Prevent MRSA With Manuka Honey

50 Connect, 8/5/2006

Worried about MRSA? Ask for honey dressings, now available on the NHS.
A product now available on the NHS prevents MRSA, but why hasn't it received more publicity?...

The risks of MRSA are well publicised, but the same cannot be said for a preventative measure, now available on the NHS and over-the-counter. UMF® Manuka Honey dressings kill MRSA, something many of our strongest antibiotics cannot do.

Professor Molan is one of the world’s leading authorities on the use of Manuka honey in wound care. He has conducted numerous clinical trials that document the success of Manuka Honey in killing MRSA and treating various other bacterial infections associated with open wounds and ulcers at New Zealand’s Waikato Hospital.

We spoke to Professor Molan to find out how these honey dressings work and what action patients can take to prevent MRSA.

"MRSA is basically an antibiotic-resistant form of a very common bacteria that lives on your skin and normally, doesn't cause you any harm. Certainly, if it lands on an open wound it can cause an infection, but generally, your body can fight the infection itself."

"This antibiotic-resistant strain of bacteria has bred itself to be so in response to our over-use of antibiotics. Some strains are resistant to all but one antibiotic and that has to be taken intravenously. In some cases, MRSA can even be resistant to that which is why it is potentially dangerous for people whose immune system isn't at it's strongest, such as the elderly, infirm or those who have major surgery. In cases where they have stopped ussing antibiotics in hospitals, the infection rate decreases so when hospitals frequently use antibiotics, they are just left with these resistant strains of bacteria."

Dr Molan has been conducting numerous clinical studies on the effectiveness of UMF® Manuka Honey against MRSA and it's additional health benefits. UMF stands for 'Unique Manuka Factor,' an acronym chosen because of it's similarity to SPF (Sun Protection Factor) on sunscreen. Although any honey can help treat burns or minor wounds, Manuka honey is the only honey with the ability to kill antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria because it contains a unique type of antibacterial activity.

"All honey, including Manuka honey, contains hydrogen peroxide which is produced when the bees add an enzyme to the nectar. Hydrogen peroxide is an acid, but because of the enzyme, it's produced continuously in the honey and at fairly low levels. This means the hydrogen peroxide can be effective against bacteria, but is not at high enough levels to cause harm to the tissues of the body."…