Friday, June 25, 2010

Treating Acne with Manuka Honey


Manuka honey is produced by bees that feed on the flowers of the manuka bush. This special type of honey is known for its ability to destroy infection-causing bacteria. Manuka Honey is excellent for the treatment of acne because acne is caused by bacteria that clog the pores and Manuka Honey contains very powerful antibacterial properties. This kind of antibacterial honey is found in New Zealand and has natural healing properties that repair the skin affected by acne. In addition to being used for acne treatment, Manuka honey is also effective in treating other skin conditions such as burns, eczema, ringworm, infected wounds, etc.

Research has shown that Manuka honey has the ability to draw moisture out of the acne-causing bacterial cells, making it impossible for them to survive. It rids impurities from the skin, along with unclogging pores and clearing breakouts. Manuka honey acne treatment functions by penetrating deep in the blocked follicle, killing the bacteria, and unblocking the follicle to release the infection. As the follicle is cleared and sterile, the acne heals rapidly while reducing, and sometimes preventing the formation of scars.

Many acne products contain certain ingredients that can dry the skin and cause other negative side effects. Manuka honey has been found to cause none and is very moisturizing. The hydrating quality of Manuka honey helps to decrease the irritation caused by acne and other skin problems. It's anti-inflammatory properties also help to reduce redness, pain and swelling. By applying Manuka honey to affected areas, blemishes and acne scars will disappear, restoring your skin to its original form.

Using Manuka honey for pimples, blemishes and acne scars is a gentle way of ridding dryness and cleansing your skin. If the thought of using pure Manuka Honey on your skin is not desirable, try using Honeymark's Acne Cream containing Manuka Honey. For more information, call 1-866-427-7329 or visit .www.HoneymarkProducts.com.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

The Medical Marvel that is Manuka Honey


What do the ancient Egyptians, Assyrians, Chinese, Greeks, and Romans have in common? They all recognized honey as a powerful treatment for a variety of medical conditions. In fact, records show that honey has been prized for its natural healing properties as far back as 3000 BC.

During the mid 20th century, the era of modern antibiotic medicine began – and the use of honey as a medicinal treatment fell out of favor. Although antibiotics were initially heralded as the most effective weapon against bacteria, over time antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria began to develop. Today, many pharmaceutical companies aren't developing new antibiotics because of this growing problem.

That’s why there’s an urgent need for a new non-antibiotic treatment to fight infection. Honey is the answer. In fact, Manuka Honey from New Zealand is reported to have the highest levels of healing properties. More so than any other type of honey in the world. Extensive research demonstrates that Manuka honey contains very powerful healing properties, making it extremely effective for use in wound care and for maintaining general health and well-being.

In 1982, Professor Peter Molan, a scientist from the University of Waikato in New Zealand, discovered that honey harvested from the Manuka tree, native only to New Zealand, contains unique healing properties such as the following:

Bacteriostatic – Manuka honey creates an environment that inhibits bacterial growth.
Anti-inflammatory – Manuka honey reduces both acute and chronic inflammation, which helps reduce pain, scarring and hastens the healing process.
Antioxidant – Manuka honey contains high levels of antioxidants to help prevent the formation of free radicals, which can damage tissue.
Moisture-maintaining – Manuka honey creates and maintains a moist healing environment supporting the cell growth that is essential to effective wound healing.

Scientists and doctors around the world have recognized active, medical-grade Manuka honey as being more effective than ordinary honey. Therefore, it is important to know that Manuka honey is not the same as ordinary honey sold at supermarkets. Manuka honey is harvested from bees that pollinate the flowers that grow on the Manuka plant. This unique bush is native to New Zealand and renowned for its potent antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant healing properties.

Another critical difference between regular honey and Manuka honey is that regular honey undergoes heat treatment during the packaging process, which destroys the healing properties. Manuka honey is finely filtered to remove all processing particles but is usually sold raw and unprocessed with all enzymes and healing properties stable and intact. The result is an extremely pure, highly effective medical-grade honey that has very little in common with common honey. Higher quality brands of Manuka Honey are also laboratory tested for its antibacterial potency and rated on a scale from 0 through 30. Manuka Honey with a UMF rating of 16 is ideal for medicinal use and recommended for most applications.

Manuka honey has been found to be effective against a wide range of bacteria such as the following:

  • Staphylococcus aureus – staph infections.
  • MRSA – antibiotic-resistant staph infection.
  • E-coli – the most common cause of infected wounds.
  • Streptococcus pyogenes – common cause of sore throat.
  • Helicobacter pylori – a bacteria linked to stomach ulcers.
  • Vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE) – another antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa – a common bacteria.
  • Enterococcus faecalis – a bacteria found in the gastrointestinal tract.
  • Salmonella – an illness-causing bacteria.

