Manuka Honey And Wound Care

Many reports indicate that Manuka Honey is an extremely effective first aid resource for cuts, grazes, gashes, burns and other wounds.

Derived from the nectar of the flowers that grow on the Manuka tree, native to New Zealand, Manuka Honey is gaining ever increasing worldwide recognition for its healing properties. There are many ways in which Manuka Honey can be used, particularly for topical use on the skin. There is growing anecdotal evidence that Manuka Honey is effective for therapeutic use, even against antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria such as MRSA. Manuka Honey has shown great promise in the treatment of wounds, leg ulcers and burns.

The use of Manuka Honey for wound care is the area receiving the most attention from researchers. It is important to know that all honey has some antibacterial activity that is effective in the treatment of wounds, primarily due to the presence of hydrogen peroxide. The additional healing properties found in bio-active Manuka Honey (such as UMF and methylglyoxal) make it even more suitable for medical use. Not only can Manuka Honey destroy existing bacteria in an infected wound, but it also creates a protective barrier over the wound area, preventing more bacteria from entering.

With the range of antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins, trace elements and sugar, Manuka Honey has a positive nutrient effect on newly regenerating tissue in a healing wound. Equally important in regard to new tissue growth in wounds, is the process of changing dressings. Wound dressings containing Manuka Honey create a moist healing environment that prevents direct contact between the dressing and newly formed tissue so that damage or disturbance to it is reduced from the changing of dressings.

More serious wounds such as Leg ulcers are a frustrating occurrence that can detrimentally affect mobility if worsened. The same healing properties that make Manuka Honey effective for the treatment of wounds also apply to leg ulcers. There are many anecdotal reports indicating that active Manuka Honey is effective in treating leg ulcers that were not responding to conventional treatments. It has also been noted that Manuka Honey is successful at reducing the malodor associated with leg ulcers and chronic wounds.

Manuka Honey’s effectiveness in healing and preventing infection is also helpful for the treatment of burns. A reduction of pain associated with burns has also been reported, due to the anti-inflammatory properties present in Manuka Honey. As part of Manuka Honey's ability to keep a wound area moist and its positive nutrient effect on tissue regeneration, it also helps to reduce scarring by lifting scabs and dead tissue, allowing the burn or wound to heal flush with the surface of the skin.

If the idea of using honey on your skin is not desirable, there is a viable solution. A company called Honeymark has developed a line of skin care products containing UMF Active Manuka Honey as a healing agent. "Honeymark products take the sticky mess out of applying Manuka Honey directly to wounds or other skin conditions," says Frank Buonanotte, CEO of Honeymark International. "In addition to medical-grade active Manuka Honey, there are also other helpful ingredients in our products that gives you the edge over using plain Manuka Honey to treat a wound or burn."