A Consumer's Guide To Manuka Honey

Manuka honey is produced by bees that feed on flowers of the New Zealand Manuka tree (Leptospermum scoparium). Since the pioneering work of Dr. Peter Molan was published in the early 90's, Manuka honey has been accepted around the world as a premier natural health product. This high level of acceptance, combined with the limited availability of the highly active forms of the honey, has resulted in premium prices and strong global demand. Unfortunately, this has also resulted in a number of unethical practices that range from misrepresentation of the activity to outright forgery of the product.

Honey has been used for centuries for its medicinal properties, particularly as an antimicrobial agent. It has also been recognized that honeys from different plants vary in their antimicrobial potency. Honey exerts its antibacterial activity through two basic mechanisms: physical blockage of microbial growth and the presence of antimicrobial chemical compounds. The physical components are the osmotic effect and the acidity of honeys. The osmotic effect derives from the fact that the water content of honey is less than 20% by weight. Furthermore, honey is a super-saturated solution of sugars, primarily fructose and glucose, which interact strongly with water molecules. Therefore, not only is there little water in honey, but also most water molecules are not available to support microbial life due to the interaction with sugars. Also, honey has a low pH (generally below 4.0) which is too low to allow the growth of bacterial.

There is extensive evidence that active Manuka honey is effective in promoting the healing of wounds, burns and skin ulcers, helping to reduce inflammation, swelling and pain. This wound healing activity of Manuka honey is due to its antimicrobial properties. Proper healing of a wound without leaving scars requires a moist environment, which is a challenge because moisture promotes microbial growth. Active Manuka honey will prevent microbial growth while retaining the moisture necessary for proper healing.

During the course of the past few decades, antibiotics have been used recklessly in by doctors. This has resulted in the widespread emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, in particular the resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) that plague hospitals and communities. Staph aureus is highly sensitive to active Manuka honey, highlighting the value of this honey as natural remedy.

The most affective strength of active Manuka Honey is a medium strength (UMF 12-16). Only a very small percentage of active Manuka Honey is produced in New Zealand that reaches extremely high UMF Ratings. However, UMF Ratings of 20, 25, 30 etc. are no more affective than a medium strength Manuka honey in the UMF 12-16 range. Some unscrupulous beekeepers in New Zealand have been known to heat their Manuka honey in an attempt to increase the UMF rating. However, heating Manuka honey can compromise the integrity of its healing properties.

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

Facts About UMF Manuka Honey

Honey that is produced from the nectar of the Manuka tea tree flowers has unique antibacterial properties which are not present in honey derived from other plants. Some honeys are no more antibacterial than sugar, while active Manuka honey with a high UMF rating can be diluted more than 100-fold and still destroy infectious bacteria.

Most honey (including Manuka honey) contains the enzyme glucose oxidase which, in the presence of oxygen, produces Hydrogen peroxide which is antibacterial when it comes in contact with body tissue or serum. UMF Manuka honey contains another antibacterial component in addition to the presence of the enzyme glucose oxidase. This second antibacterial component is called the Unique Manuka Factor. There is evidence that UMF and hydrogen peroxide provide synergistic antibacterial action.

UMF® is the registered trademark of the Active Manuka Honey Industry in New Zealand. Only Manuka honey that is regulated by this association can bare the UMF® trademark on the label accompanied by a number which indicates the strength of the Unique Manuka Factor. A minimum of UMF 10+ is required to carry the UMF® trademark and to be considered suitable for medicinal purposes. All Manuka honey carrying the UMF® label has been tested and certified in a licensed facility.

The UMF numbers (i.e. UMF 16) come from a standard laboratory test of antibacterial activity, with the honey being compared with a standard antiseptic phenol, (also known as carbolic) for potency. For example, Manuka honey with a UMF rating of 10+ would be equivalent to the antiseptic potency of 10% solution of phenol, as used as carbolic disinfectant; a honey with a rating of 15+ would have a potency equivalent to a 15% solution of phenol.

UMF is stable, so there is no concern about Manuka honey losing its activity in storage. The UMF antibacterial activity has been shown in scientific studies to diffuse deeper into skin tissues than the hydrogen peroxide from other types of honey.

Manuka Honey UMF 10 or higher is more effective against bacteria than other types of honey. 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. Manuka Honey UMF 20 or higher is not recommended because of reports that it can cause sensitivity in the form of a burning or stinging sensation. Manuka Honey 16+ is the most desirable potency for most applications.

