Honey is one of the oldest medicines that has continued to be used up to present times. Its use has recently been rediscovered by the medical profession, especially for dressing wounds. There are numerous reports of the effectiveness of honey in wound management. The rapid clearing of infection from wounds treated with honey dressings has been among the many observations, including those infected by antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria such as MRSA and VRE.
However, not all honey is created equal. The medicinal value of honey varies greatly, depending on the nectar of the floral source used by the honeybees during the manufacturing process. All types of honey can be expected to suppress infection in wounds because of its acidity and high sugar content. However, medical grade honey made from the nectar of the flowers that grow on the Manuka bush (Leptospermum scorparium), indigenous to New Zealand, has proven to have the highest levels of antibacterial properties. This unique type of honey is known as Manuka Honey.
When using Manuka Honey dressings on wounds, an anti-inflammatory action has been observed as well as a stimulatory effect on the growth of new blood capillaries, granulation tissue and epithelial cells. The anti-inflammatory properties that exist in Manuka Honey are due to antioxidants and help reduce pain in wounds. The stimulation of tissue growth is due to the supply of nutrients that exist in Manuka Honey, which hastens the healing process.
The antibacterial activity of honey is due to hydrogen peroxide generated by the action of an enzyme that the bees add to the nectar. The problem with standard honey is that enzymes in the body break down hydrogen peroxide. However, the antibacterial components in Manuka Honey are not broken down by this enzyme. In addition to hydrogen peroxide, Manuka Honey also contains another antibacterial component that only comes from the nectar of the Manuka flowers. This other antibacterial component has become known as the Unique Manuka Factor or UMF.
Honeymark's First Aid Antiseptic Lotion with Active Manuka Honey is an effective wound dressing that heals wounds and burns while protecting against bacterial contamination and skin infection, including Staph infections and wounds infected with MRSA.
