| Honey has been used for medicinal purposes for | | | | antibacterial activity. The UMF rating can range |
| thousands of years. The Ancient Egyptians and | | | | from UMF 5. Equal to 5% solution in water of the |
| Greeks treated sores with it and soldiers in the | | | | standard anticeptic carbolic or phenol. to UMF 30- |
| Second World War wrapped bandages in it to heal | | | | 305 solution. |
| their wounds. Today honey can be found in | | | | UMF 10 to UMF 15 can be used to ease heartburn |
| wound dressings,creams and lozenges,tablets and | | | | and diarrhoea. In tests, UMF was found to inhibit |
| in a jar. | | | | the growth of the bacteria H. pylori, believed to |
| Manuka honey, made from the flowers of the | | | | cause stomach ulcers. As well as taking it |
| manuka bush (Leptospermum scoparium) found | | | | internally, steralised munaka honey can be applied |
| only in New Zealand, contains ingredients that | | | | topically, either neat or in cream form to soothe |
| scientists believe boost its antibacterial properties. | | | | eczema. dermatitis, acne and sunburn. Studies |
| It has been licensed for use in the United | | | | show manuka's antibacterial properties fight the S. |
| Kingdoms National Health Service hospitals after | | | | pyogenes bacteria, which causes sore throats. A |
| Christie's Hospital in Manchester trialled the use of | | | | teaspoon kept in the mouth until it dissolves, |
| honey under dressings of post operative wounds, | | | | three times a day is an effective cure for sore |
| to fight the MRSA superbug in mouth and throat | | | | throats. |
| cancer patients in 2004. | | | | A study published in the European Journal of |
| All honey contains hydrogen peroxide, a | | | | Medical Research in 2003 claimed manuka honey |
| disinfectant once used to clean wounds in | | | | used under dressings on post operative wounds |
| hospitals. It is produced from the glucose oxidase | | | | had an 85% success rate in clearing up infections |
| enzyme that bees add to nectar. But a unique | | | | compared with 50% for normal antibiotic creams. |
| active chemical compound, methylglyoxal, gives | | | | It was also found that the wounds of MRSA |
| manuka more antibacterial activity than other | | | | victims treated with dressings impregnated with |
| honeys. The Unique Manuka Factor(UMF) indicates | | | | manuka honey cleared up quickly. |