Molan Gold Standard Manuka Honey

Manuka is now one of the world's great health honeys and one of the great food icons of New Zealand. This year parallel research by science teams in both the UK and Australia confirmed New Zealand's manuka honey to be a powerful antibiotic against drug-resistant super-bugs.

The term bio-activity refers to the way plant molecules interact within the human body to generate positive results on mental or physical well being. The most common bio-activities are: antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory.

Professor Molan, who heads the internationally renowned Honey Research Unit at the university, says the existing test compares manuka honey's antibacterial properties with different concentrations of a standard disinfectant and gives a ranking of 10-30. He has for some time considered this test to be outdated and the results too variable and unreliable.

Each batch of Molan Gold Standard Manuka Honey is tested by a certified laboratory using the test method developed by Dr. Peter Molan

"Several manuka honeys called 'active' in combination with a number have little or none of the non-peroxide activity that is the key to its distinct antibacterial qualities."



According to WaikatoLink* Commercial Manager Fraser Smith : ( * the commercial arm of the University of Waikato)

"the name Molan Gold Standard is instantly linked with the honesty and integrity of Professor Molan, the man whose research made Manuka a New Zealand icon."

"Professor Molan has agreed to put his name to honeys that meet his own ethical and scientific standards. This means the honeys deliver the medical and health values that the Honey Research Unit is discovering,"

Manuka honey's that meet the Molan Gold Standard have unique bioactivities which are identified in the last two decades of research done by the Waikato University Honey Research Unit.


photo by Fir0002 (Wikimedia Commons)

"And we are also starting to understand how the bio-activity can work within the body and why it could have a major role to play in digestive health and for its anti-inflammatory properties."

This bio-activity, formerly described as non-peroxide activity or Unique Manuka Factor, comes from molecules in levels unique to this type of honey and is not destroyed by commercial processing.

• Parallel research done in 2009 by science teams in both Australia as the UK confirmed Manuka honey to be a powerful antibiotic against drug-resistant super-bugs.



• Recent studies by the University of Sydney show harmful bacteria are unable to develop resistance against the antibacterial activity of manuka honey. This research confirms earlier conclusions made by prof. Molan.



• While these bacteria like the MRSA bug are getting more and more resistant against antibiotics these findings can be considered of major importance.



• Also, subcutaneous infections such as acne and sinusitis (inflammation (irritation and swelling) of the sinuses) are showing to be treated effectively by Manuka honey.

The new "Molan Gold Standard Original Manuka Activity" trademark will have significant brand value and consumer recognition due to the full endorsement of Professor Peter Molan the "founding father of bioactive honey research".

The new trademark grading and certification system will be undertaken by an independent third party and supported by ongoing, groundbreaking research being conducted by the Waikato University's Honey Research Unit

"The first company that will be adopting the university-certified rating of activity will be Watson & Son."

Prof. Molan


The Watson and Son company has two certified Manuka honey brands;

Manuka honey has been an important component in Maori folk medicine for centuries. Not only honey but also the leaves and bark of the manuka bush were used by the Maori for the treatment of various ailments. Both topical as well as internal. For example fever, colds, skin and stomach ailments were treated with use of the manuka bush (Leptospermum scoparium)

Manuka is the Maori word for this type of honey. With the introduction of the Molan Gold standard the production and management of manuka honey has put back into the hands of Maori beekeepers. Spirits Bay is one of the two brands who are entitled to use the Molan Gold Standard trademark.

Spirit's Bay, a remote region at the utmost north of New Zealand, is still owned by Maori people. Not only is this area tranquil and unpolluted it also has an important spiritual meaning to the Maori. According their beliefs Spirit's Bay is the place where the deceased rest before they undertake their journey to the afterlife.

The manuka honey harvested in Spirit's Bay and tested according to the Molan Gold Standard (TM) illustrates a cooperation between the Maori families of Spirit's Bay and the Waikato Honey Research Unit. The respectful standards and values of the Maori regarding nature are meant to guarantee an environmental friendly harvesting process. This opinion is called Kaitiakitanga and is translated as protecting the environment and thus the future of our children. (katiaki means to guardian or protector)

Derma Sciences and Comvita, manufacturers and marketers of advanced wound care products have united their medical honey product line under the Medihoney brand.



The Derma Sciences website offers an extensive list of study reports especially on treating wounds and ulcers with honey dressings.

Manuka Honey vs Hydrogel: a Randomised Controlled Trial

internurse.com



Honey Up The Nose Treats Sinusitis Better than Drugs

canada.com



The Sensitivity of Adenovirus and Herpes simplex virus to Honey

Waikato university

Peter Molan (Professor of Biochemistry) - Co-director of The Waikato Honey Research Unit

* Identification of bio-active components of honey
* Antioxidant content of honeys.
* Honey as a wound dressing
* Clinical trials
* Product development
* Methods of identifying the floral source of honeys