last decade that the world's medical establishment has begun to take more seriously the possible clinical benefits of Active Manuka Honey and consider it as a first line treatment in a number of serious skin surface applications. The discovery of a unique antibacterial property has led Active Manuka Honey to be considered for both external and internal digestive uses. Previously, this valuable natural resource has been disregarded by conventional medical wisdom to be no more important than any other 'traditional' or homeopathic remedy.All honey has some level of the antibacterial chemical hydrogen peroxide, which is produced by enzymes in the honey. These enzymes are easily destroyed by exposure to heat and light and also by contact with body fluids. It is now understood that some rare honeys have an antibacterial action that is separate to the peroxide effect, resulting in a much more persistent and stable antibacterial action. Such valuable honeys are resistant to losing their antibacterial activity when used in wound treatment and even have strong activity when heavily diluted by body fluids in a wound dressing. Furthermore, such honeys are now known to have a synergistic antibacterial effect with the hydrogen peroxide activity, producing a very powerful weapon against bacterial conditions.
Since 1991 it has been recognised that not all honey is effective in its non-peroxide anti-bacterial action and in its promotion of healing - in fact the variability between different batches of honey can be as much as 100-fold. In 1996 an organisation called TradeNZ, in conjunction with the Honey Research Unit, set about to establish a standard for the classification of antibacterial honey activity. This led to the creation of the UMF® industry standard - UMF standing for Unique Manuka Factor. The Honey Research Unit developed a procedure for rating honeys which has now been in place for some time.
Tested batches of Manuka Honey are given a UMF® rating, depending on their tested antibacterial activity. A UMF® rating of 10 is the minimum activity to gain the UMF rating and thus be considered useful in serious applications. Honey achieving this rating is commonly referred to as Active Manuka Honey, although manuka honey is often marketed as being 'active' even though it is not.
Active Manuka Honey and external uses
There have been many observed beneficial external effects of using the honey topically, but UK Trading Standards requirements prevent them from being talked about here. To discover more of the specific applications of the honey and why it has proved so effective then please click on the 'research articles' link in the navigation buttons to the left. You will find a link to a resource of many case studies and research articles written by the New Zealand medical establishment.
Active Manuka Honey has been reported to be effective when applied to fungal skin conditions including dermatophytes. A common feature of fungal conditions is that there is also a strong presence of bacterial infestation. While antibiotics can often provide an effective remedy, they are often inneffective at clearing up the fungal infection.
The use of Active Manuka Honey is not restricted to skin applications alone. It has also been widely used for a number of internal uses and is regularly recommended in the alternative medicine columns in the popular press.
Side Effects and Contraindications
1) Bees sometimes make honey from poisonous plants and these plant poisons can affect people who eat the honey. Though this is very rare, it does sometimes occur. Usually honey bought from reliable beekeepers or local sources who know which plants their honeybees use is safe.
2) Occasionally, uncooked honeys can contain botulism spores that can be quite dangerous to children under one year old. The Centers for Disease Control recommends avoiding honey for these young children. Their digestive systems are fully formed after one year old and there are no reports of adverse reactions after that age. You may wish to wait as long as two years to be sure.
3) In rare instances, people with allergic reactions to bee stings may have adverse reactions to honey.
