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Manuka Honey

Ranked #9,096 in Healthy Living, #150,815 overall

Manuka Honey is good for your health.

Honey has been used for medicinal purposes for hundreds - if not thousands of years.

Honey for sore throats?

Honey applied to wounds?

Hot lemon and honey as a drink when we're unwell?

I'm sure you could add many other examples of your own about how honey can benefit the health of you and your family.

But new research by scientists in New Zealand suggests that Manuka Honey - a particular kind of honey has special antibacterial abilities. They claim that Manuka Honey can be used to treat a wide range of medical conditions - everything from skin conditions to stomach and bowel complaints.

Manuka honey is made by bees that collect pollen from the manuka bush which grows wild in New Zealand. The picture above shows a bee collecting nectar from manuka flowers. Manuka honey sometimes is sourced from elsewhere but most experts agree that the best you can get is true manuka honey from New Zealand

Manuka honey has an unusual and mildly medicinal flavour. When Manuka Honey is applied to skin it can effectively treat wounds and ulcers that have not improved with standard medicine.

The honey can fight infection and help tissue healing but it also seems to reduce inflammation and scarring.

Manuka Honey For Health

Have you tried Manuka Honey? Share your experiences with other readers.

What did you think of Manuka Honey? Did it work well for you?

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Honey Extractors

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I love Manuka Honey - it's wonderful

Tried it - love it - take it every day0 points

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I tried Manuka Honey - gave it up again

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Manuka Nah - It's not for me

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Manuka Honey - How does it work?

The evidence behind Manuka Honey and Health

When taken by mouth Manuka honey has been used successfully for the treatment of diarrhoea, indigestion, excess stomach acid and gastroenteritis.

The healing properties of Manuka honey seem to be due to the presence of the enzyme glucose oxidase. This enzyme causes the release of the antiseptic - hydrogen peroxide. The high sugar content of the Manuka honey also seems to inhibit bacterial growth. But these remain just theories because in truth, researchers are unable to pinpoint any one particular constituent to explain why manuka honey has such strong antibacterial qualities. They do know that it works however!

Different Strengths of Manuka Honey

Manuka Honey Cream - Manuka Honey Dressings - Manuka Honey by Mouth

Manuka Honey is classified into different strengths - called the Unique Manuka Factor or UMF. Strengths range from UMF5, which is believed to be equivalent to a 5 per cent solution of a standard antiseptic, to UMF20, which is equivalent to a 20 per cent solution of antiseptic. Different strengths of manuka honey are recommended for treating different conditions.

In 2003, a study published in the European Journal of Medical Research suggested that manuka honey was at least as good, if not better, than some conventional treatments used for healing surgical wounds.

In 2004, manuka-honey wound dressings and sterilised manuka-honey cream were licensed for use in UK hospitals. Some researchers wonder if it might help fight against the so-called superbug: MRSA.

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How to Use Manuka Honey

Manuka honey is made by bees that collect pollen from the manuka (or myrtle) bush.

You can take it by mouth or apply it to the skin but only sterilised honey, intended for medical use, should be used on wounds.

The different strengths of honey are used for different purposes. Manuka below UMF 10 is recommended for maintaining general health and good digestion.

UMF10 to UMF15 honey is for indigestion, heartburn and diarrhoea. Sterilised honey at this strength can also be used on cuts, grazes, burns, fungal infections and wounds.

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  • Dec 4, 2010 @ 6:11 am | delete
    Nice lens, thanks

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  • Caro11yn Jan 5, 2009 @ 10:11 am | delete
    Have used for about 1 month for my dog. She was spitting up yellow froth several times daily, most medicines made her even more sick. Has completely stopped.
  • Gatsby Sep 27, 2007 @ 8:10 pm | delete
    It also helps heal pressure sores. 5* Solve Dog Behavior Problems
  • DogWhisperWoman Sep 27, 2007 @ 8:00 pm | delete
    The use of raw honey has stopped many amputations. 5* Dog Whisper Woman
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