospitals and communities.

"Wound dressings made with Manuka Honey are a viable alternative to traditional forms of medicine when treating Staph infections," says Frank Buonanotte, CEO of Honeymark International, a manufacturer of health care products containing Active UMF Manuka Honey as a healing agent. "Our First Aid Antiseptic Lotion has been effective in treating MRSA when other products, including antibiotics, have failed."

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

Manuka Honey vs. Bacterial and Fungal Infection

A unique kind of honey contains powerful antibacterial and antimicrobial properties that make it incredibly effective in combating the microorganisms responsible for infecting wounds and causing a variety of other medical conditions.

The Manuka bush (Leptospermum Scoparium) is a plant, native to New Zealand, that blooms flowers producing a unique nectar that bees use to manufacture a very special type of honey. This honey is known as 'Manuka Honey' and has been used as a natural medicine for many years to treat a variety of different health conditions such as eczema, ringworm, wounds and burns. Recent studies have shown that the antibacterial activity of Manuka Honey is extremely effective, even more so than pharmaceuticals with no side effects. It contains natural antimicrobial properties that quicken the healing process and reduce scarring in badly infected wounds.

Researchers have found that wounds heal faster when treated with Manuka Honey dressings in comparison to traditional antiseptics. It has been discovered that Manuka Honey can provide a viable solution to many people living with skin and hair conditions. Dr. Peter Molan, Associate Professor in Biochemistry at the University of Waikato in New Zealand agrees that Manuka Honey has great healing qualities because of its enhanced antibacterial potency, which has become known as the Unique Manuka Factor or UMF. Its antibacterial potency is even effective against antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria such as MRSA and VRE.

Medical Research has shown that Manuka Honey had an 85% success rate in healing infected wounds, in compared to a 50% success rate of conventional treatments. Manuka Honey is naturally rich in vitamins, minerals and protein which contribute to it's ability to repair damaged hair and skin. Manuka Honey’s antibacterial properties are soothing and can prevent acne, eczema, psoriasis and skin infections.

"The healing properties found in Manuka Honey far supersede that of which can be found in your average health care products sold over-the-counter in pharmacies," says Frank Buonanotte, CEO of Honeymark International which is a manufacturer of Manuka Honey products. "Our products have been achieving better results when used to treat conditions such as eczema, arthritis, ringworm, athlete's foot and wounds. Unlike many pharmaceuticals, Manuka Honey is a natural ingredient that has been found to have no negative side effects."

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