Actually, not all honey is good for you. The hydrogen peroxide element found in most honey is imparted by the bee that processes the raw nectar in its gut. Some bee species are more powerful at this than others, and some bee species impart no hydrogen peroxide at all. In effect, unless you know the actual property of the honey, you may just be consuming a sugary syrup honey and in fact might as well just use syrup if the efficacy of most honeys is not what you seek.

Manuka honey is special. It has had hundreds of clinical trials over the last 25 years, conducted by Japanese, Australian, New Zealand, Irish and UK hospitals and universities, and is proven to have additional natural anti-biotic properties as well as the hydrogen peroxide.

What is Manuka Honey?

The Manuka Tree is native to New Zealand, with over 99% of the world’s population of Manuka Trees being found there. The balance, a very small percentage, is found in Australia.

The nectar secreted by the Manuka Tree contains what the scientists (led by UK Dr Peter Mowlam – Google him) call ‘UMF’ – Unique Manuka Factor. UMF can be concentrated and is rated in strength rather like the SPF rating (Sun Protection Factor). The highest UM Factor is 25, grading down to 20, 15, 10, 5 and ‘normal’. The higher the factor, the greater the efficacy, and, the higher the price.

Manuka Honey is reinforced by the species of bee that gathers the nectar and feeds exclusively from the Manuka Tree. This species (can’t remember the name) is one of the most powerful emitters of hydrogen peroxide, therefore with quality produced Manuka Honey, you get a double whammy, in a manner of speaking.

How has it been used?

Obviously as a food, but during the research years this has evolved far beyond something you spread on your toast, with the most exciting developments being in wound care management products, as well as a range of other health care products for general well being, cold cures, lip balms, cold sore cures and even a cure for acne.

I saw a BBC documentary, presented by respected BBC journalist, Angela Rippon, which investigated the Manuka efficacy. Many case studies were presented, notably a woman from Manchester who had a mastectomy.

2 years post op, the wound had still not accepted a skin graft and she was beginning to resign herself to living the rest of her life with an open wound. However, doctors began using Manuka Honey to treat the condition and within one week her wound accepted a skin graft, within 9 weeks she was completely healed.

There are literally hundreds of clinical trials that have produced similar results, far more than conventional medicines are trialed. In the arena of conventional surgery, the chemical based treatments used to treat wounds post op are toxic and poisonous to the human body and consequently must be used sparingly. This is not the case with Manuka, where UMF 25 is as powerful as the strongest toxic cleaner. Being a natural product with no ill side effects it can be used liberally without fear of being poisoned.

Why is Manuka Honey not so well known then, if it is that good?

Because it has been developed by lower funded, small companies and not one of the giant pharma companies.

In recent times, silver creams and dressings have been promoted for wound care treatment. Mainly developed by Smith & Nephew (one of the giant pharma companies) it is heavily supported with marketing to the medical profession, and even for domestic dressings ie plasters.

However, the fact is that silver is not proven to work. According to Dr Peter Mowlem (I was lucky enough to attend one of his medical professional lectures) silver has only undergone 1 clinical trial. The result was inconclusive, one can therefore conclude that it failed. Yet many doctors, not bothering to read the clinical trials, still recommend silver. That’s the power of the pharma companies.

The leading brand in Manuka Honey is Comvita, though Honey New Zealand is another respected brand. These companies ensure that the UMF ratings are accurate and that the products derived from the honey are proven to deliver what they claim to do.

I myself have had a (relatively) serious injury, which under normal circumstances would have required a skin graft, I treated it with UMF 5 (only 5) and the wound healed on its own.

The honey has other benefits as well. It is a natural pain reliever, which I personally testify (not to mention the clinical trial evidence) works.

Also as the wound is kept moist whilst healing by the honey, it facilitates lower levels of scar tissue forming. It is an urban myth that you should expose an open wound to fresh air. When this happens, a hard, dry scab forms over the wound which makes it difficult for the new skin to grow underneath. As the new soft and delicate skin grows it is restricted by the hard tissue above, which creates greater levels of scarring.

A further benefit is that it has a natural analgesic effect, significantly reducing the pain of the wound.

Manuka Honey. It is excellent, and it is worth every penny.

By all means, treat your wounds, colds etc with ‘normal’ honey, but, how can you be sure you are not just using sugar and water with a honey flavour?

Who wants to know about ‘propolis’?

Sorry AC, my rather lengthy response under Bo Snr was supposed to be placed under your comment.

which would equal about 2012…..

Ok cheers Urban - more sugar poofs please.

The name is Stewart Allyn. Always went by “Stew”.

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