Honey produced from a native plant of New Zealand is being used as an ingredient in wound care products and is outperforming antibiotics in clearing infection and destroying bacteria. Researchers have established that some types of honey can promote wound healing including Staph infections, leg ulcers, pressure soars and burns. Honey has been used as a therapeutic ointment in folk medicine for many years. However, recent studies have begun to explore the biochemical mechanisms which are involved in using honey for medicinal purposes. Manuka Honey is a particular type of honey that is produced from bees that feed upon flowers that grow on the native tea trees in New Zealand (Leptospermum plant). This honey has been proven to have the most antibacterial properties, more so than other honeys.

Honey derived from the Leptospermum plant is now believed to have healing properties that far supercede the healing qualities of other types of honey and in some cases, even antibiotics. Manuka Honey has specific curative powers and contains extremely potent antibacterial properties. Honey helps to keep a wound moist, which makes the wound heal faster. However, a moist environment also promotes bacterial growth which is why only Manuka Honey should be used for wound care. Standard honey is only slightly antibacterial. The high sugar content in honey binds to the water molecules, denying bacteria the moisture that they require to grow.

The main antibacterial component in honey is hydrogen peroxide which is produced by the enzyme, glucose oxidase. Bees add this enzyme when making the honey from the nectar of flowers. In standard honey not produced from Leptospermum, the antibacterial effect of hydrogen peroxide is limited by the fact that the body has an enzyme which breaks it down rapidly. Manuka Honey is stable and does not lose its effectiveness when diluted by wound fluids.

In addition to hydrogen peroxide, there is an additional antibacterial property found in Manuka Honey that has become known as the Unique Manuka Factor or UMF. This additional antibacterial component is not broken down the way hydrogen peroxide is which makes it more effective in destroying bacteria. Additionally, UMF is able to penetrate deep into the depths of skin tissue making it possible to reach deep-seated infections. Manuka Honey also stimulates white blood cells, quickens the healing process and reduces scarring while its natural anti-inflammatory properties helps reduce pain.

Manuka Honey is now being considered an extremely important factor in the fight against antibiotic-resistant organisms. Even when diluted, Manuka Honey is still capable of inhibiting the growth of drug-resistant staph aureus. This gives Manuka Honey a competitive edge over conventional antibiotics.

"Manuka Honey can eradicate E. coli, Salmonella, VRE, Helicobacter pylori and even kill antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria including the hospital-associated superbug, MRSA," says Frank Buonanotte, CEO of Honeymark International, a manufacturer of health care products that utilizes Manuka Honey as main ingredient. "In addition to having strong antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, Manuka Honey has been found to have no known side effects, making it an amazing natural resource."