Manuka Honey, a Natural Healer

Manuka is the Maori name for Leptospermum Scoparium which is a native tree of New Zealand. Known as The Healing Honey of the Tea Tee, Manuka has been used for centuries in traditional Maori folk medicine. Manuka Honey is found only in New Zealand and was the first honey to contain additional healing properties not found in other types of honey. This active property has proven to be a powerful antibacterial agent and helps support a healthy immune system.

Manuka honey contains a second type of antibacterial activity in addition to hydrogen peroxide. Its antibacterial activity is unaffected by enzymes in the body that destroy the hydrogen peroxide components. In addition, it diffuses deeper into skin tissue than the enzymes of other honeys. These factors make Manuka Honey ideal for medicinal use.

In laboratory tests, Manuka honey has proven to be a powerful topical antibacterial. It is classified as a Therapeutic Good in Australia (the equivalent to a drug registered and approved by the U.S. FDA), and the clinical advantages of Manuka honey have been recognized as a primary treatment by the UK Health Ministry for hospital wound care and treatment.

Clinical reports show that Manuka Honey can be used as an efficient wound dressing. The manner in which Manuka Honey heals wounds is a synergistic interaction of 5 key elements:

1. Hydrogen peroxide is produced from an enzyme in the honey upon skin contact. Scientific evidence has shown that most strains of harmful bacteria cannot survive in the presence of hydrogen peroxide.
2. A moist healing barrier is created by the honey between the wound and dressing with no sticking and no tissue damage. Scarring is reduced because skins cells grow without forming a scab.
3. Nutrients are supplied by the honey for healthy tissue regeneration and stimulation of growth of new blood capillaries.
4. Acidity of the honey assists in healing as topical acidification of wounds promotes healing.
5. An osmosis effect is produced by the honey’s high sugar content. It draws lymph out to the cells while absorbing moisture and provides an anti-inflammatory action, which reduces swelling, pain and malodor. Manuka honey assists in lifting dirt and debris from the bed of a wound and induces sloughing of dying tissue.

The popularity of Manuka honey in wound care is growing throughout the world where it is often used when traditional methods fail to heal persistent wounds and infections. It has been proven to be highly effective against antibiotic-resistant “superbugs” such as MRSA and VRE. It also heals persistent wounds and eliminates cross infections. Even if a wound isn't infected, Manuka honey is still the best thing to use to get the most rapid healing without scarring.

Other natural healing benefits of using Manuka Honey for medicinal purposes:
• 100% organic – it is one of the few honeys in the world that is truly organic
• Antioxidant source – disarms disease-causing free radicals in the body
• Stress reliever – calms the mind and promotes rejuvenating sleep
• Disease killer, with remarkably potent antibiotic properties and no negative side effects
• Promotes the growth of healthy bacteria
• Exfoliates and renews skin cells.
• Deep conditioner for hair. As a humectant, it attracts and retains moisture

Manuka Honey has been documented to effectively treat the following health conditions:
• Cuts, burns and skin ulcers
• Wounds and pressure sores
• Insect bites and stings
• Yeast infections
• Skin conditions, such as eczema and psoriasis
• Fungal infections such as athlete’s foot and ringworm
• Bacterial infections such as MRSA/Staph
• Respiratory conditions by soothing inflamed airways
• Sore throats and chapped lips
• Sore muscles (Mix 2 tablespoons in bath water)
• Kills bacteria that cause gum disease and tooth decay

Manuka honey can destroy infectious pathogens such as:
• E. coli
• Strep
• MRSA/Staph
• Salmonella
• H. pylori
• Pseudomonas

Manuka honey contains all the essential vitamins and minerals for sustaining life, including Vitamins A, B-complex, C, D, E, and K; beta-carotene; enzymes. It also contains more antioxidants and amino acids than other types of honey. Manuka Honey has only 21 calories per teaspoon and does not promote weight gain. In addition, it has a higher sweetening power than sugar, which means you can use less honey than sugar to achieved the desired sweetness. It also helps to boost energy more efficiently as well as the immune system.