Manuka honey that merely bears a number without "UMF®" preceding it is most likely not regulated or laboratory tested. Therefore, consumers have no assurance that this Manuka Honey is of the potency that is advertised on the label.

For more information or to purchase Manuka Honey UMF16+, call 1-866-427-7329 or visit www.HoneymarkProducts.com.

Unique Antibacterial Compound Found in Manuka Honey

Throughout history, honey has been known for its healing properties. It was eventually discovered that honey derived from certain plants have more healing qualities than others. For decades, scientists have been researching various honey derived from different plants in New Zealand, and have identified Manuka honey as having significantly higher levels of antibacterial properties than other types of honey.

Most forms of honey are antibacterial due to the presence of glucose oxidase enzyme. When this enzyme comes in contact with body tissue, it releases low levels of hydrogen peroxide, which can destroy bacteria. When studying honey derived from the nectar of the Manuka plant (Leptospermum scoparium), researchers discovered that it contained a second antibacterial component in addition to the glucose oxidase enzyme. This component is unique to the Manuka plant and contains antibacterial properties that are effective against highly resistant forms of bacteria such as MRSA, VRE and H. pylori.

The additional compound that is present in some Manuka honey has become known as the Unique Manuka Factor (UMF). Its potency is able to be quantified in laboratory testing and identified by numbers ranging from 0 through 30. To date, no harmful bacteria have been able to develop a resistance to active Manuka honey with a UMF rating of 10 or higher. Manuka honey is also resistant to heat and the catalase effect of body serum which can negatively affect the hydrogen peroxide activity of other types of honey. This makes active Manuka honey a much more viable option for medicinal use.

Manuka Honey has tremendous healing properties and can be used for stomach aches and sore throats by stimulating the immune system and helping to prevent dehydration. It also provides outstanding success in treating infected wounds that have not responded to conventional treatment. Manuka honey is the only honey available that is tested for its antibacterial activity. There is evidence that UMF and hydrogen peroxide may have a synergistic action in contributing to the antibacterial activity of Manuka Honey. UMF is not affected by the catalase enzyme present in body tissue and serum. This enzyme will break down the hydrogen peroxide which is the major antibacterial factor 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 enzyme that produces hydrogen peroxide in honey is destroyed when honey is exposed to heat and light. However, UMF is stable, so there is no concern about Manuka honey losing its activity. The enzyme in other honeys becomes active only when the honey is diluted. However, UMF is active in full strength honey, which will provide a more potent antibacterial action, diffusing into the depth of infected tissues.

Non-UMF honey needs oxygen to produce hydrogen peroxide and may not work under wound dressings or in wound cavities. However, Manuka Honey with UMF is active in all situations. The enzyme in non-UMF honey becomes active only when the acidity of the honey is neutralized by body fluids, but then the honey is diluted. It could be destroyed by the protein-digesting enzymes that are in wound fluids. However, UMF antibacterial activity diffuses deeper into skin tissues than does the hydrogen peroxide from other types of honey. Therefore, UMF Manuka Honey is more effective against bacteria than other types of honey. In fact, it's about twice as effective against E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus which are the two most common causes of infected wounds. Manuka Honey UMF 16 is recommended for most applications.

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

Manuka Honey as a Natural Solution for Acid Reflux, Heartburn, GERD

If you are looking for a natural remedy to ease the suffering of Acid Reflux Disease, then you should consider trying Manuka honey which is a special type of honey that comes from New Zealand. It has been determined that Manuka Honey contains far more healing properties than any other type of honey and is effective in treating a wide range of internal health conditions.

Manuka Honey has a soothing effect that will coat your digestive intestinal tissues located along the bottom of your esophageal (food pipe). It is considered to be among the best honey products available to act as a healing agent, and speed the recovery process.

Researchers have found that Manuka Honey is very beneficial for acid reflux disease because it has natural anti-inflammatory properties. The unique minerals and vitamins it contains helps to heal irritated tissues in the digestive, gastrointestinal tract and has the capacity to coat the esophagus and protect the lining tissues.

In order to get the best results, it is recommended to take Manuka Honey before meals and before bedtime (3-4 times teaspoons per day) on a piece of bread. The bread will allow the honey to reach the bottom of the lower esophagus in order to get optimal performance. Manuka honey can also be taken when acid reflux symptoms start flaring up. The soothing effect and coating will provide fast relief. Manuka honey does not have any known side effects and is safe to use if you're taking medication.

