New Zealand's lucrative manuka honey export industry is
under threat from a cheaper Scottish alternative that scientists say boasts
even greater medicinal powers.
Heather honey, cultivated by bees buzzing around the
Scottish Highlands, is even more effective than manuka honey when it comes to
battling bacteria, a new UK study has found.
Researchers conclude that importing manuka from the other
side of the world is "unnecessary" when local sources are available.
The thoroughly-researched manuka is the world's only medical
grade honey.
Its anti-bacterial properties are widely used in veterinary
medicine as a wound dressing.
But a Scottish researcher and equine surgeon, has just
released findings of a study he launched to find out what other honey could be
used as anti-bacterial wound dressings.
"Honey helps to promote healing, cleaning the wound and
keeping it infection free," said Dr Patrick Pollock of University of
Glasgow.
"Although Manuka has been the most studied honey source
to date, other honey sources may have valuable antimicrobial properties too.
"If vets were able to use locally-sourced, cheaper
honey as a wound dressing, it would be very beneficial, particularly in poorer
countries."…
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