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

Using Manuka Honey During Pregnancy

Manuka honey is an excellent natural remedy which is scientifically proven to assist within the therapy of many health conditions, reducing the need for pharmaceuticals, which have a tendency to cause negative side effects. Manuka Honey harnesses powerful healing properties which have proven to be more successful at treating a wide range of infections, even when compared to some of the most powerful antibiotics.

Manuka Honey can be used to treat conditions such as stomach aches/ulcers, sore/strep throat, acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome, gastritis, urinary tract infections, ear infections, sinus infections, etc. Scientist have discovered very powerful healing properties that are derived from the floral nectar component of the Manuka plant, indigenous to New Zealand.

Manuka Honey is perfectly safe to be taken while pregnant. It can also be taken while breastfeeding. It is an excellent alternative to traditional forms of medication and can be used when pregnant with no negative side effects. There is no evidence suggesting that it can negatively affect an unborn child.

It is important to know that infants under the age of one year old should not consume honey of any kind. Due to Clostridium Botulinum which may be present in some honeys, feeding infants honey is known to be the cause of a disease called infant botulism. This bacteria will not germinate within the digestive system of individuals older than one year of age. Due to an under developed intestinal system, infants can not break down this form of bacteria.

Things to remember:

1. It is safe to consume Manuka Honey when pregnant.
2. It is safe to consume Manuka Honey when breast feeding.
3. It is safe to use Manuka Honey on the skin when pregnant.
4. It is safe for infants to use Manuka Honey topically on the skin.
5. It is not safe to feed infants under the age of 12 months honey of any kind unless it is gamma irradiated.

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

Manuka Honey as a Natural Solution for Acid Reflux, Heartburn, GERD

If you are looking for a natural remedy to ease the suffering of Acid Reflux Disease, then you should consider trying Manuka honey which is a special type of honey that comes from New Zealand. It has been determined that Manuka Honey contains far more healing properties than any other type of honey and is effective in treating a wide range of internal health conditions.

Manuka Honey has a soothing effect that will coat your digestive intestinal tissues located along the bottom of your esophageal (food pipe). It is considered to be among the best honey products available to act as a healing agent, and speed the recovery process.

Researchers have found that Manuka Honey is very beneficial for acid reflux disease because it has natural anti-inflammatory properties. The unique minerals and vitamins it contains helps to heal irritated tissues in the digestive, gastrointestinal tract and has the capacity to coat the esophagus and protect the lining tissues.

In order to get the best results, it is recommended to take Manuka Honey before meals and before bedtime (3-4 times teaspoons per day) on a piece of bread. The bread will allow the honey to reach the bottom of the lower esophagus in order to get optimal performance. Manuka honey can also be taken when acid reflux symptoms start flaring up. The soothing effect and coating will provide fast relief. Manuka honey does not have any known side effects and is safe to use if you're taking medication.

It is important to use a raw, unpasteurized, active, medical-grade Manuka Honey with a UMF rating between 10 and 18. Manuka Honey with a UMF rating lower than 10 is inactive and will not yield the results that most people have come to expect of Manuka Honey. UMF 20 or higher is too potent and may cause sensitivity in the form of a burning or stinging sensation. A medium grade, such as UMF 16, is most desirable.

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

Can Manuka Honey Help Eczema?

The term eczema refers to a variety of chronic, itchy skin inflammations. These conditions are often characterized by redness and dry skin patches, and can also become sites for invasive infections by microbial pathogens, such as bacteria, fungi or viruses. There are a variety of treatments for eczema. However, many people are finding relief by using skin care products that contain Manuka honey. Indigenous to New Zealand, Manuka honey is derived from floral nectar that contains very high antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

It was known many years ago that honey has antimicrobial properties. More recently, researchers noticed that honeys derived from different plants provided different levels of antibacterial activity. Honey inhibits infections in several ways. Its concentration of sugar and low water content inhibits bacterial growth, but it’s the generation of hydrogen peroxide using the enzyme glucose oxidase that makes Manuka honey more antiseptic than others. Researchers have found that hydrogen peroxide is created only when the honey is diluted, at which point a slow-release of this antiseptic is created, which fights infections without damaging skin tissue. Manuka Honey in skin creams actually enhances this naturally occurring benefit.