It is important to use a raw, unpasteurized, active, medical-grade Manuka Honey with a UMF rating between 10 and 18. Manuka Honey with a UMF rating lower than 10 is inactive and will not yield the results that most people have come to expect of Manuka Honey. UMF 20 or higher is too potent and may cause sensitivity in the form of a burning or stinging sensation. A medium grade, such as UMF 16, is most desirable.

For more information or to purchase Manuka Honey, 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.

What Makes Honeymark Brand Manuka Honey Better Than Others?

It is important to know what to look for in Manuka Honey in order to take advantage of all its health benefits. Not all Manuka Honey is medicinal.

Manuka Honey is world renowned for its extraordinary healing properties. Due to certain plant-derived components, this unique type of honey contains natural antibacterial, antiviral and anti-fungal properties not found in other types of honey. It also contains more vitamins, minerals, amino acids and antioxidants than ordinary honey.

Not all Manuka Honey is created equal. Manuka Honey's antibacterial potency varies from batch-to-batch, predicated on the amount of floral nectar used by the honeybees during the production stage. The only way to know for sure if a particular batch of Manuka Honey is active and suitable for therapeutic use is if it's laboratory tested.

Only active, UMF Manuka Honey will yield the same results that people have come to expect of Manuka Honey. UMF is an acronym for Unique Manuka Factor and is usually followed by a number which indicates the antibacterial strength of the honey. UMF is the authorized seal and registered trademark of the Active Manuka Honey Association in New Zealand. This trademark can only be applied to the label of honey with a laboratory test result of UMF 10 or higher.

Only Manuka Honey that is regulated by the Active Manuka Honey Association can bare the UMF trademark. A jar of Manuka Honey that is labeled as being "active" followed by a number does not provide a guarantee that it is as potent as advertised. For example, if the label indicates, "active 10", the number is borrowed from the UMF rating system but because the honey is not regulated by the Active Manuka Honey Association, that particular brand cannot legally use the UMF trademark. Therefore, it is unknown if the honey was laboratory tested for its antibacterial potency.

To be certain of the potency, a jar of Manuka Honey should indicate the UMF trademark and a number of 10 or higher (i.e. UMF 16). It's also important to know that in the U.S., the FDA does not regard honey of any kind as being active. If the label of a jar of Manuka Honey says, "active" it is in violation of FDA regulations.

Honeymark is an importer of Manuka Honey and a manufacturer of natural Manuka Honey skin care products. Honeymark brand Manuka Honey meets the following standards:

1. Regulated by the Active Manuka Honey Association in New Zealand;
2. Laboratory tested for its antibacterial potency;
3. Certified UMF 16+ active, medical-grade;
4. 100% pure, raw and unprocessed;
5. Bottled and labeled in New Zealand.

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

Manuka Honey - Natural, Effective, Healthy & Pure

Derived from the Manuka tea tree, this unique type of honey is effective in treating a wide range of health conditions with no negative side effects.

In the clean, pollution-free countryside of New Zealand, a plant known to the natives as the Manuka tea tree grows wild. A very special flower grows on this plant that contains nectar that is rich in medicinal components not found anywhere else in the world. When bees use this nectar to produce honey, a very unique byproduct is formed.

Some people look at honey as merely a food item. However, honey was used as a medicine for thousands of years, prior to the advent of modern day medicine. It has now been discovered that Manuka Honey from New Zealand contains healing properties not found in any other type of honey. In fact, its medicinal value often outperforms most traditional forms of medicine, without the risk of negative side effects. Researchers have found that Manuka Honey contains natural antibacterial, antiviral and anti-fungal properties, making it capable of treating health conditions caused by a bacteria, virus or fungus.

Manuka Honey has been used for medical purposes in New Zealand for decades. It's curative properties are so impressive that word of its healing ability are now spreading rapidly around the world. When taken orally, Manuka Honey is effective in treating conditions such as stomach aches, stomach ulcers, sore throats, strep throat, gum disease, acid reflux disease, gastritis, irritable bowel syndrome, cold and flu symptoms, etc. When applied topically to the skin, Manuka Honey can also treat conditions such as infected wounds, burns, acne, ringworm, pressure sores, skin ulcers, eczema, MRSA Staph infections, etc.

People all over the world are discovering the amazing, natural healing powers of Manuka Honey. Even doctors are beginning to realize that this natural healing source heals efficiently and quickly, even when other solutions fail. Take advantage of nature's best kept secret.

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

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.