Manuka Honey
Manuka Honey is made in Australia and New Zealand by bees that pollinate the native manuka bush. Advocates say it can treat wound infections and other conditions. Be aware, flies are attracted to honey and it is sticky.
Honey Science
Antibacterial: Honey is acidic (3.5-4 pH) and animal tissue is about neutral (7.4 pH). Most bacteria thrives best in neutral to basic environments. The honey lowers the pH on the surface of the wound to inhibit bacterial growth. Honey is hygroscopic, which means that its sugars readily absorb moisture. Honey will draw pus and other fluids out of the wound while keeping the exposed surfaces moist. This will encourage lymphatic fluid to flow into the injured area. Most species of bacteria do not survive in this hygroscopic environment.
Anti-inflammatory: Although inflammation is a natural part of the body’s response to illness or injury, if it becomes chronic, it can stall healing. The MGO in honey combined with another protein the bees secrete, acts on white blood cells in the tissue to produce an anti-inflammatory effect.
Antioxidant: Honey is rich in polyphenols. They tend to bind with potentially damaging reactive oxygen species, which are generated as a byproduct of inflammation. Honey’s antioxidant qualities can break this cycle of chronic inflammation and allow healing to proceed.
Healing Power of Honey
Honey has been used since ancient times to treat multiple conditions. It wasn't until the late 19th century that researchers discovered that honey has natural antibacterial qualities. Not all honey is the same. The antibacterial quality of honey depends on the type of honey as well as when and how it's harvested. Some kinds may be 100 times more potent than others.
The main medical use for Manuka honey is on top of a wound. It is generally used for treating minor wounds and burns. Manuka honey is also marketed for use in many other conditions, although the evidence is limited on whether it works for the following conditions:
Preventing and treating cancer
Reducing high cholesterol
Reducing inflammation inside the body
Treating diabetes
Treating eye, ear, and sinus infections
Treating gastrointestinal problems
The honey used to treat wounds is a medical-grade honey. It is specially sterilized and prepared as a dressing. So the jar of manuka honey in the pantry should NOT be part of your first aid kit. Infections should be seen and treated by a health care professional.
Manuka Honey - What to look for
Manuka honey is widely available online and in some health food stores. When making your purchase, it’s important to understand exactly what you’re getting — not all Manuka honey is the same.
This type of honey is often labeled as “active Manuka honey,” which can be misleading. This term refers to the antibacterial effects produced by hydrogen peroxide. These antibacterial effects are found in all types of honey.
To guarantee the unique healing properties of Manuka honey, look for a reference to “non-peroxide antibacterial activity (NPA),” or a UMF rating. The UMF rating measures the amount of NPA present in the honey.
Also stick to brands that contain MGO, the unique antibacterial factor in Manuka honey. The more MGO, the better.
Manuka honey manufacturers label their product with a unique Manuka factor (UMF) rating. This number describes the levels of MGO and a precursor, dihydroxyacetone.
To get the most benefit, use a Manuka honey with a high UMF. The higher the UMF number, the higher the level of these compounds.
The range for UMF scoring is as follows:
0 to 4: an undetectable amount is present
5 to 9: low levels are present
10 to 15: useful levels are present
16: superior, high-grade levels are present
Heather honey and Tualang honey have also been discovered to possess good therapeutic properties.
Seek advice from a veterinarian before treating a horse’s wound with honey. Honey is very helpful in early stages of wound repair, but less helpful in later stages. In the early inflammatory stage, honey seems to have the most positive effect in helping to remove necrotic tissue. However, if you continue to use honey in the later repair stages, you desiccate the wound, which can be detrimental.