Eczema can be extremely difficult to treat. However, in clinical studies, there is evidence that Manuka Honey is more effective than even traditional medical treatments because of a second antibacterial component that works synergistically with the hydrogen peroxide-producing enzyme to reduce infections and inflammation. Antibacterial compounds found in Manuka honey such as methylglyoxal and UMF (Unique Manuka Factor) contributes to its efficacy. UMF ratings range from 1 to 25 where the number in the rating is the approximate equivalent to the same percentage strength of a standard antiseptic. Manuka Honey UMF 16 is considered to be ideal for cuts, grazes, burns, fungal infections and wounds.

No treatment for eczema and other forms of dermatitis work overnight. However, with regular application, Manuka Honey products can be extremely effective in reducing inflammation and itching, healing damage to skin, reducing scars, and promoting new cell growth. Honeymark's Anti-Itch Cream contains Manuka Honey UMF 16 and is effective in treating a variety of skin conditions including eczema, burns, poison ivy, poison oak inflammations, insect bites, early onset shingles and heat rash. In addition to Manuka Honey, this product contains other natural ingredients that have an outstanding ability to nourish, soothe and heal sensitive skin.

For more information or to purchase Honeymark's Anti-Itch Cream, call 1-866-427-7329 or visit www.HoneymarkProducts.com.

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Internal Uses for Manuka Honey

For decades, Manuka Honey has been used in New Zealand to treat many different types of health conditions. Now the curative ability of this natural healing source is becoming known worldwide as natural alternatives become preferred over pharmaceuticals.

The following information is just a few ways in which Manuka Honey can be used in addition to, or as a viable alternative, to antibiotics and other traditional forms of medicine.

Acid Reflux Disease / Heartburn / Indigestion

Medical research and anecdotal reports indicates that active Manuka Honey can be used for stomach related conditions. Manuka Honey is a natural antibacterial agent that has absolutely no known side effects when used for medicinal purposes. It also will not conflict with medication that a person may be taking to treat the condition. The way Manuka Honey works is by coating the stomach and esophagus and by healing the damaged tissue and lining caused by acid reflux disease. Manuka Honey has an antibacterial effect four times greater than other antiseptics. It also helps revive the natural cultures of good bacteria in the stomach that are necessary for normal functioning. This helps digestion and boosts the immune system.

Directions: Take 1 teaspoon of Manuka Honey UMF 16, 3-4 times per day, 20-30 minutes before meals and before bedtime. If taking orally from a spoon is not desirable, you can also take it on a piece of toast or fruit. This prevents the Manuka Honey from being dissolved into the blood stream too quickly before it gets into the stomach. Continue this regimen for 3 month or until symptoms dissipate. Results should occur within 3-6 days.

Stomach Ulcers / H. Pylori

If the cause of a stomach ulcer is determined to be the Helicobacter pylori bacterium, Manuka Honey can be used to treat it. It's powerful antibacterial properties eliminate the infectious bacteria and immediately begin to heal the inner lining of the stomach.

Directions: Take 3 teaspoons of Manuka Honey UMF 16 per day before meals and before bedtime, preferably on a piece of toast or a cracker. In the beginning you might experience a slight burning sensation. This should stop in 2-3 days and the natural antibacterial properties should begin taking effect.

Sore Throats / Strep Throat

Manuka Honey has antibacterial properties that are known to kill all bacteria, including streptococcus which causes sore throats. Its anti-inflammatory properties can also help to soothe the throat and relieve pain.

