(NaturalNews) Recent articles on NaturalNews by Stephanie Whited and Celina Cook discuss bacteria infections that are resistant to drugs, see (http://www.NaturalNews.com/022276.html) and (http://www.NaturalNews.com/022281.html) respectively. Whited points out there are a number of natural foods, including honey, as well as herbs that people may use to overcome such infections. What is really interesting is how the medical profession is dealing with certain drug resistant infections – using a certain type of honey.
Dr. Molan reports on the antimicrobial properties of honey, at ((http://www.worldwidewounds.com/2001/nov...) , which has been rediscovered by the medical profession where conventional drugs are failing. Honey inhibits a range of bacteria and has anti-fungal properties.
Interestingly, not all honey is the same as Aristotle and Dioscorides pointed out thousands of years ago, and as discovered by Brenda Mossel, Bruce D’Arcy, Bob Wallace and Craig Davis of the Honey Research Unit at the University of Queensland. They have been researching the antimicrobial properties of Australian honey against Staphylococcus aureus (which is a bacteria resistant to antibiotics), and found that not all the honeys have this property.
All honeys will stop the growth of bacteria but the effectiveness of doing so is limited to at least 2 tested honeys. Manuka honey from the manuka bush in New Zealand (Leptospermum scoparium) and a honey from Australia, Leptospermum polygalifolium.
These two honeys have been tested for antibacterial activity and have a property found only in honey from the Leptospermum plants. This property is called the “unique manuka factor” (UMF) which produces a more potent antibacterial action.
This property also makes the honey more stable and active in all situations, unlike other honeys whose effectiveness is reduced under certain conditions.
The honey with UMF properties has been used successfully in wound dressings in New Zealand, and in a large hospital in Brisbane, Australia, where honey without UMF failed.
As a dressing, UMF honey reduces inflammation, swelling, and pain quickly; this healing occurs much faster in conditions where standard antibiotic and antiseptic treatment was not working. Another benefit is that while antiseptics cause tissue damage, honey doesn’t and additionally, honey promotes healing.
According to information released by the Honey Research Unit at the University of Waikato, there are many reports of Staphylococcus being completely inhibited by UMF honey.
In addition to antimicrobial properties, honey is also an antioxidant containing flavanoids with anti-carcinogenic and anti-inflammatory properties. However, it is now clear that these properties may not exist in all honeys in all conditions, so we need to be choosy about our honey.
Research is needed to discover the properties of a wider variety of honeys and comparative studies, on the healing effectiveness of these honeys, are needed. Dr. Molan reports that from a theoretical point of view, there are good reasons to choose honey with a UMF factor of 10 or higher (a rating based on the level of antibacterial activity).
As well as wounds, UMF honey has been used in treating gastroenteritis, ulcers and colds, and has been promoted for use in digestional health.
For further information about the health benefits of honey, or how honey is used as a wound dressing, see the links given here:
((http://www.uq.edu.au/~gabdarcy/honey/ho...)
(http://bio.waikato.ac.nz/honey/)
About the authorLynn Berry loves good food and cooking and is passionate about nutrition and natural health care. She has a website promoting healthy eating at www.low-calorie-vegetarian-recipe.com.
###
Related Articles
• The healing power of honey: From burns to weak bones, raw honey can help
• Planning to Lose Weight This Year? Supplement With Honey
• Debating Honey: Symbiotic Food or Unnatural Poison?
• The Truth About Honeybees Provide Clues to Their Disappearance
• Dark "honeydew" honey contains more antioxidants than light honey
 |
Additional Resources:
honey
bacteria
superbugs
|
Take Action: Support NaturalNews.com
 Email this article to a friend
 Share this article on: NewsVine | digg | del.icio.us
Permalink to this article: http://www.NaturalNews.com/022430.html
Reprinting this article: Non-commercial OK, cite NaturalNews.com with clickable link.
|
 |
 |
Receive our Natural Health Newsletter for FREE
 Subscribe now (it's free!) to win. We randomly choose a subscriber each month to send $100 in eco-home products or a RealGoods.com gift certificate (our choice). Plus, you'll receive FREE news, articles and action alerts from NaturalNews.com editors and join over 800,000 monthly readers who report extraordinary health improvements after becoming a subscriber!
- Receive breaking news alerts on natural health solutions, renewable energy, the environment, global warming and more.
- Receive a free instant download of our $29 Secret Sources guide that reveals top sources for little-known health and diet solutions.
|
|
 |
 |
Recommended Special Report:
 Seven Words that can Change the World
by Joseph R. Simonetta
Read this special report now...
"Seven Words That Can Change the World reveals the astonishing, simple truths that have the power to forever transform our world for the better while freeing our minds from the enslavement of limiting beliefs. This is not a text for the simple-minded; it is a guiding philosophy for the mindful, intelligent few who are wise enough to seek out -- and recognize -- the higher simplicities of truly purposeful living." - Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, editor of NaturalNews.com
|
More on NaturalNews.com:
• Streaming Health Ranger Videos
• CounterThink Cartoons
• FREE Special Reports
• Podcasts
|
 |
|
 |
 |
NEW 6-CD audio set reveals amazing new protocol for reversing cancer, diabetes, obesity, heart disease and more. Click to learn more. |
 |
Own the first 8 Health Ranger Report audio programs on 6 CDs. Covers weight loss, ADHD, vaccinations, processed meats, bone health and more. Click to learn more. |
Featured Videos
Short clip on Aspartame
A short clip on aspartame from the documentary All Jacked Up.
Click here to view now...
Exclusive video on Aspartame
The dangers of aspartame! Exclusive interview footage from Cori Brackett of Sweet Remedy.
Click here to view now...
Exclusive Footage from All Jacked Up!
See interview footage featuring the Health Ranger in the upcoming junk food film, All Jacked Up.
Click here to view now...
Drug Ad Parody
See the Health Ranger's satire parody of Merck's cholesterol drug ad.
Click here to view now... |
Meet the Hospital Staph
The Corn Ethanol Biofuels Sham
The Plan for the Food Supply
|
|
Read recommendations on supplement companies, health food manufacturers and personal care product makers that you can trust. Our 100% independent review list tells you who to trust and who to avoid in the natural health industry. Click to read. |
|
Printable Version
