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Manuka Honey
If you already know about the wonderful virtues of manuka
honey from New Zealand, please go straight our range of manuka
honeys
Manuka honey is gathered in New Zealand from the manuka bush,
Leptospermum scoparium, which grows uncultivated throughout
the country. Manuka honey is not only delicious to eat, but
is well known throughout the world for its remarkable healing
properties. This kind of "active" manuka honey is
identified by its UMF rating.
Note: In other parts of the world, the manuka bush is known
as jelly bush, which is also from the Leptospermum species.
Australia in particular offers jelly bush honey,
but while offering some similar properties, it's just not
the same as Manuka honey. And that's because of something
called UMF.
UMF - Unique Manuka Factor
UMF stands for Unique Manuka Factor, and refers to an antibacterial
property produced naturally by the nectar of manuka flowers.
Not all manuka honey has this property, and
those that do vary in their level of UMF activity. The UMF
standard was developed to identify that small proportion of
manuka honeys which contain the UMF healing properties, and
to what degree.
The Honey
Research Unit at The University of Waikato in New Zealand
established criteria for the scientific testing used to detect
the presence of the UMF property. Gribbles Analytical Laboratories
in Hamilton, New Zealand is the only laboratory approved to
carry out this special testing procedure.
UMF follows a rating system in which the initials UMF are
followed by a number indicating the strength of the UMF antibacterial
property, with the honey being compared with a standard reference
antiseptic (phenol) for potency. So, for example, a honey
with a UMF rating of 10 would be equivalent in antiseptic
potency to a 10% solution of phenol. In order to be suitable
for treating infections, and qualify to use the UMF name,
a batch of honey must have at least a UMF 10 rating.
Ben's Honey sells Active Manuka honey from Honey New Zealand
in strengths of 10+, 20+ and 25+.
Manuka Honey - natural antibacterial remedy
Active UMF manuka honey is often used as a natural remedy
to effective treat ailments such as stomach
ulcers (and other gastro-intestinal problems), leg ulcers
and other open wounds.
You can also buy products that mix the antibacterial properties
of manuka honey with bee venom
for natural relief from arthritis and joint pain, manuka honey
and propolis for immune system
care, and manuka honey and bee pollen
for strengthened immune system and an energy boost.
Looking for Manuca honey? You're
not alone - it's a common mis-spelling!
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