Directions:Take 3 teaspoons of Manuka Honey every day, letting it drip slowly down your throat. Continue for at least a month to help destroy the entire population of streptococcus bacteria in the throat.

Gum Disease
Studies have shown that Manuka Honey can play a therapeutic role in treating gum disease and periodontal disease. It is proven to be unaffected by enzymes in the body. This means that the antibacterial properties of Manuka Honey cannot be destroyed by body fluids, allowing it to destroy the bacteria that causes gum disease. Manuka Honey can also prevent tooth decay and bad breath, both of which are also caused by bacteria in the mouth.

Directions: Apply Manuka Honey directly onto the gums immediately after brushing, using a cotton swab or your fingertip. In addition, take a teaspoon of Manuka Honey and keep it inside your mouth, making sure it penetrated between teeth and onto the gums.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Diarrhea / Constipation

The presence of Manuka honey in the digestive system is proven to not only kill disease-causing bacteria but also improve the immune system by regenerating the probiotics in the gut.

Directions:Take 3 teaspoons per day, half an hour before meals.

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

Methylglyoxal in Manuka Honey – Correlation with Antibacterial Properties

Abstract

A perfect linear correlation was found for methylglyoxal levels in 61 samples of Manuka honey, ranging from 189 to 835 mg/kg, and the corresponding antibacterial activities of the samples, which were between 12.4% and 30.9% equivalent phenol concentration. This clearly underlines that methylglyoxal is the dominant bioactive compound in Manuka honey and above concentrations of around 150 mg/kg directly responsible for the characteristic antibacterial properties of Manuka honey. Methylglyoxal can be a suitable tool for labeling the unique bioactivity of Manuka honey.

Introduction

Manuka honey, derived from the Manuka tree (Leptospermum scoparium) in New Zealand, is well-known for a pronounced antibacterial activity which cannot be found in any other honey. Manuka honey has been reported to exhibit antimicrobial activity against pathogenic bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Helicobacter pylori, making this honey to a promising functional food for the treatment of wounds, stomach ulcers, etc. Besides hydrogen peroxide, which is produced in most conventional honeys by the endogenous enzyme glucoseoxidase, several other non-peroxide factors were discussed to be responsible for the unique antibacterial activity of Manuka honey.

The Unique Manuka Factor (UMF) was introduced years ago, leading to a classification of premium products based on microbiological assays. A UMF of 10, for instance, has the same antibacterial activity to a 10% solution of phenol. Recently, researchers were able to demonstrate that the surprisingly high amounts of the 1,2-dicarbonyl compound methylglyoxal are present in Manuka honey. Methylglyoxal, at the levels at which were found it in Manuka honey, proved to be another non-peroxide antibacterial constituent. This observation was confirmed by scientists. The purpose of the present study was to investigate to which extent methylglyoxal is responsible for the non-peroxide antibacterial activity of Manuka honey, in order to check whether it is possible to back-reference from the methylglyoxal content to the antibacterial properties of a honey sample.

Materials and Methods

The source of the 61 samples of Manuka honey from New Zealand came from drums of honey selected on a spread of non-peroxide contents and of varying ages. The amount of methylglyoxal was measured as the corresponding quinoxaline after pre-column derivatisation with o-phenylendiamine using RP-HPLC with UV detection. The data for non-peroxide antibacterial activity were analyzed by a specially appointed laboratory for testing for antibacterial activity using criteria laid down by the Honey Research Unit at Waikato University, New Zealand. Antibacterial activity was expressed as equivalent phenol concentration (% w/v). This value is used commercially as the Unique Manuka Factor (UMF).

Results and Discussion

Methylglyoxal levels in 61 samples of Manuka honey ranged from 189 to 835 mg/kg honey. Corresponding antibacterial activities were between 12.4 and 30.9% equivalent phenol concentration. A good linear correlation (y = 8.388 + 0.0263x; r2 = 0.905) between methylglyoxal and the antibacterial activity was found. This indicates that methylglyoxal is directly responsible for the characteristic antibacterial properties of Manuka honey. Our data is in perfect agreement with results published by Adams who had reported data for 49 samples of Manuka honey. In their study, concentrations of methylglyoxal as measured according to Mavric ranged from 25 to 709 mg/kg.

