The benefits of manuka honey
Manuka honey has a darker appearance than other honey, a stronger taste, superior antibacterial, and healing properties. Does manuka honey deserve its reputation?
The honey comes from the manuka tree, which grows only in certain regions of New Zealand and Australia.
A cousin of the tea tree, from which the antibacterial essential oil of the same name is extracted, manuka guarantees an exceptional honey, with a high price, but with tempting promises.
According to the producers, no comparison is possible: manuka honey is far superior to the others. According to them, it fights bacterial infections, including resistant ones, and heals wounds, even ulcerated ones, better.
The composition of manuka honey is unique
What makes it so special is the UMF or Unique Manuka Factor," says Carole Minker, Ph.D. in Pharmacy and Pharmacognosy. This number on the label represents its antibacterial power. The higher it is, the more active the honey is reputed to be. »
It was New Zealand researcher Peter Molan who discovered the presence of this original substance, but it was not until 2008 that it was discovered that the molecule behind UMF was methylglyoxal.
All honey contains this antibacterial substance," explains Dr. Becker, president of the Association francophone d'apithérapie. The particularity of manuka honey is that it contains much more thanks to its botanical origin. »
Manuka honey is a powerful antibacterial.
This exceptional concentration of methylglyoxal gives it a powerful antimicrobial activity.
This honey is effective against all common bacteria involved in sinusitis, angina, or bronchitis. Some scientific works show that it acts globally faster and at a lower dose than other honey.
Scientists from the University of Waikato, New Zealand, have also observed that it is able to prevent the development of antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
Other encouraging results followed with different bacteria, including one responsible for nosocomial infections, as well as streptococci and enterococci against which current antibiotics are inoperable.
"There are also studies on the benefits of manuka honey against the Helicobacter pylori bacterium that causes gastric ulcers," adds Carole Minker.
The only downside is that most of these studies are carried out in laboratories and there is little work in humans.
How to use it?
"There are few clinical studies, but regular use of 1 to 2 teaspoons per day during the winter months would be preventive," advises Carole Minker.
When an ENT or gastric infection is declared, however, it is necessary to absorb large quantities of it, which is difficult to recommend, otherwise you may swallow too much sugar!
Manuka honey is very healing.
All kinds of honey have a healing effect," recalls Carole Minker. This is mainly due to its strong osmolarity. »
This term means that honey attracts water. It drains lymph and plasma to the outside, causing waste and tissue debris, which cleanses the wound.
The mechanism also ensures moisture that promotes healing but does not increase bacterial growth due to the antimicrobial properties of honey.
By eliminating bacteria faster, manuka honey has a superior healing activity. "Methylglyoxal prevents bacteria from attaching to damaged tissue," adds Dr. Becker.
This key molecule also has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce edema and promote the tissue repair process. "One publication reports on the successful use of manuka honey at the Bonn hospital for the past three years to treat nosocomial skin infections," comments Carole Minker.
How to use it?
Manuka honey can be recommended as a dressing on a wound that is difficult to heal, after showing it to your doctor," she says. In this case, use a honey with a UMF of 18 or 20, clean the wound and apply a half-centimeter thick layer before applying a dressing. Change every 24 to 48 hours until improvement. »
Recent studies indicate that manuka honey improves the healing of diabetic leg and foot ulcers.
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