Apicare Manuka Honey UMF12 500gm
Uses: See our lemon honey drink on the front page!
Add to baking, porridge or your toast :)
Manuka Honey is unique to New Zealand. The nectar is collected by the bees from the flower of the indigenous Manuka tree. Research at Waikato University has shown that Active Manuka Honey has increased levels of anti-bacterial activity when compared with other varieties of honey.
Manuka Honey has tested as having a much higher level of activity, up to many tens of times greater than the other honeys tested. The term Active or UMF is used to indicate that the honey has been tested for increased anti-bacterial activity and then rated as to the strength of that activity. All Manuka honey used by Honey & Herbs (N.Z.) Ltd is independently laboratory tested and certified as Active.
What makes it Special?
There are a number of reasons for the antibacterial activity of honey. The high sugar content of all honey means there are few water molecules available, making it difficult for micro-organisms to establish, and the generally low pH is enough to inhibit many animal pathogens. The primary reason for anti-bacterial activity in most honeys is the release of hydrogen peroxide in a slow release manner by the enzyme glucose oxidase when honey is diluted. However, this Hydrogen Peroxide can be broken down by heat and light, and may also be broken down by the human catalase enzyme as it fights infection.
Manuka Honey has additional non-peroxide antibacterial components which are much more stable and have been called the Unique Manuka Factor. The non-peroxide activity is due to the combined action of methylglyoxal (MGO) and another as yet unidentified synergistic component. This unique manuka factor is present in full strength active manuka honey, which provides a more potent anti-bacterial action and diffuses deeper into skin tissues than the hydrogen peroxide effect from other types of honey.
Manuka Honey can be tested for its level of non-peroxide activity and issued with a number to indicate how active it is. So, a rating of 10 indicates the same level of antiseptic potency of a 10% solution of Phenol (Carbolic Disinfectant). The higher the rating, the higher the activity and therefore the greater the healing ability