Manuka honey’s anti-inflammatory properties have been found to:

  • Reduce swelling
  • Reduce pain
  • Reduce scarring

For maintaining general health and well-being, Manuka honey can be used to:

  • Stimulate the immune system
  • Fight infection
  • Reduce inflammation
  • Enhance digestive health
  • Support natural body defenses

Manuka honey is effective in treating a variety of external and internal health conditions:

External

  • Infected wounds
  • Scars
  • Skin protection
  • Acne
  • Eczema
  • Psoriasis
  • Scrapes, cuts, burns, blisters
  • Ringworm
  • Insect bites/stings

Internal

  • Stomach, ear, urinary tract, eye, throat, sinus infections
  • Digestive health
  • Stimulates immune system
  • Sore/strep throat
  • Stomach aches/ulcers
  • Gum disease
  • Acid reflux, heartburn, gastritis
  • Irritable bowel syndrome

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

Friday, June 18, 2010

Important Questions Answered about Manuka Honey


What is Manuka Honey?

Manuka Honey is produced by bees that utilize the nectar of the flowers that grow on the Manuka plant (indigenous to New Zealand) also known as the Manuka tea tree.

What makes Manuka Honey different than ordinary honey?

All types of honey have some levels of healing properties. The differences between honeys are predicated on the plant-derived, floral nectar component used by the bees that produce it. Honey produced by bees that use the nectar of the Manuka flower contains far more healing properties than any other type of honey in the world. In addition, most Manuka Honey is raw and unprocessed. Most ordinary honey is heated and pasteurized so that it can flow easily through tubes during the packaging process. Most of the healing properties are destroyed when exposed to extreme heat. Raw honey contains live enzymes whereas processed honey is dead. Manuka Honey also contains more vitamins, minerals, amino acids and antioxidants than other types of honey.

What are the benefits of using Manuka Honey?

Manuka Honey is naturally antibacterial, antiviral, anti-fungal and anti-parasitic. Since so many health complications are caused by some type of harmful, infectious microorganism, Manuka Honey can be used to treat conditions caused by bacteria, virus, fungus or parasite. For reasons that have not yet been discovered, Manuka Honey only seems to destroy the harmful bacteria but leaves the good bacteria necessary for normal functioning.

What can Manuka Honey be used for?

When taken orally, Manuka Honey is effective in treating internal conditions such as stomach aches, stomach ulcers, sore throats, strep throat, acid reflux disease, heartburn, indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome, gastritis, cold and flu symptoms, etc.

When applied topically to the skin, Manuka Honey is effective in treating external conditions such as infected wounds, burns, eczema, psoriasis, ringworm (and other fungal infections), acne, MRSA Staph infections, pressure sores/bed sores, skin ulcers/diabetic foot ulcers, scars, wrinkles, surgical wounds, etc.

Manuka Honey can also be used to treat gum disease, sinus infections/sinusitis, urinary tract infections, eye infections, ear infections, arthritis, etc. Manuka Honey is particularly recognized for being able to successfully cure infections involving antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria such as MRSA and VRE, even when traditional forms of medicine have failed.

Is all Manuka Honey active and suitable for therapeutic use?

No. In New Zealand, where Manuka Honey is produced, a rating system exists that measures the antibacterial potency of the honey. The UMF rating system goes by a scale from 0 to 30. It’s generally accepted that Manuka Honey with a UMF rating of 10 or higher is considered to be active/medical-grade. Manuka Honey with a UMF rating of 0 through 9 should only be used for food purposes or as a sweetener. The higher the UMF rating, the higher the antibacterial potency. However, Manuka Honey with an extraordinarily high UMF rating is not desirable either (for example UMF 20, 25, 30). Manuka Honey that is overly potent is very rare, ridiculously expensive and completely overkill. In fact, there are reports of some people experiencing sensitivity to overly potent Manuka Honey, in the form of a burning or stinging sensation. The recommended potency for most applications is between UMF 10 and 16. UMF is an acronym for Unique Manuka Factor which refers to the antibacterial compound found in Manuka Honey.

Are there any downsides to using Manuka Honey for medicinal purposes?

Manuka Honey has been found to have no negative side effects. Even though Manuka Honey is a better sweetening alternative for diabetics than table sugar, they should still ingest it in moderation. Honey of any kind should not be fed to infants under the age of 12 months old, because of the presence of botulism spores.

Can Manuka Honey be used as a dietary supplement?

