A Guide to Honey's Health Benefits

The Beez Kneez
Herald Sun (Australia), 8/14/2006

Last month it was announced that bandages soaked in manuka honey are being given to mouth-cancer patients at an English hospital to reduce their chances of contracting the MRSA superbug and to lessen wound inflammation after surgery.

This is just the latest study investigating this type of honey's healing powers.

It is used at the hospital for dressing wounds, and other research has found it can fight gum disease, ease digestive problems and soothe sore throats...

A Guide to Manuka Honey's Other Benefits

A study published in the European Journal of Medical Research found manuka had an 85 per cent success rate - compared with 50 per cent with routine treatments - when used to treat infected caesarean and hysterectomy wounds.

Fights Gum Disease

Despite its sweetness, manuka honey has been found to disrupt three types of bacteria in the mouth which cause tooth decay.

In laboratory tests, it sharply reduced the acid levels produced by Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus sobrinus and Lactobacillus caseii. ..

Soothes Sore Throats

Manuka honey with a high UMF rating could help fight infections, such as the bacteria streptoccous pyogones, that causes sore throats.

Professor Molan found that taking a teaspoon three times a day, and keeping it in the mouth for as long as possible before swallowing, prevented most throat infections from developing to the point where a trip to the doctor is necessary.

Eases Digestive Problems

Lower UMF manuka honey can help maintain general health and good digestion.

They have helped to treat problems ranging from diarrhoea and indigestion to stomach ulcers.

A teaspoon on bread or toast three times a day can also ease acid reflux and heartburn.

Soothes Acne, Eczema and Sunburn

Trials at the University of Waikato are looking into the effects of manuka honey on acne and eczema.

It is suggested it is applied next to the skin as a face pack and left for 15 to 20 minutes before washing off. The honey is already used by many acne sufferers, and naturopaths recommend anyone prescribed antibiotics for acne to take the honey orally because it will help to balance bacteria in the intestine.

Diluted or neat manuka can also be applied to soothe sunburned skin.

Boosts Endurance

Using honey, including manuka of various UMFs, during exercise was found to be as successful at improving performance and power among athletes as specialist energy drinks.

Researchers at the exercise and sport nutrition laboratory of the University of Memphis found three to five teaspoons of honey reduced the time to complete a 64km time trial by more than three minutes and improved cycling power by 6 per cent compared to a placebo. "In the quest for that extra advantage, endurance athletes at all levels turn to carbohydrate sources, such as the many sports drinks on the market, to fuel strenuous exercise," Professor Richard Kreider, who led the study, says."We were pleased to find that honey, a cocktail of natural sugars, performed just as well."