Corresponding antibacterial activity was between “not detectable” and 27.5% equivalent phenol concentration. Among the samples analyzed by Adams, 30 samples had antibacterial activities higher or equal 10% equivalent phenol concentration. Plotting these 30 samples together with data obtained in our study, a perfect match of the data sets can be obtained. This remarkable agreement of results obtained in two independent studies clearly underlines the final statement that methylglyoxal is the dominant bioactive compound in Manuka honey and starting from concentrations of approximately 150 mg/kg is exclusively responsible for the pronounced antibacterial activity. Due to limited sensitivity and inaccuracy of the used test system, data obtained for antibacterial activities below 10% equivalent phenol concentration must be handled with care. This may explain the fact that the corresponding regression lines in Figure 1 do not pass through the origin (parameter a = 8.388 or 7.783, respectively). Furthermore, for such low antibacterial activities, other factors such as polyphenols, organic acids or currently unknown compounds may additionally contribute to non-peroxide antibacterial properties.

In conclusion, methylglyoxal is a unique antibacterial compound found in high concentrations in Manuka honeys from New Zealand and directly responsible for the specific antibacterial activity of these samples. Methylglyoxal can serve as a suitable tool for the labeling of the bioactivity of commercial products.



Figure 1. (A) correlation between methylglyoxal and antibacterial activity for 61 samples of Manuka honey analyzed in this study, (B) data analyzed in this study plus data from Allen shown as filled triangles

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Manuka Honey Remedies for Hair and Skin Care

Manuka honey from New Zealand is becoming a popular ingredient for both medical and beauty purposes. Rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and amino acids, Manuka honey has excellent healing capabilities when used on the skin or hair.

While all types of honey contains antioxidants and antibacterial properties, these factors are diminished when confronted with external enzymes. However, the healing properties in Manuka honey are more stable and are not broken down by enzymes on or in the body. Therefore, its effectiveness is more superior than ordinary honey and does not contravene the performance of the product.

There are now skin care products available that contain Manuka honey as a natural healing agent. Using Manuka honey in its purest form also offers some special benefits. Utilizing a few basic house hold products, you can make homemade skin care remedies that will assist in softening any dry skin areas. This requires a teaspoon of vegetable oil, a teaspoon of lemon juice and a teaspoon of Manuka honey. Simply blend these ingredients to create a paste like consistency and spread over any dry areas and allow to soak into the skin for approximately 10-15 minutes. Then wash off with warm water.

For a facial toner, take one apple, peel it and chop it into pieces leaving the core. Place it into a blender along with one teaspoon of Manuka honey. Blend until a smooth consistency is achieved. Then apply it to your face. Allow this to soak into your skin for approximately 10-15 minutes then wash off with cold water. This will leave the skin feeling toned and smooth.

For a cleansing facial scrub, take one tablespoon of Manuka honey and mix it with 2 tablespoons of finely chopped almonds and a touch of lemon juice. Gently massage the mixture into the skin around the face and neck. Then remove with a warm face cloth and water.

For a firming mask, blend one tablespoon of Manuka honey with an egg white. Add one teaspoon of Glycerine and ¼ cup of flour. Blend together until you have an evenly sooth consistency without lumps. Spread over the facial area avoiding contact the eyes. Allow the mixture to dry for approximately 10 minutes, then wash off with warm water.

For the hair, mix ¼ cup of olive oil and ¼ cup of Manuka honey. If you have oily hair, reduce the amount of olive oil. Blend together into a pasty texture. Massage the mixture through your hair until completely covered. Allow the mixture to infuse into the hair for 15-20 minutes . Shampoo hair and wash the oil/honey mixture out. This remedy will leave your hair nourished, clean and shiny.

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

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