With the increasing publicity and popularity of Manuka Honey the market is steadily growing.
A product which has all ways been known to be far superior to standard honeys and used to treat a wide range of ailments as a home remedy was never tested and it was unknown exactly why this honey harnessed these powers. With the event of questions being raised regarding it effectiveness professor Dr Peter Moran successfully
There are a lot of evidence and success stories though out the world on its usage and benefits of this product. Most of the research has on the benefits of active manuka honey has taken place by the honey research unit at Waikato University in New Zealand, where Dr Peter Molan has been studying the product for over 20 years In order to gain additional clinical evidence. Now tests and trails are taking part in hospitals throughout the world. Usage in hospital began in hospitals in Melbourne Australia with some excellent results. Research is continues at University of Auckland on manuka honey’s use for leg ulcers, and in Wales, the University of Wales Institute Cardiff is investigates the effectiveness of the product when combating MRSA.
However when purchasing as with any product it’s good to have an understanding it and what makes it so effective and that you realise that not all honeys harness these anti bacterial properties and there are imposters out there. In New Zealand a few years ago a company was found to be supplying standard manuka honey which contained none of these properties though they were advertising and selling it for these purposes. This company was successfully stopped fined and by the New Zealand Commission of Commerce.
But what is the difference between honey and active manuka honey what is it that makes this honey different and so much more effective in treating bacteria and micro organisms.
Manuka honey as with all honeys contains hydrogen peroxide and enzyme glucose oxidise which help provide all honeys with antibacterial properties. Though when place on a wound the effect of these properties can be greatly affected when in contact with heat and contacted by enzymes present in the wound. Active Manuka Honey harnesses an additional compound which is proven to work synergistically with these two other compounds this is now commonly known as the unique manuka factor or UMF. More recently these properties with scientific research the actual component of Manuka Honey has been labelled as MGO (methyl glyoxol), though UMF (Unique Manuka Factor) is still a well used testing method used to indicate the potency of the product. The UMF does not break down at all when it comes up against other enzymes it also helps to stabilise the hydrogen peroxide and glucose oxidise preventing it from breaking down.
The existence of the UMF in manuka honey is found by testing for its level of antibacterial activity. Testing the honeys against more convectional antibiotics such as phenol and methyl. A UMF of 10+ would have the same anti biotic properties greater than that of a solution of 10% of these substances.
Manuka Honey is not cheap though it is excellent value for money as it can be used for an extensive list of everyday aliments as well a skin care alternative. To ensure that the manuka honey you are buying, is of the correct grade and been tested to UMF standards please follow the guidelines as issued by the Active Manuka Honey Association to protect you and also to protect the reputation with the chances of millions of pounds of research been label as a fad.
Genuine UMF Manuka Honey complies with all five of the following
criteria:
1. It has the name UMF clearly stated on the front label. MGO is a licensed tested scale though these are 2 different departments and associations.
2. It must be packed into jars and labelled in New Zealand.
3. It must be from a New Zealand company licensed to use the name UMF.
4. It must have UMF licensee’s name on the front label.
5. A UMF 10 or more is recommended for most topical applicants and when treating any pathogens. A UMF 5+ is more likely to be used as a food/supplement and maybe beauty applications
So for the best results, whatever the use. Be careful and check what you are buying.
