Scientists Identify a Secret Ingredient in Honey That Kills Bacteria

New information has been uncovered for those looking for a natural alternative to antibiotics. Research published in the July 2010 print edition of the FASEB Journal explains for the first time how honey kills bacteria. The research shows that bees make a protein that they add to the honey called defensin-1, which can be used to treat burns and skin infections.

"We have completely elucidated the molecular basis of the antibacterial activity of medical-grade honey, which contributes to the applicability of honey in medicine," said Sebastian A.J. Zaat, Ph.D., a researcher involved in the work from the Department of Medical Microbiology at the Academic Medical Center in Amsterdam. "Honey or isolated honey-derived components might be of great value for prevention and treatment of infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria."

To make the discovery, Zaat and colleagues investigated the antibacterial activity of medical-grade honey in test tubes against a panel of antibiotic-resistant, disease-causing bacteria. They developed a method to selectively neutralize the known antibacterial factors in honey and determine their individual antibacterial contributions. Ultimately, researchers isolated the defensin-1 protein, which is part of the honeybee immune system and is added by bees to honey. After analysis, the scientists concluded that the vast majority of honey's antibacterial properties come from that protein. This information also sheds light on the inner workings of honey bee immune systems, which may one day help breeders create healthier honey bees.

"We've known for many years that honey can be good for what ails us, but we haven't known how or why it works," said Gerald Weissmann, M.D., Editor-in-Chief of the FASEB Journal, "Now that we've extracted a potent antibacterial ingredient from honey, we can make it still more effective and take the sting out of bacterial infections."

Even though all types of honey contain healing properties to some degree, it has been determined that Manuka honey from New Zealand seems to have the highest levels of these healing properties. Therefore, active medical-grade Manuka Honey is most appropriate for medicinal use. For more information or to purchase Manuka Honey, and Manuka Honey products, call 1-866-427-73269 or visit www.HoneymarkProducts.com.

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.

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, Nature's Medicine

Manuka Honey is a medicinal honey produced by bees that utilize the nectar from the flowers of the Manuka bush, indigenous to New Zealand. It contains a specific antibacterial compound known as the Unique Manuka Factor or UMF, which has been found to heal a plethora of medical conditions. It is deemed medicinal because of its healing properties. Only a small area in New Zealand produces this specific nectar, which has the healing properties relative to this honey. The bees forage only from a very small and specific area in this region. Honeybees generally don't travel more than two miles from the hive, otherwise their wing muscles tire out. Therefore, the beekeepers can control the plant areas in which the bees collect their nectar. Manuka Honey is a mono-floral honey, meaning that the bees only use the nectar of this one particular flower to produce the honey.

Honey has been used for its healing powers for thousands of years. Prior to the advent of antibiotics and other traditional forms of medicine, honey was utilized for its antibacterial properties to treat wounds and other health conditions. Since most modern doctors are now trained to believe in pharmaceuticals, honey has now taken somewhat of a back seat to traditional medicine. However, Dr. Peter Molan, a biochemist from New Zealand, has discovered an amazing factor in Manuka honey that is different than all other types of honey.

Manuka Honey's unique antibacterial activity are due to several factors:

1. Osmotic Effect - Bacteria do not have enough water to form because Manuka honey combines its sugar with water and bonds strongly together, leaving bacteria without a sufficient water source necessary for growth.


2. Acidity Component - Manuka Honey has an acidity level of pH 3.2-4.5. Bacterial growth occurs between pH 7.2-7.4.


3. Hydrogen Peroxide - When Manuka Honey comes in contact with the sodium present on the surface of the skin, a chemical reaction occurs, producing low levels of hydrogen peroxide, which destroys infectious bacteria.


4. Phytochemical Component - The Unique Manuka Factor reacts together and enhances the other antibacterial factors and works synergistically to destroy infectious bacteria.

Manuka Honey can be taken orally to provide relief to a number of internal health conditions. It's sweet and it tastes great. It is dark in color and has a thick, caramel-like consistency. To achieve and maintain good digestive health, take 3 to 4 teaspoons per day before meals. You can use Manuka Honey to alleviate sore throats, cold/flu symptoms and Tonsillitis. Manuka Honey has been tested on Helicobacter Pylori, the bacteria that causes most stomach ulcers, and found to be effective. Not only does it eradicate the bacteria but it also heals the inner walls of the stomach that were damaged by the bacteria. Manuka Honey is also used for Dyspepsia, Peptic Ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, heartburns, Acid Reflux Disease, gastritis, etc.

In addition to its internal uses, Manuka Honey can also be used topically on the skin to treat burns, pressure sores, boils, skin ulcers, wounds, acne, eczema, ringworm, etc. In these cases, apply Manuka Honey (or a skin care product that contains Manuka Honey) directly to the affected area 1-2 times per day. Manuka Honey has the ability to diffuse deeply into skin tissues, drawing dirt out of wounds by osmosis. It reduces scarring, stimulates tissue regeneration, forms a protective barrier over the wound, nourishes skin tissue growth and repairs damaged skin.

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

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.