Manuka Honey Helps Fight, Prevent Antibiotic-Resistant Superbugs From Developing

Science World Report

Sep 05, 2016

Honey is known to fight infection with its high concentration of antibacterial agents and one kind of honey, which is the most potent honey in the world is the Manuka Honey. It is obtained from the medicinal Manuka bush in New Zealand.

Many clinical trials indicate that Manuka honey can rescind over 250 strains of bacteria including the most resistant. These include the MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), the VRE (vancomycin-resistant enterococci) and the MSSA (methicillin sensitive Staphylococcus aureus).

A study, published in PLOS One, suggests that Manuka honey helps prevent antibiotic-resistant superbugs from developing when used together with antibiotics, according to UHR. It was led by researchers from the University of Technology Sydney, who used Medihoney, which is a highly absorbent seaweed soaked in medical grade, sterilized Manuka honey, to determine if this together with the antibiotic rifampicin could strengthen the antibacterial activity against MRSA and could lessen the risk of resistance. The findings showed no resistant strains of bacteria emerged. "Our findings support the idea that a combination of honey and antibiotics may be an effective new antimicrobial therapy for chronic wound infections," said the researchers.