Honey is one of Nature’s miracles, and despite the incredibly delicious taste, it offers countless health benefits. Honey offers powerful antibacterial properties, but one of the most powerful types of honey is Manuka honey.
It is a product from the honey bees that feed on the manuka tree and has a unique, dark brown color and stronger medicinal properties than regular honey. Raw honey has been used by all ancient civilizations, especially in the treatment of wounds and infections, due to the strong disinfectant properties.
According to Dr. Josh Axe, DC, DMN, CNS:
“Manuka honey benefits have been touted in the natural health world for a long time and even more in recent years because a growing body of research is starting to support thousands of years of folk medicine use. Some of the top Manuka honey uses are and benefits include:
- Helps with SIBO, Low Stomach Acid, Acid Reflux
- May Help Treat Acne and Eczema
- Combats Staph Infections (MRSA)
- Treats Burns, Wounds, and Ulcers
- Prevents Tooth Decay and Gingivitis
- Aids IBS and IBD Treatment
- Improves Sore Throats and Immunity
- Helps Allergies
- Beauty Treatment and Health Booster
- Improves Sleep”
Manuka honey has been found to inhibit more than 60 different species of bacteria, viruses, and fungus, and it is high in antioxidants and natural compounds like peptides, phenolics, organic acids and enzymes.
The potent antibacterial qualities of Manuka honey are also a result of the high acidity level, due to the significant amounts of naturally occurring hydrogen peroxide. Manuka honey has been found to destroy Staphylococcus aureus, or staph infections, as well as Helicobacter pylori, a stomach bacteria linked to stomach cancer.
Scientists are growingly concerned about antimicrobial resistance, as the repeated process of coming up with new antibiotic drugs to destroy previously drug-resistant microbial strains will result in “superbugs”. These superbugs will eventually become resistant to all antibiotics, so they need to be fought off with the help of natural antibiotics.
Manuka honey is believed to be the possible alternative. Experts emphasize its antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties, and studies have shown that these strains do not become resistant to manuka honey over time.
Therefore, Manuka honey can be used as a natural topical and oral antibiotic. It can be applied to scrapes, wounds, scratches, and infected areas, and is also effective if taken orally in the treatment of stomach and bowel infections.
