Manuka Honey Is Effective in Treating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria

(NaturalHealth365) You may already know that honey is a delicious, more nutritious alternative to sugar and artificial sweeteners. However, did you know that Manuka honey – in particular – can fight off infections, as a potent ally against harmful bacteria?

This special type of honey has been shown to minimize the threat of infections while also helping us to avoid the perils of antibiotic resistance – which continues to develop due to the overuse of antibiotics. Researchers are excited to find that this natural cure can in many cases kill bacteria even more effectively than the antibiotics prescribed by doctors.

Manuka honey is only produced in New Zealand

Manuka honey is produced by bees that pollinate the manuka bush. This bush is native to New Zealand, and the manuka flower nectar contains some key compounds that help manuka honey to gain its healing properties. Other kinds of honey have germ killing properties as well; however, they are the most potent and concentrated in manuka honey from New Zealand.

The healing properties of manuka honey have been appreciated by cultures in New Zealand for centuries. It’s been used as a topical treatment to fight infection, ease pain and speed wound and burn healing for generations, and now science is uncovering the reasons why it’s so effective.

Compounds in manuka honey fight bacteria on multiple levels

This potent variety of honey works to fight infection on numerous levels. Because of this, it is harder for bacteria to become resistant to manuka honey.

One of the main effects of manuka honey is that it induces dehydration, and bacteria cannot survive in its presence. Manuka honey embodies the effects of a high sugar concentration, high acidity, hydrogen peroxide content, its osmotic effect, and its content of polyphenols.

Scientists have also found evidence that cell division in bacteria is interrupted by its antibacterial components, even against severe infections like MSRA and enlarged cells that contain septa.

Manuka honey also counteracts antibiotic resistance

What’s even better is that manuka honey is effective against bacteria that had already built up antibiotic resistance. The effects of manuka honey were found to be superior to the antibacterial effect of pharmaceuticals. The fact that antibiotic resistance is not triggered is obviously a tremendous incentive to use this type of natural antibiotic instead of one made in a lab.

Manuka honey also seems to hinder the ability of bacteria to attach to tissues and proliferate during acute infections. The creation of biofilms is also blocked, so that bacteria cannot protect itself and continue to spread. Other studies have shown that manuka honey can even reverse some cases of antibiotic resistance.

Buy manuka honey from a trusted, verified source

Manuka honey is effective in treating infected surface wounds, burns, ulcers, and infections like E. coli, salmonella, S. aureus and enterobacter aerogenes, streptococci, and more. Manuka honey is so effective, even some hospitals are starting to use it.

You can buy manuka honey for your home – just be careful to do your homework to ensure that you are buying true manuka honey, as it is expensive and the market is prone to fraud. Look for 10 UMF (unique manuka factor) or above manuka honey, and purchase it from a trusted vendor.

References:

http://cid.oxfordjournals.org/content/46/11/1677.full

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21903658

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3609166

http://www.dermasciences.com/medihoney

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110412201713.htm