Manuka honey is derived from nectar collected by honey bees foraging on the Manuka tree found growing in New Zealand and parts of Australia. Studies show Manuka honey can help heal wounds. It’s effective in fighting infection and promoting healing.
Can Manuka honey heal wounds and prevent infection?
Studies report that Manuka honey could help clear chronic wound infections and even prevent them from developing.
Streptococcus pyogenes is a normal skin bacterium that is frequently associated with chronic non-healing wounds. Bacteria that infect wounds can clump together forming “biofilms”. These biofilms form a barrier to drugs and promotes chronic infection.
Researchers at Cardiff Metropolitan University have shown that Manuka honey
can not only destroy these biofilms in vitro, but also prevent the bacteria initially binding to components of wound tissue.
You can find Manuka honey wound dressings on the market today.
Are all natural honeys good for wounds?
The healing property of honey is due to the fact that it offers antibacterial activity, maintains a moist wound condition, and its high viscosity helps to provide a protective barrier to prevent infection.
However, there is a large variation in the antimicrobial activity of some natural honeys, which is due to spatial and temporal variation in sources of nectar. Thus, the quality and possible therapeutic potential of honeys against several health disorders of humans is difficult to determine.
Not all honey is the same. Some kinds of honey may be 100 times more potent than others!
Why is Manuka honey the best honey to heal wounds?
The use of honey as a traditional remedy for microbial infections dates back to ancient times. Manuka honey is more potent than other kinds of honey because it has more components with antibacterial qualities.
A strong antibacterial component in Manuka honey is methylglyoxal (MG). MG is a compound found in most types of honey, but usually only in small quantities.
Research has been conducted on Manuka honey, which has been demonstrated to be effective against many human pathogens, including Escherichia coli (E. coli), Enterobacter aerogenes, Salmonella typhimurium, S. aureus.
Laboratory studies have revealed that the honey is effective against methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), β-haemolytic streptococci and vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE).
How to determine the potency of Manuka honey?
There’s a scale that rates the potency of Manuka honey. The rating is called Unique Manuka Factor (UMF), which corresponds with the concentration of MG and other compounds.
To be considered potent enough to be therapeutic, Manuka honey needs a minimum rating of 10 UMF. Honey at or above that level is marketed as “UMF Manuka Honey” or “Active Manuka Honey.”
If you’re interested in buying Manuka honey, choose it carefully! Here are other brands I recommend. Dr. Axe recommends this one: Happy Valley UMF 15+ Manuka Honey.
Caution: There are possible side effects of Manuka honey, such as allergic reactions. Always consult your doctor before using Manuka honey for a wound.
Have you ever used Manuka honey on a wound? Feel free to share your experience in the comment section here below! Manuka honey has many uses. Did you know that it works for eczema and acne? If you’re interested in making your own face wash with Manuka honey, check out this page!
- Sources
- Disclaimer
Article by
J. Beck
Sources for this article include:
- Society for General Microbiology (2012, January 31). Honey could be effective at treating and preventing wound infections. ScienceDaily. Retrieved February 2, 2012, from https://www.sciencedaily.com /releases/2012/01/120131205919.htm
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3609166/
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