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.

Honey, the Ultimate Natural Antibacterial Agent

Honeymark, a manufacturer of skin care products, uses honey as a main ingredient because of its ability to kill bacteria and other infectious microbes.

Most people think of honey as merely a food item. However, honey is gaining its well-deserved notoriety as a medicinal ingredient because of its powerful antibacterial properties. There are four main characteristics of honey that are responsible for its ability to kill bacteria: Osmolarity, acidity, hydrogen peroxide and floral nectar.

Honey is a supersaturated solution of sugar that is high in osmolarity. It is this osmolarity that allows honey to destroy bacteria and fungus by drawing moisture for their cells. Fungal and bacterial cells require moisture to survive. Therefore, honey destroys bacteria and fungi by dehydration.

In addition to honey's osmotic effect, its acidity plays an important role in its antibacterial activity. Honey contains a number of acids, including amino acids and organic acids. Honey has a pH between 3.2 and 4.5 which inhibits the growth of bacteria. The optimum pH for growth of these species normally falls between 7.2 and 7.4.

The hydrogen peroxide producing capacity of honey is believed to be the main reason for its antibacterial activity. Hydrogen peroxide kills bacteria on contact and has been widely used for that very purpose. However, straight hydrogen peroxide is unstable and rapidly loses its effectiveness when exposed to air and light. It can also damage tissue when used in high concentrations. However, honey produces low levels of hydrogen peroxide over a prolonged period of time. This slow-release capability makes honey particularly ideal for treating infected wounds.

The variation of honey's antibacterial properties are predicated on the floral source, more specifically, the nectar used by the honeybees that produce the honey. Some types of honey contain more antibacterial properties than others. It has been determined that Manuka Honey from New Zealand has the highest amount of antibacterial properties than any other type of honey. Manuka Honey is made by bees that gather nectar from the flowers that grow on the Manuka tree which can be found predominately in New Zealand and certain parts of Australia. It is believed that the floral components of Manuka Honey enhance the other antimicrobial properties that are present, creating a synergistic action that is optimal for therapeutic use.

In addition to Manuka Honey's antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, it has been determined that it stimulates B-lymphocytes and T-lymphocytes to multiply which boosts the body's immune system. Manuka Honey also contains anti-inflammatory properties which can help reduce pain when used topically on the skin. Manuka Honey is also rich in vitamins, antioxidants and amino acids.

Manuka Honey has a miraculous way of repairing damaged skin and regenerating new skin growth which is why it is an excellent natural ingredient to use in skin care products. A company called Honeymark has developed a line of skin care products that contain Manuka Honey as a natural healing agent. Honeymark's line includes the following products:

• Acne Cream
  
  
• Anti-Fungal Solution
  
  
• Anti-Itch Cream
  
  
• Antiseptic Spray
  
  
• Anti-Wrinkle Serum
  
  
• First Aid Antiseptic Lotion
  
  
• Hand Sanitizing Gel
  
  
• Liquid Hand Soap
  
  
• Pain Relief Cream
  
  

Blended with other useful ingredients, Honeymark products take the sticky mess out of applying honey directly to the skin. Honeymark also sells pure Manuka Honey for individuals who are interested in taking advantage of its internal uses. When taken orally, Manuka Honey is effective in treating conditions such as stomach aches, stomach ulcers, soar throats, steph throat, acid reflux disease, gastritis, irritable bowel syndrome, cold and flu symptoms, etc.

"Manuka Honey has far more impressive healing qualities than any other type of honey," says Frank Buonanotte, CEO of Honeymark International. "Honey was used for medicinal purposes for many years before modern-day medicines were invented. With growing concerns of the negative side effects associated with the use of pharmaceuticals along with the ineffectiveness of antibiotics against certain drug-resistant strains of infectious bacteria, honey is slowing finding its way back into the favor of medical professionals around the world."

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