Used for years as a form of natural sweetener and nutritional supplement for foods and beverages, honey also has been known for its healing properties as well. Harvested much like most honey from bee farms, manuka honey is widely available both over the Internet and at many major drug stores for the use in treating a variety of different ailments.
Disinfectant
According to Dr. Peter Molan, Associate Professor in Biochemistry at the University of Waikato in New Zealand, manuka honey features a non-peroxide antibacterial quality that he refers to as the Unique Manuka Factor, or UMF. This factor was seen in studies to provide a significant level of antibacterial qualities even when introduced chemicals that are known to lessen these qualities in other solutions. This study proved that manuka honey is a rather resilient disinfectant that can withstand harsh conditions, thus leading to an increased effectiveness when applied for wound care on animals and humans.
Prevention of Stomach Ulcers
Unlike many other honey forms, the unique factor found in manuka honey can also help in the treatment and prevention of stomach ulcers. According to Dr. Molan, manuka honey has been found to inhibit, in vitro, the growth of the helicobacter pylori bacteria known to be the main cause of stomach ulcer development. Dr. Molan goes on to suggest that additional studies have also shown that "good bacteria" in the stomach is unharmed by the introduction of manuka honey during treatment, thus making the honey a fitting treatment supplement for stomach disorders.
UMF Differences in Value
According to CameronMedical.com, the level of UMF in manuka honey can differ in concentration and therefore be used for a variety of additional medical purposes. For example, honey with a value of UMF10 or below is recommended for general good health and proper digestion. Honey with values between UMF10 and UMF15 are typically used for the treatment of minor stomach irritation such as indigestion or constipation. More severe stomach issues or surgical wounds can typically be treated with honey at a value of UMF20 or higher.
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