Manuka Honey contains less calories than table sugar and is processed in the body more efficiently. Because it’s packed with vitamins and antioxidants, it can also help to boost the immune system. Most people who take Manuka Honey on a regular basis find that they rarely get sick. Manuka Honey can also be an excellent energy booster. Table sugar is comprised mostly of sucrose, whereas Manuka Honey is comprised primarily of glucose and fructose. Sucrose has a tendency to spike blood sugar. However, Manuka Honey tends to stabilize blood sugar. The body uses the glucose for energy first. Once the glucose is done being used, the fructose is then converted to glucose and used to sustain energy longer.

If Manuka Honey has high sugar content, can it cause cavities or gum disease?

People think that sugar causes tooth decay and gum disease, but it is actually bacteria that does. Granted, bacteria feed on sugar and the more sugar there is in the mouth, the more bacteria will form. However, Manuka Honey contains such powerful antibacterial properties, that it destroys any bacteria present in the mouth that would normally cause tooth decay, gum disease or even bad breath.

Why is Manuka Honey so effective in treating wounds?

Manuka Honey contains powerful antibacterial properties that are effective in eliminating bacteria in a wound that may be causing infection, preventing the wound to heal. Manuka Honey also contains anti-inflammatory properties that help to relieve any pain associated with the wound. It has been known to form a moist healing environment which allows the scab to lift naturally off the surface of the wound. This, in turn, allows the newly forming skin to regrow flush with the surface of the skin, rather than below the scab, which would under normal circumstances, create deformity or scarring. The moist healing environment created by Manuka Honey also allows wound dressings to be changed without tearing off newly formed skin. Manuka Honey also has the ability to repair damaged skin and regenerate new skin growth at a faster rate than usual.

Can Manuka Honey also be used for cosmetic purposes?

Manuka Honey is considered to be a humectant, which means it has the ability to draw moisture from the atmosphere and lock it into skin cells. This makes it a desirable ingredient to use in cosmetic products. From an anti-aging perspective, Manuka Honey has been found to increase the production of collagen fibers and improve upon the elasticity of the skin. This visibly reduces the appearance of wrinkles and other signs of aging. Manuka Honey also protects the skin from free radical damage which is also another cause of aging.

How do you use Manuka Honey?

For internal use, it is recommended that one teaspoon of Manuka Honey be taken before breakfast, lunch and dinner and maybe even a fourth time before bed. If taking Manuka Honey orally off a spoon is not desirable, it can be spread on a piece of bread or toast. For maintenance purposes, one teaspoon per day is fine. For external use, Manuka Honey should be applied directly to the affected area, 1-2 times per day. If the affected area is in a location that can be easily smeared off, place the Manuka Honey on a bandage and then apply the bandage directly to the affected area. To avoid the sticky mess associated with using Manuka Honey topically, it is recommended to use a skin care product that contains Manuka Honey.

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

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Manuka Honey Used in Cancer Treatment

Medicine may be increasingly high-tech, but the latest wonder treatment which is being offered to patients is honey.

Recently, it was announced that bandages soaked in Manuka Honey are to be given to mouth cancer patients at the Christie Hospital in Manchester to reduce their chances of contracting the MRSA superbug and to lessen wound inflammation following surgery. This is just the latest study investigating this particular type of honey’s healing powers.

Manuka Honey is used routinely at the Manchester Royal Infirmary for dressing wounds, and other research has found it can fight gum disease, ease digestive problems and soothe sore throats. In addition to its internal uses, Manuka Honey can also be used externally on the skin to treat conditions such as infected wounds, eczema, ringworm, acne, etc.

All honey contains hydrogen peroxide, a substance once used as a wound disinfectant in hospitals. It comes from an enzyme that bees add to nectar. It also contains the enzyme glucose oxidase, which boosts its antibacterial properties. This was recognized by the ancient Egyptians and Greeks, who used honey to help heal burns and sores. However, it has been recognized that Manuka Honey from New Zealand contains higher levels of these healing properties, more so than any other type of honey.

Homemade Manuka Honey Facial Mask Recipes


A Manuka honey face mask has many benefits. Manuka Honey contains healing properties that are ideal for the skin. Using a Manuka honey face mask for dry skin is very beneficial because honey has the ability to attract moisture and retain it. Therefore applying a Manuka honey facial mask will benefit dry skin like nothing else.

It is also a known fact that Manuka honey aids in the healing process of wounds, burns and infections. It will also help to soften rough skin and make it smooth and supple, thereby preventing the onset of wrinkles and fine lines. Manuka Honey is packed with vitamins and antioxidants which help to protect the skin against free radicals.

Other benefits of a Manuka Honey facial mask are as follows:

  • Prevents discoloration of the skin and promotes even coloring;

  • Helps to renew skin cells, leaving skin looking visibly younger and radiant;

  • Helps to nourish and rejuvenate skin;

  • Heals and prevents fungal and bacterial infections;

  • Heals and prevents acne and other blemishes;

  • Treats eczema and psoriasis;

  • Moisturizes the skin;

  • Reduces the appearance of wrinkles.


