Manuka Honey Research

The last few decades a lot of research on the benefits of Manuka honey has been done. Pioneers and front runner is the Waikato University Honey Research Unit. This unit was established in 1995 but the research already started in the 1980's.

The world renowned professor Molan leads the Honey Research Unit and is accountable for many extremely useful discoveries. Did you for example know that some batches of Manuka honey are that potent that this honey can cure antibiotic resistant bacteria and even the so called superbug MRSA.

The focus of the lot of the studies has been (and is) on wounds, ulcers and infections. To be more precise on strains fungal species which for example cause athletes foot or ringworm, of streptococci that cause sore throats, and microbial and bacterial species that cause infections and other ailments.

But there's more, research on several ailments in cattle and farm animals and more has been done and still continues. Visit the Honey Research Unit for more info.

Manuka Honey | the Healing Honey of the Tea Tree

Captain James Cook (1728 – 1779) discovered and explored New Zealand in the year 1769. It was then he got aware of the Manuka bush. Because of its resemblance to tea bushes he already knew, and because the Maori people brew a medicinal tea from the Manuka tree leaves, Cook referred to it as the tea tree. This name is still used today besides the scientific name which is; Leptospermum scoparium. There are three species of the Manuka bush and a variety of cultivars are often found in gardens.

Captain Cook wrote about this plant in his book: 'A Voyage Towards the South Pole and Round the World'
"the leaves were used by many of us as a tea which has a very agreeable bitter taste and flavour when they are recent but loses some of both when they are dried. When the infusion was made strong it proved emetic (induced vomiting) to some in the same manner as ‘green tea’"

Since earliest times in New Zealand, the Maori people have used the Manuka plant as part of their traditional medicine. Various parts of the plant are used to treat burns, wounds, skin disorders, colds, fevers and digestive ailments.

"This Healing Honey of the Tea Tree" possesses strong antimicrobial properties and powerful antibacterial agents.

What is Manuka Honey?

Active Manuka honey comes from certain parts of New Zealand from bees who feed on the Manuka tree or bush. Leptospermum Scoparium is the Latin name for this bush but the Maori called it Manuka.

This unique natural product is known for its extraordinary and powerful health benefits. Manuka honey has and antimicrobial and antibacterial activities which no other type of food in the world has. The Maori have used the Manuka plant with its delicate white-purple flowers for ages as a medicine.

Normal honey is known for its possession of hydrogen peroxide. Genuine Manuka honey differs from normal honey because of the additional existence of non-peroxide antibacterial activity. This additional activity is called the UMF factor. Meaning the Unique Manuka Factor.

Not only has Manuka honey healing properties that can't be found in other honeys but clinical trials show Manuka honey is more effective than conventional medications and is used effectively for treating all kinds of complaints.