What is ‘Manuka Honey’ and what are the benefits of manuka honey?

Manuka Honey

Manuka honey has a darker appearance than other honeys, a stronger taste, and antibacterial and healing properties than Manuka honey; it deserves its reputation.

The honey comes from the Manuka tree, which grows only in parts of New Zealand and Australia.

Cousin of the tea tree, which is extracted essential oil antibacterial the same name, manuka honey provides an exception, the admittedly high price, but tantalizing promises.

To believe the producers, no comparison is possible: manuka honey is superior to others. According to them, fight bacterial infections, including resistant and better healing of wounds, even ulcerated.

THE COMPOSITION OF MANUKA HONEY IS UNIQUE

“What makes it so special is the UMF or Unique Manuka Factor, explains Carole Minker, doctor of pharmacy and pharmacognosy. This figure indicated on the label, is its antibacterial power. The higher it is, the more honey is deemed active. ”

This is the New Zealand researcher Peter Molan has identified the presence of the original substance, but it took until 2008 to learn that the molecule was behind the UMF was methylglyoxal.

“All honeys contain the antibacterial substance, says Dr. Becker, president of the Association francophone apitherapy. The particularity of manuka honey is to contain much more thanks to its botanical origin. ”

MANUKA HONEY IS A POWERFUL ANTIBACTERIAL

This exceptional concentration of methylglyoxal confers potent antimicrobial activity.

This honey is effective against all common bacteria involved in sinusitis, tonsillitis or bronchitis. Some scientific studies show that it is generally faster and at a lower dose than other honeys.

Scientists from the University of Waikato, New Zealand, also found that it is able to prevent the development of Staphylococcus aureus r ésistants antibiotics.

Other encouraging results have followed different bacteria, including one responsible for nosocomial infections, as well as streptococci and enterococci against which current antibiotics are ineffective.

“There is also work on the benefits of manuka honey against Helicobacter pylori cause gastric ulcers,” Carole Minker complete.

Only downside: most of these studies are conducted in laboratories and there are few studies in humans.

HOW TO USE?

“There are few clinical studies, but regular use at a rate of 1 to 2 tbsp. coffee per day during the winter would be preventive” advises Carole Minker.

When ENT or gastric infection is found, it would however absorb large quantities, otherwise difficult to recommend swallowing too much sugar!

MANUKA HONEY IS VERY HEALING

“All honeys have a healing activity, recalls Carole Minker. It is mainly due to their high osmolarity. ”

This term means that honey attracts water. It drains lymph and plasma outward, causing the same time waste and scrap of fabric, which cleans the wound.

The mechanism also ensures moisture favorable to healing but which does not increase the growth of bacteria due to the antimicrobial properties of honey.

Eliminating more quickly bacteria, manuka honey has a healing activity greater. “The methylglyoxal prevents bacteria from attaching to the damaged tissue,” says Dr. Becker.

This key molecule also has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce swelling and promote the process of tissue repair.”One publication reported the use for three years, successfully, manuka honey to the hospital in Bonn to treat nosocomial skin infections, ” says Carole Minker.

HOW TO USE?

“The manuka honey can be recommended as a dressing on a difficult to cure, after having shown his doctor wounds, she said. In this case, use a honey with a UMF of 18 or 20, clean the wound and apply a thick layer of half a centimeter before putting a bandage. To change every 24 to 48 hours until improvement. ”

Recent studies suggest that manuka honey improves the healing of leg ulcers and diabetic foot.

MORE FROM THIS SECTION


on Twitter, 'LIKE' us on Facebook

1 Comment

  • August 30, 2015

    Faiza Samad

    Where can we buy it from in Pakistan(Karachi)?