Manuka Honey Face Mask Recipes

For Firming the Face

Ingredients:

  • Manuka Honey (1 tablespoon)

  • Egg White (1 egg)

  • Glycerin (1 teaspoon)

  • Flour (¼ cup)


Directions: Mix the honey, glycerin and egg white to make a solution. Then add flour and mix well, creating a paste. Apply evenly to the face and neck. Leave on for 15-20 minutes and rinse off with lukewarm water.

As a Facial

Ingredients:

  • Manuka Honey (1 cup)

  • Oatmeal (Uncooked, 1 cup)

  • Olive Oil (¼ teaspoon)

  • Avocado (½ cup)


Directions: Mix the honey, olive oil, oatmeal and avocado in a bowl. Apply to evenly the face and neck. Leave on for 15-20 minutes and rinse off with lukewarm water.

As a Moisturizing Pack

Ingredients:

  • Manuka Honey (2 tablespoons)

  • Whole Milk (2 teaspoons)


Directions: Mix the honey and milk into a smooth consistency. Apply evenly to the face and neck. Leave on for 15-20 minutes and rinse off with cold water.

For Fighting Acne

Ingredients:

  • Manuka Honey (2-3 tablespoons)

  • Cinnamon Powder (3-4 tablespoons)


Directions: Mix the honey and cinnamon powder into a smooth consistency. Apply directly on affected areas or the entire face before sleeping. Leave on for the entire night and wash it with warm water the morning after.

As a Nourishing Mask

Ingredients:

  • Manuka Honey (1 tablespoon)

  • Aloe Vera Juice (1 tablespoon)

  • Kelp Powder (1 tablespoon)


Directions: Mix the honey, aloe and kelp powder to the desired consistency. Let the mixture sit for about 30 minutes before use. Apply a thick layer onto the face and neck. Leave on for 15-20 minutes and rinse off with lukewarm water. Wait for 30 minutes then rinse off with cold water. Make sure that you do not use soap to wash your face.

It is important to use raw, unprocessed Manuka Honey as ordinary honey is heated and pasteurized during the packing process. This destroys the enzymes and natural healing properties that are present in honey. Additionally, Manuka Honey contains far more healing properties than any other type of honey. It is recommended that you use Manuka Honey with a UMF rating between 10 and 16. Less than 10 is not potent enough and more than 16 is too potent.

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

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

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.

Monday, June 7, 2010

Manuka Honey

Manuka Honey

Manuka Honey for Good Health and Natural Healing


Since the time of the ancient Egyptians, honey has been used for its healing powers. Today, one particular type of honey is being used in hospitals and homes around the world. That honey is Manuka Honey, which has become world renowned for its medical properties. Manuka honey is a mono-floral honey, meaning that the bees use the nectar from only one floral source. In this case, that source is the Manuka plant, indigenous to New Zealand. This unique type of honey contains powerful antimicrobial properties that can be used to treat a wide range of medical conditions.

Internally, Manuka Honey can be used for stomach ulcers (Helicobacter Pylori), sore throats (Streptococcus Pyogenes) and for general health and wellness. Many people have reported feeling better and having more energy just from taking Manuka honey on a regular basis. Topically on the skin, Manuka Honey has proven effective in healing wounds, burns, sores, ulcers, acne, boils, damaged skin and eczema. It provides a germ-free healing environment, ideal for infected wounds. Clinical studies also show that Manuka Honey heals wounds faster with less skin scarring.

All honey has some antibacterial activity because of its ability to produce low levels of hydrogen peroxide. However, the difference in potency can vary more than 100-fold between different honeys. Researchers have discovered that Manuka Honey has another type of antibacterial activity in addition to the hydrogen peroxide activity that is not present in other types of honey. This unique Manuka factor is more effective against many types of infectious microorganisms. It also remains effective in body tissues and fluids, whereas the healing properties in other types of honey are easily broken down by enzymes in the body.

For general wellness, simply take a teaspoon of Manuka honey each day. For more severe conditions such as stomach ulcers, acid reflux disease, irritable bowel syndrome, gastritis, etc., it is recommended that you take one teaspoon about 30 minutes before meals, either off the spoon or on a piece of toast. For strep or sore throats, let the honey slide down you throat slowly. For external use, apply Manuka honey directly to the affected area 1-2 times per day. If this becomes too much of a sticky mess, try using Manuka Honey skin care products.

It’s important to buy Manuka honey from a reputable source. Some Manuka Honey is not potent enough to be suitable for medicinal use. Only use active, medical-grade Manuka Honey with a UMF rating between 10 and 16.

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

Thursday, June 3, 2010

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.