Manuka honey has a higher level of enzymes than regular honeys. It is a product of New Zealand, renowned for its healing properties. One of the benefits of this golden honey is its ability to treat eczema. You can take it either orally or topically and the results can be amazing, as the video presenter explains.
My Notes
Researchers at the New Zealand University of Waikato discovered something special about this unique honey in 1981. They found that Manuka honey has a much higher level of enzymes than regular honeys. These enzymes also create a natural hydrogen peroxide that acts as a perfect antibacterial. In actual fact, the enzymes in Manuka make it four times more nutrient dense than most of the other honeys out there.
Look for the Unique Manuka Factor
Manuka honey is characterized by different antibacterial strengths. This is done using a rating called the Unique Manuka Factor (UMF). The UMF is important because it's a guarantee that the honey is of medicinal quality.
Manuka Honey for Treating Eczema
This honey is a natural and effective medicine for treating eczema. There are plenty of eczema sufferers with chronic dry, scaly skin that will vouch for its healing properties. Let's look at the top four reasons why Manuka honey is so effective.
- Bacteria fighting properties
- Maintains moisture
- Provides skin barrier protection
- Wound healing
Bacteria Fighting Properties
The antibacterial quality of honey varies greatly between the different types. It also depends on how the honey is harvested. Some types of honey, like Manuaka, are many times more potent than most of the others. An antibacterial agent is something that restricts the growth and breeding of bacteria. This helps to combat staph and various other topical infections that eczema sufferers experience.
Maintains Moisture
A major cause of discomfort for those with eczema is dryness, flaking and scaling. The good news is that honey is great at maintaining moisture. This obviously provides huge relief for sufferers.
Skin Barrier
Those with eczema know only too well how weak their skin barrier is. Manuka honey provides that extra barrier of protection that's desperately needed to protect the skin.
Heals Wounds
Wound healing is the most important thing of all for anyone with eczema. Broken skin is often the result of scratching dry, cracked skin. Aside from being unsightly, those red, open sores will only get worse if they're left untreated and unhealed.
Further reading of interest: Medicinal and cosmetic uses of Bee’s Honey – A review
E. R. H. S. S. Ediriweera and N. Y. S. Premarathna1
Ayu. 2012 Apr-Jun; 33(2): 178–182. | doi: 10.4103/0974-8520.105233
Summary
The healing property of Manuka honey makes it ideal for treating eczema. It has good antibacterial activity and helps to maintain a moist wound condition. Thanks to its high viscosity, the honey also helps to provide a protective barrier. This barrier is crucial as it's what prevents further infection.
There is nothing new about using honey to treat infected wounds. It is in fact an ancient remedy. What is new is that Manuka honey has been recently “rediscovered” by the medical profession. This is why there's so much talk about it in recent times. The reason for this renewed interest is because of the frustration with conventional modern medications. So many chemically concocted treatments have failed eczema sufferers.