Manuka Honey - An Effective Natural Antibacterial Agent
Given the increasing popularity of organic foods and the rising concern about products genetically modified organisms, it is not surprising to see a line of skin care products created with totally natural ingredients.
Such is the case of the Manuka products from Manu Nutraceuticals in New Zealand.
Their primary active ingredient comes from the New Zealand Tea Tree (Leptospermum scoparium) a bush known locally as the Manuka plant.
The aboriginal Maori people of New Zealand, who have lived in the area for perhaps 1000 years, recognized that the Manuka tea tree plant could be used for its therapeutic and healing properties.
For example, they used the leaves and back of the Manuka bush to treat colds, fever, digestive ailments, burns and other wounds.
Although early settlers in New Zealand also appreciated that many of their local plants had useful medicinal properties, it was not until the 1980s when scientists started studying the properties of the essential oil of the Manuka plant.
They discovered it was remarkably effective as an anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agent.
In a separate study, a professor of biochemistry in New Zealand was doing a study on whether local honey could be utilized for antimicrobial properties.
He discovered that honey collected from the flowers of the Manuka bush had antibacterial properties significantly different from other kinds of honey.
It was particularly effective against bacteria that were resistant to many other antibiotics.
This compound, which occurs in some but not all kinds of Manuka honey, has been given the name of the Unique Manuka Factor (UMF).
There have not been any strains of harmful bacteria found that were able to resist the antibacterial power of UMF Manuka honey.
For this reason, UMF Manuka honey is now being used for such medical applications as treating infected wounds and against skin ulcers.
It is also being taken for upset stomachs, sore throats, stimulation of the immune system and assisting in the prevention of dehydration.
Skin care products made with Manuka oil are being used to treat such disorders as acne, eczema, herpes, athlete's foot, yeast infection, scabies, insect stings, nail fungus, strep throat, candida and psoriasis.
There are also soaps, massage oils and skin cleansers and toners that are made with the New Zealand Manuka tree oils and Manuka honey.
It seems ironic to many observers that, in today's age of high technology, scientific research, and the creation of new products out of artificial ingredients, that simple, natural organic ingredients such as Manuka tea tree oil and the honey made from the flowers of the Manuka bush have proven to be some of the most powerful and effective medicinal treatments against health and wellness disorders that have plagued mankind since earliest times.
Such is the case of the Manuka products from Manu Nutraceuticals in New Zealand.
Their primary active ingredient comes from the New Zealand Tea Tree (Leptospermum scoparium) a bush known locally as the Manuka plant.
The aboriginal Maori people of New Zealand, who have lived in the area for perhaps 1000 years, recognized that the Manuka tea tree plant could be used for its therapeutic and healing properties.
For example, they used the leaves and back of the Manuka bush to treat colds, fever, digestive ailments, burns and other wounds.
Although early settlers in New Zealand also appreciated that many of their local plants had useful medicinal properties, it was not until the 1980s when scientists started studying the properties of the essential oil of the Manuka plant.
They discovered it was remarkably effective as an anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agent.
In a separate study, a professor of biochemistry in New Zealand was doing a study on whether local honey could be utilized for antimicrobial properties.
He discovered that honey collected from the flowers of the Manuka bush had antibacterial properties significantly different from other kinds of honey.
It was particularly effective against bacteria that were resistant to many other antibiotics.
This compound, which occurs in some but not all kinds of Manuka honey, has been given the name of the Unique Manuka Factor (UMF).
There have not been any strains of harmful bacteria found that were able to resist the antibacterial power of UMF Manuka honey.
For this reason, UMF Manuka honey is now being used for such medical applications as treating infected wounds and against skin ulcers.
It is also being taken for upset stomachs, sore throats, stimulation of the immune system and assisting in the prevention of dehydration.
Skin care products made with Manuka oil are being used to treat such disorders as acne, eczema, herpes, athlete's foot, yeast infection, scabies, insect stings, nail fungus, strep throat, candida and psoriasis.
There are also soaps, massage oils and skin cleansers and toners that are made with the New Zealand Manuka tree oils and Manuka honey.
It seems ironic to many observers that, in today's age of high technology, scientific research, and the creation of new products out of artificial ingredients, that simple, natural organic ingredients such as Manuka tea tree oil and the honey made from the flowers of the Manuka bush have proven to be some of the most powerful and effective medicinal treatments against health and wellness disorders that have plagued mankind since earliest times.
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