Just as the saying goes that not all are created equal, this goes for honey as well. While the benefits of raw and unprocessed honey have been known over the years, recent Australian studies have found one type of honey, known as Manuka honey, to be better than all available antibiotics.
What Makes Manuka Honey More Effective than Antibiotics?
Manuka honey is produced in New Zealand by the bees that pollinate the native manuka bush or bees that forage on the nectar of Leptospermum Scoparium. It helps treat wound infections and other conditions.
This amazing type of honey not only kills bacteria, but none of the bugs it killed have been able to build up immunity. We all known that some antibiotics are failing against antibiotic-resistant superbugs, but Manuka honey may well hold the key to fighting resistance issues.
Researchers noted that antibiotics does not only have short shelf lives, but the bacteria it attacks quickly become resistant as well, which makes them useless over time.
The study, which was published in the European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, noted that Manuka honey killed almost every pathogen and bacteria it was tested on. As compared to the antibiotics available on today’s market, none of the bugs tested were able to survive the honey treatment.
According to the researchers, there are particular compounds, such as methylglyoxal present in the Manuka honey that cause multi-system failure in the bacteria. Therefore killing the bacteria before they are able to adapt and build up immunity.
Benefits of Manuka Honey:
1. Antibiotic and Anti-bacterial Properties
Since ancient times, honey has been use as a topical treatment for wounds and other skin infections. Studies into the healing properties of Manuka honey has established it to be a powerful antibacterial agent.
Manuka honey has been known to have 100 times more MG than other conventional honey and effective against 60 species of bacteria.
2. Digestive Health
If you are feeling bloated taking Manuka honey can help in a variety of issues, including acid reflux, bloating, stomach ulcers, indigestion and irritable bowel syndrome. You can stir it into a mug of hot water or tea to soothe your pain.
3. Fights Tooth Decay and Gingivitis
Several studies have have shown that Manuka honey can help cure periodontal disease and gingivitis. Due to its superior antimicrobial properties, the researchers from the School of Dentistry, University of Otago have discovered that sucking or chewing on Manuka honey caused a 35% decrease in plaque and led to a 35% reduction in bleeding sites in individuals suffering from gingivitis. Also zinc, calcium and phosphorus are all important nutrients for healing teeth.
4. Improves Sleep
Manuka Honey helps in promoting better sleep. This is due to its compound glycogen, which is needed for important bodily functions during sleep.
You can add honey to your milk at bedtime to help the body release melatonin into the brain. This is necessary for deep sleep.
5. Lower Cholesterol
Studies have shown that by substituting sugar to honey, women can help lower their LDL cholesterol. You can take Manuka honey for added benefits.
6. Treatment of Burns and Wounds
Several studies have shown that Manuka honey is effective in shortening the healing time of mild wounds and burns. It may be also be effective in fighting some infections and promotes overall healing.
It is important to remember that when an infection occur, medical grade honey, with impurities removed, is used. At home treatment is not recommended for serious burns for wounds.
Nutrition Facts of Manuka Honey:
Manuka honey is said to contain 4 times the nutritional content of conventional honey. Below is a nutrition profile of raw unfiltered honey:
- Amino acids
- B vitamins (thiamin, B6, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid)