Manuka Honey, what is it all about?

New Zealand honey derived from the Manuka tea tree is proving to be one of the most valued natural resources in the world because of its medicinal qualities and its ability to successfully treat many health conditions, both internally and topically on the skin.

Manuka Honey is produced by bees that use the nectar from the flowers of a particular plant that is indigenous to New Zealand (leptospermum scoparium). Many reports suggest that this unique type of honey contains extraordinary healing properties not found in other types of honey or even some medicines. It has been determined that Manuka Honey's curative properties are largely due to the presence of certain compounds such as a substance known as methylglyoxal, UMF and other floral nectar components from the Manuka plant.

Manuka honey is distinctively flavored, darker and richer in taste than other types of honey and has powerful antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. The finest quality Manuka honey with the most potent antimicrobial properties is produced from beehives placed in wild, uncultivated areas with abundant growth of Manuka bushes.

When taken internally, Manuka Honey has been used to treat conditions such as stomach ulcers, strep throat, acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome, gastritis and other gastrointestinal complications. It has even proven effective in relieving sore throats, stomach aches, and cold/flu symptoms. For internal conditions, it is recommended that a teaspoon of Manuka honey be taken about a half hour before meals. Anecdotal studies have shown that this treatment modality can be more effective than most traditional forms of medicine.

When used topically on the skin, Manuka honey has been used to treat acne, wounds, bacterial and fungal infections, burns, eczema and other forms of dermatitis. Among Manuka honey's many accolades is its ability to eradicate the MRSA bacterium which is responsible for causing antibiotic-resistant Staph infections. For topical applications, Manuka honey should be applied directly to affected areas. To avoid stickiness, it is recommended to use skin care products containing Manuka Honey. New York-based manufacturer, Honeymark, has developed non-sticky Manuka Honey applications.

"Manuka Honey has many uses as a natural healing agent and is becoming very popular as a viable alternative to antibiotics and other traditional forms of medication," says Frank Buonanotte, CEO of Honeymark International. "It frequently outperforms medicine without the risk of negative side effects. Those who are unfamiliar with Manuka honey will begin to hear a lot more of it in the future. It's the next generation of natural healing."

In order to take advantage of all that Manuka Honey has to offer, it is recommend that a potency of UMF 10 or higher is used. For more information or to purchase Manuka Honey products, call 1-866-427-7329 or visit www.HoneymarkProducts.com.

Quotation Source : Honeymark products

Understanding Medical Grade Manuka Honey 

Manuka Honey has become world renowned for its unparalleled healing ability. The following is important information that you should know before buying Manuka Honey.

Honey had been used for medical purposes for thousands of years, prior to the advent of modern-day medicine. Honey's medicinal qualities are attributed to the presence of hydrogen peroxide, low acidity levels, osmotic action and floral nectar components.

There are many different types of honey. The differences are predicated on the floral nectar used by the bees that produced the honey. Manuka Honey from New Zealand is used for medicinal purposes because it contains more healing properties than any other type of honey. However, not all Manuka Honey is suitable for medical use.

Manuka Honey's antibacterial potency varies from batch-to-batch. The only way to know for sure whether a particular batch of Manuka Honey is of medical grade quality, it must be laboratory tested. This is the responsibility of the company that is packaging the honey.

The only honey that should be used for medical purposes is active UMF Manuka Honey. UMF is an acronym for Unique Manuka Factor and is followed by a number which indicates the antibacterial strength of the Manuka Honey. UMF is the authorized seal and registered trademark of the Active Manuka Honey Industry in New Zealand. It can only be applied to the of honey with a laboratory test result of UMF 10 or higher (which is equivalent to 10% phenol). Results obtained from 50% dilution (low acidity test) can not be used for claiming UMF activity.

In New Zealand, Manuka Honey production is regulated by the Active Manuka Honey Industry. The UMF trademark can only be used by UMF licensed suppliers who meet set criteria which include regular monitoring and auditing of the quality of their honey. UMF Manuka Honey from a New Zealand supplier that is licensed to use the UMF trademark is the only honey guaranteed to have the special UMF healing properties and be of the same medical-grade quality that is referred to in research studies and clinical trials.

When the UMF trademark is listed on the label of a Manuka Honey jar, it is a guarantee that the Manuka Honey has the special UMF antibacterial property to the level indicated on the label (i.e. UMF 16). This guarantee only applies to honey that comes from New Zealand suppliers that are licensed to use the UMF trademark.

Genuine UMF Manuka Honey must comply with the following criteria:

• It has the UMF trademark clearly stated on the front label.
  
• It is packed into jars and labelled in New Zealand.
  
• It is from a New Zealand supplier licensed to use the UMF trademark.
  
• It has the supplier's license number on the label.
  
• It has a rating of UMF10 or higher.
  

If Manuka Honey meets the above listed criteria, it is guaranteed to be active, medical-grade Manuka Honey that is suitable for therapeutic use. If not, the antibacterial potency of the Manuka Honey is questionable.

Quotation Source : Honeymark Products

Manuka Honey - Tasty Medicine From New Zealand
By Mark Kerwin

Modern science is often very slow to recognize the ancient, tried and true wisdom from the ages. More often than not, science has scoffed at the folk remedies and communal healing practices of different cultures, only to be proven wrong later on. Fortunately, the situation is slowly changing.

Honey, among other herbal and natural remedies, is finally gaining international, scientific recognition and attention as a wonderful food and medicine. Besides tasting great, and having a sublime consistency, honey is very good for our bodies. Honey has been used medicinally in India, the Middle East, and Africa for thousands of years. In particular, a specific type of honey, Manuka honey, from New Zealand is quickly gaining ground as the ideal type of honey to carry in a first aid kit, and to keep in the kitchen cupboard. Here's why:

For the past 19 years, honey researchers at the University of Waikato have been investigating what many local New Zealanders have accepted as common wisdom for centuries: local Manuka honey is a superior treatment for wound infections. Manuka honey is gathered and made in New Zealand, by bees, from the flowers of the manuka bush, Leptospermum scoparium, which grows uncultivated throughout the country.

The clinical observations recorded are that infection is rapidly cleared, inflammation, swelling and pain are quickly reduced, and healing occurs rapidly with minimal scarring. The antimicrobial properties of honey prevent microbial growth in the moist healing environment created, and unlike other topical antiseptics, honey causes no tissue damage. Another benefit of using honey as a dressing for wounds is that the honey on the wound surface prevents the dressing from sticking, so there is no pain or tissue damage when dressings are changed.

The Honey Research Unit in New Zealand offers us many amazing facts and figures about manuka honey. The Honey Research Unit was set up in 1995, with financial support from the New Zealand Honey Industry Trust, in recognition of the University of Waikato's expertise in the study of the antimicrobial activity of honey. Most of the research and information regarding Manuka honey comes in thanks to Dr. Peter Molan of the Honey Research Unit. A debt of gratitude for his work is acknowledged here.

Honey has antibacterial qualities, due primarily to hydrogen peroxide formed in a "slow-release" manner by the enzyme glucose oxidase present in honey. The potency of this antibacterial quality varies considerably depending on the type of honey. Some honeys are no more antibacterial than sugar, while others can be diluted more than 100-fold and still halt the growth of bacteria.

"Active Manuka honey" is the only honey available for sale that is tested for its antibacterial activity. It contains an additional antibacterial component found only in honey produced from Leptospermum plants: what has been called the "Unique Manuka Factor" (UMF). There is evidence that the two antibacterial components may have a synergistic action.

Internally, Active Manuka Honey stimulates the immune system and helps the body deal with infections. Research has shown that Active Manuka Honey also promotes the rehydration of the body, causing the earlier clearing of diarrhea, vomiting and stomach upsets. Active Manuka Honey is also effective in killing the Helicobacter pylori bug, which is present in stomach ulcers, and is effective in treating cuts, burns, wounds, acne, abscesses, cracked skin, sore gums, sore throats, colds, indigestion, eye infections and even Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

According to the research, some people have found relief from duodenal and stomach ulcers by spreading a generous amount (about one teaspoon) of Active Manuka Honey on a slice of bread one hour before meals, without fluids, and again at bedtime. The bread is supposed to ensure that the honey stays in the stomach for a longer period. Some people have also reported that they have had good results when they even ate the honey straight from the spoon.

Honey can also be used in treating gum inflammations. The honey has pain-reducing qualities and reduces gum inflammation at the same time. Who in the modern world would have known that medicine could taste so sweet if it were not for the wisdom of the ages?

Honey, despite being sweet, has also been found to disrupt the process by which bacteria in the mouth are able to cause tooth decay. The bacteria Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus sobrinus, and Lactobacillus caseii, which inhabit the mouth and produce harmful acid, have been found in laboratory testing to have their acid production sharply reduced and almost stopped altogether in the presence of moderate antibacterial strength honey.

New Zealand Manuka honey is considered the top medicinal honey in the world. Down to Earth is pleased to inform you that we carry Manuka honey in the Grocery sections of our stores.

Quotation Source: Down to Earth

Don't Be Fooled by Cheap Manuka Honey

As this unique type of medical honey from New Zealand becomes more popular, knock offs continue to confuse consumers.

Most people are familiar with honey's ability to heal. In the old days, doctors used honey to treat wounds when other dressings weren't available and grandmothers have been healing sore throats with honey for ages. Honey derived from the Manuka plant, indigenous to New Zealand, seems to have far more healing properties than other types of honey. Manuka Honey has become a hot commodity as a result of medical reports proving its impressive healing qualities. It now being used to successfully treat stomach ulcers, acid reflux disease, irritable bowl syndrome, cold and flu symptoms, acne, eczema, bacterial and fungal infections, etc.

Manuka Honey's curative properties are due in part to it's antibacterial activity. Since Manuka Honey contains antibacterial compounds not found in other types of honey, it commands a higher price. This has consumers scouring the Internet in search of the best price for Manuka Honey. There are some retailers that sell inexpensive Manuka Honey. However, the quality of this honey is not what people have come to expect from Manuka Honey. The antibacterial potency can vary depending on the floral nectar component. This could make the difference between medical-grade honey and ordinary honey. It could also mean the difference between premium and cheap Manuka Honey.

There are a few infallible ways of determining if Manuka Honey is of medical-grade quality. At this particular time, Manuka Honey is produced only in New Zealand. Premium Manuka Honey should have a rating on the label that indicates its antibacterial potency. For example, UMF 16 is most desirable for medicinal use. Manuka Honey that is less potent may not be effective in treating medical conditions and Manuka Honey that is more potent may cause a burning sensation.

The UMF trademark indicates that the supplier is regulated and is required to perform laboratory tests on the honey to measure its antibacterial potency. There should also be a license number listed somewhere on the label. When the label merely lists a number without the letters "UMF" or just refers to it as "active", there is no assurance that it is truly medical-grade. In fact, in the U.S., the FDA does not regard honey of any kind as being active. Therefore, FDA regulations bar suppliers from referring to honey as being an active ingredient. Suppliers that indicate honey as being active on the label are in violation of FDA regulations.

In the near future, a new rating system may become standardized in the Manuka Honey industry. The Molan Gold Standard may soon replace the UMF rating system. These two standards are the only ones that should be trusted. If a jar of Manuka Honey does not say UMF or Molan Gold Standard on the label, you have no way of knowing if a laboratory test was performed to measure its antibacterial potency. Manuka Honey without these indicators are usually less expensive, as well as less effective. Don't be fooled by low cost Manuka Honey. It does not work the same as premium Manuka Honey.

"Choosing the right grade of Manuka Honey is crucial," says Frank Buonanotte, CEO of Honeymark International. "Otherwise, the Manuka Honey you purchase might have no more healing properties than the ordinary honey you can find in your local supermarket. As always, you get what you pay for." Honeymark is the largest importer of Manuka Honey in the U.S. and a manufacturer of Manuka Honey products.

Quotation: Honeymark Products

15 Reasons to Use Manuka Honey for Medical Purposes

Other benefits to using Manuka Honey for medicinal purposes are as follows:

1. Manuka Honey has natural antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiviral, antioxidant, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties;

2. Manuka Honey creates a moist healing environment that allows new skin cells to grow across a healing wound flush with the surface of the wound, preventing deformity of the skin and scaring;

3. Manuka Honey rapidly clears infection by destroying bacteria;

4. Manuka Honey repairs damaged skin and regenerates new skin growth;

5. Manuka Honey hastens the healing process;

6. Manuka Honey eliminates malodor by destroying the bacteria that cause it;

7. Manuka Honey can heal Staph infections and destroy antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria such as MRSA and VRE;

8. The viscosity of Manuka Honey provides a protective barrier to prevent wounds from becoming infected;

9. Manuka Honey causes scabs and dead skin cells to lift off the surface of the wound, leaving a clean healthy wound bed in which the regeneration of skin tissue can occur;

10. Manuka Honey stimulates the growth of tissue involved in the healing process;

11. Manuka Honey stimulates the formation of new blood capillaries and the growth of fibroblasts that replace the connective tissue of the deeper layer of the skin and produce the collagen fibers that give strength to the repair;

12. Manuka Honey has an anti-inflammatory action that relieves pain;

13. Manuka Honey has antifungal properties that can cure ringworm and other fungal conditions such as athlete's foot, jock itch and nail fungus;

14. Manuka Honey is all-natural and organic;

15. Manuka Honey has no known side effects. 

At a time that consumers are losing faith in pharmaceuticals and gaining faith in natural alternatives, Manuka Honey has earned its well-deserved recognition as a powerful healing agent. Even though many people are still unaware of its potential, it is believed that Manuka Honey will soon become a valued resource in the medical industry.

Quotation Source: Honeymark Products 

Active Manuka Honey

Clinical reports indicate that a special type of honey has the ability to heal wounds and protect against even the most harmful infections. This honey is now being used as an ingredient in skin care products.

Scientists are evaluating different antibacterial substances in order to find an effective treatment for wounds infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The superbugs associated with these types of life-threatening infections have become a major clinical concern. Honey is at the top of the list, given the fact that it has been used for over 4000 years as a wound dressing. More recently, honey has been reconsidered for medical use as numerous reports indicate that it rates favorably in comparison to modern wound dressing materials.

Researchers have discovered that honey possesses a natural antibacterial activity and is very effective in clearing infected wounds as well as protecting wounds from becoming infected. Honey has also been found to have a debriding effect, anti-inflammatory properties and a stimulatory effect on granulation and epithelialisation. In many cases honey has cleared infected wounds when conventional medicine had failed.

Scientists have reported that seriously infected wounds quickly becoming sterile within a week after being treated with a honey-based dressing. It has also been determined that honey forms a protective barrier, preventing clean wounds from becoming infected and therefore preventing cross-infection. Honey has no adverse effects on skin tissue which also makes it safe to use on wounds in order to clear infection.

Honey that is produced from different floral sources have different healing properties. The antibacterial activity in honey is primarily due to hydrogen peroxide which produced by enzymes when honey is diluted. Hydrogen peroxide has been used as an antiseptic but can damage skin tissue in high concentrations. The level of hydrogen peroxide in honey is well below the level that causes damage to skin tissue. A certain type of honey known as Manuka Honey contains an additional plant-derived antibacterial component called the Unique Manuka Factor or UMF which makes it even more effective in the healing process.

It has been determined in clinical studies that the antibacterial potency of UMF Active Manuka Honey is well in excess of that needed to stop the growth of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria such as MRSA and VRE. "The unusual antibacterial activity of Manuka Honey is about twice as great as the hydrogen peroxide activity of other types of honey," says Frank Buonanotte, CEO of Honeymark International which is a manufacturer of advanced skin care products. "Manuka Honey has become known as a valuable ingredient in health care products considering the fact that it has the ability to heal better than most pharmaceuticals, without negative side effects."

Quotation Source: Honeymark Products

How to Treat MRSA and Staph Infections

Amid the growing concerns for this life-threatening condition, researchers discovery that MRSA cannot develop a resistance to Manuka Honey the way it has been able to with antibiotics.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a type of bacteria that is resistant to certain antibiotics, such as methicillin and other common antibiotics such as oxacillin, penicillin and amoxicillin. MRSA is usually transmitted by direct skin-to-skin contact or contact with shared items or surfaces that have come into contact with someone else's infection, such as towels or used bandages. If entered into the blood stream, MRSA infections can become fatal.

When treating MRSA, taking antibiotics is not enough to destroy the bacterium or heal a Staph infection. Even though some medicines may help the boil to go away, the germ is still all around you, and you will most likely get it again if proper prevention measures are not followed. This dilemma has doctors and other medical professionals scurrying for an alternative to antibiotics.

Why don't antibiotics work? Antibiotics are medicines that help to fight bacterial infections. However, bacteria have the ability to mutate and become resistant to elements attempting to destroy them, such as antibiotics. Bacteria quickly develop new traits through mutations that help protect them against antibiotics. The mutated organisms survive and reproduce, passing along the mutation to their offspring. Eventually, antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria will outnumber the non-resistant ones under the constant pressure of antibiotic use.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria change in some way that reduces or eliminates the effectiveness of drugs, chemicals or other agents designed to cure or prevent infections. The bacteria survive and continue to multiply causing more harm. In more simple terms, when a bacteria becomes resistant to an antibiotic, it means that it has come up with a way to keep the antibiotic from working against it. It has been noted that more than 70% of the bacteria that cause infections are resistant to at least one antibiotic used to treat them.

What's the solution? Manuka Honey has the ability to destroy bacteria by drawing moisture out of the bacterial cells, making it impossible for the bacteria to survive. This is different than the way antibiotics kill bacteria. There has been countless clinical studies that have proven Manuka Honey's ability to completely wipe out the superbugs associated with MRSA-related Staph infections. As a result, Manuka Honey is now being used in wound dressings as a powerful antibacterial agent. To date, there have been no reported cases of any bacteria being able to develop a resistance to Manuka Honey.

What is Manuka Honey? There is a unique type of plant that is indigenous to New Zealand and certain parts of Australia called the Manuka Tree (Leptospermum scoparium). Honeybees gather the nectar of the flowers that grow on the Manuka Tree and take it back to their hives where they add enzymes to it to form honey. It is this unique nectar that possess special antibacterial properties which makes Manuka Honey different than other types of honey.

This medical grade honey is now being used in wound care products as a healing agent. Honeymark is a manufacturer of skin care products that utilizes Active Manuka Honey as a main ingredient. Honeymark's First Aid Antiseptic Lotion is an effective topical solution when treating MRSA. In addition to Active Manuka Honey, this product also contains Benzalkonium Chloride which is an FDA approved antiseptic. The chloride is, in essence, salt which has the ability to absorb moisture, similar to the way Manuka Honey does. Anyone who has ever poured salt over a slug has watched the slug shrivel up and die. The same thing happens to bacteria when it comes in contact with chloride.

"Honeymark has taken the sticky mess out of using plain Manuka Honey on the skin," says Frank Buonanotte, CEO of Honeymark International. "Our First Aid Antiseptic Lotion contains UMF Active Manuka Honey which has the ability to diffuse into the depth of tissue, healing wounds below the surface of the skin. This has become our best selling product because of its ability to effectively heal Staph infections."

Quotation Source: HoneyMark Products

Can I take Manuka honey as I am type 2 diabetic? 

There has been some recent research showing that natural honey is better for Diabetics than sugar (sucrose). Do a Google search for "honey health benefits" or "honey and diabetes". Read only articles which come from reputable research or medical organisations. 

Honey contains both sucrose and fructose - plus (in natural honey) some other beneficial substances. These substances vary from honey-to-honey and season-to-season depending on what flowers the bees were visiting at the time. Some Australian and New Zealand natural honey varieties (including Maunuka Bush and Karri Tree) have excellent therapeutic qualities. Honey from Australia and New Zealand is produced from forests which have probably the cleanest water and air - with no insecticidal or herbicide contamination.

Bulk honey is usually produced by mixing many different types of honey from different areas and it therefore always tastes and looks similar. It is often treated with heat and chemicals  - to protect against any contaminating organisms. It may also have water added.  As a result, its beneficial properties are much reduced.

Honey has natural anti-bacterial qualities and it is used on wounds which are difficult to heal (such as those suffered by diabetics). Medicinal honey dressings and creams are available through pharmacies - or from the various honey suppliers e.g. Manuka.

As a diabetic, you could try a small amount e.g. a small teapoon of natural (un-processed) honey in black, green or ginger tea, or on your wholegrain cereal, or in a glass of warm water, or with 1/4 to 1/2 a teaspoon of ground ginger or cinnamon. Check your blood-sugar levels before, immediatly after, and two-hours after. The effects of sugar (of any sort) on your blood-sugar levels are influenced by what other food you eat at the same time e.g. plain rolled-oats (porridge) or a slice of whole-grain bread will help even out your sugar levels.

Cinnamon, ginger, tea (without milk), and honey all have health benefits. Cinnamon in particular has had a lot of research showing benefits for diabetics.

My sister (who has Type 2 Diabetes) says her sugar levels are more even since she started taking the natural honey and cinnamon each day. Remember though - each person is different and you must learn what suits you.

You should keep a diary which includes what you eat and drink, how you feel (tired, teary, shaky, fuzzy etc), what exercise you are doing - along with the times and your blood-sugar levels. From this diary, you should be able to work out what helps and what hinders you blood-sugar control.

Quotation Source : MyDiabetesCentral.com

Using Manuka Honey to Treat Fungal Infections

A particular type of honey known as Manuka Honey has been found to have strong antifungal properties making it effective in treating conditions such as ringworm, athlete's foot, jock itch, nail fungus, tinea, etc.

Scientists have discovered that a mono-floral honey known as Manuka Honey has an antifungal activity. Fungal infections are one of the most common diseases of humans and are some of the most difficult to treat. Antibiotics may be effective in treating bacterial infections but they are ineffective against fungal infections. Since poor immunity is a common cause for some fungal infections, bacterial infections can also be present as well. Manuka Honey is ideal for treating this type of condition because it contains both antifungal and antibacterial properties.

In laboratory studies, it was found that the hydrogen peroxide and the non-peroxide activity in the Manuka Honey inhibited the growth of fungi. It was also found that less of a concentration of Manuka Honey was necessary than that of which is required to treat infected wounds, burns and ulcers because there is no exudation.

Nail fungus can be exceptionally difficult to treat because the nail acts as a protective layer. Most products that are sold over-the-counter only provide temporary relief because the fungus is only suppressed for a short time. However, Manuka Honey has the ability to penetrate deep into the layers of the skin where it destroys infectious bacteria and fungus spores. Fungus spores can cause infection through small breaks in the skin. Once an area of the skin has been infected with a fungus organism, decaying skin allows bacteria to multiply, causing a distinctive bad aroma from the infected area.

Since Manuka Honey is sticky and not particularly user-friendly when used on the skin, health care products manufacturer, Honeymark International, has developed an Anti-Fungal Solution containing Active Manuka Honey which is effective in treating a wide variety of fungal conditions. Honeymark's Anti-Fungal Solution comes in a squeeze tube for easy application. "The dropper tip is a hygienic alternative to brush-on applicators which can cause the spread of further infection," says Frank Buonanotte, CEO of Honeymark International. "Our special formulation makes it easier to apply Manuka Honey to the effected areas, along with other ingredients that are effective in treating fungal conditions."

Quotation Source: honeymark

Benefits of Using Manuka Honey as a Wound Dressing

Manuka Honey is becoming a popular ingredient in wound care products because of its ability to rapidly clear infection and heal wounds. The following delineates the benefits of utilizing this amazing natural resource as a viable treatment alternative to conventional wound medications.

Honey has been used as a natural wound healer for many years. However, recent discoveries have concluded that one particular kind of honey, indigenous to New Zealand, contains plant-derived healing properties that sets it apart from other types of honey. Manuka Honey's greatest asset is its antibacterial properties. Most traditional forms of medicine used for clearing infections can be damaging to skin tissue. However, Manuka Honey has been found to have no known side effects.

In addition to being an excellent source for healing infection, Manuka Honey also helps to prevent scarring. During the healing process, a wound will form a scab in an effort to prevent further blood loss. The problem is that newly forming skin can only grow below the scab. This creates a deformity as the new tissue is not even with the rest of the skin. However, the moist healing environment created by Manuka Honey helps to lift the scab, therefore, allowing for the regeneration of new skin to grow flush with the surface of the wound.

In some more serious wounds, patients notice that the wound begins to smell bad. Wounds most commonly associated with malodor include exudating wounds, chronic pressure ulcers, venous leg ulcers, diabetic/neuropathic ulcers, fungating, cancerous or malignant lesions and wounds with necrotic tissue. Wound odor is mostly due to the degradation of tissue or bacteria that release compounds and fatty acids. When a Manuka Honey-based dressing is used, the bacteria feed of the sugars in the honey and give off better smelling gases, therefore minimizing or eliminating malodor.

Manuka Honey also has powerful anti-inflammatory properties that help to relieve pain associated with wounds. Once Manuka Honey is applied to a wound, tissue inflammation and swelling is immediately reduced. Since pain is never considered a desirable experience, this could possibly be one of Manuka Honey's more favorable qualities.

Perhaps the element that has brought Manuka Honey into the spot light as of late is its ability to destroy antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as MRSA and VRE. With the widespread concern of Staph infections and the lack of treatment alternatives, Manuka Honey has come through like a ray of hope, effectively healing such conditions where antibiotics have failed. News headlines around the world have described Manuka Honey's ability to go toe-to-toe with this deadly infection. The best way to describe it is that, by osmosis, Manuka Honey draws moisture out of the bacterial cells, making it impossible for them to stay alive. This is why no bacteria has ever been able to develop a resistance to Manuka Honey, and never will.

Below is a brief recapitulation of Manuka Honey's wound healing benefits:

• Antibacterial properties rapidly clear infection
  
  
• Causes scabs to lift, avoiding the formation of scars
  
  
• Eliminates malodor in more serious wounds
  
  
• Kills antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as MRSA
  
  
• Heals wounds quickly
  
  
• Repairs damaged skin and regenerates new skin growth
  
  
• Anti-inflammatory properties reduce pain
  
  
• No negative side effects
  
  

If the thought of applying honey directly to a wound is less desirable, a company called Honeymark has developed a First Aid Antiseptic Lotion containing Active Manuka Honey that is extremely effective in treating wounds and burns. "Honeymark's First Aid Antiseptic Lotion has all the health benefits of using Manuka Honey as a wound dressing without the sticky mess," says Frank Buonanotte, CEO of Honeymark International. "This product also has other valuable ingredients that make it extremely effective in treating seriously infected wounds, burns or minor cuts and scrapes. It's a must-have in your medicine cabinet or first aid kit"

Quotation Source: Honeymark Products

Active Manuka Honey for Cancer & Wound care 

Even up to the second world war, honey was being used for its antibacterial properties in treating wounds.

But with the advent of penicillin and other antibiotic drugs in the twentieth century, honey's medicinal qualities have taken a back seat.

But that might be about to change - thanks to one New Zealand based researcher.

Working in his Honey Research Unit at the University of Waikato, in the central North Island, biochemist Professor Peter Molan has identified one particular type of honey with extraordinary healing qualities.

Professor Molan has shown that honey made from the flowers of the manuka bush, a native of New Zealand, has antibacterial properties over and above those of other honeys.

Mystery ingredient

He said: "In all honeys, there is - to different levels - hydrogen peroxide produced from an enzyme that bees add to the nectar.

"In manuka honey, and its close relative which grows in Australia called jellybush, there's something else besides the hydrogen peroxide.

"And there's nothing like that ever been found anywhere else in the world."

That "something else" has proved very hard to pin down. Even now, after more than twenty years of research, Peter Molan admits he still has no idea exactly what it is.

But he has given it a name: unique manuka factor, or UMF.

And he has found a way to measure its antibacterial efficacy, by comparing UMF manuka honey with a standard antiseptic (carbolic, or phenol) in its ability to fight bacteria. The results are astonishing.

He said: "We know it has a very broad spectrum of action.

"It works on bacteria, fungi, protozoa. We haven't found anything it doesn't work on among infectious organisms."

Resistant strains

A satisfied user "I got bitten by an Alsatian. It grabbed my hand and gave me a five-stitch bite. So I went off to the doctors, and they solely used manuka honey, nothing else, no other treatment. I've got barely a scar now, and that's only three weeks ago. Now in the medical kit I carry in the truck, I have manuka honey and bandages, and that's all." Chris Graham

In fact, he says UMF manuka honey can even tackle antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria - a growing problem for hospitals around the world.

"Staphylococcus aureas is the most common wound-infecting species of bacteria, and that's the most sensitive to honey that we've found.

"And that includes the antibiotic resistant strains - the MRSA - which is just as sensitive to honey as any other staphylococcus aureas."

Clinical trials at the Waikato Hospital have shown that even out of the lab, UMF manuka honey has amazing healing properties.

Nurse practitioner Julie Betts has successfully used honey to treat leg ulcers and pressure sores. And she says it helps healing after surgery - particularly for diabetic patients.

"It has an anti-inflammatory effect as well, so if I want to do several things apart from actually controlling the bacteria in that wound, then that's when I'll use honey."

Cancer treatment

Cancer specialist Dr Glenys Round has also found honey to be an effective treatment.

The honey is exported widely

"We've been using honey to treat fungating wounds, where the cancer has broken through the skin," she said.

"The results in that situation have been excellent."

Most recently, she has had success in using honey dressings on patients with wounds or ulcers resulting from radiation therapy.

"Most of these patients in the past had tried various other conventional treatments without good success, and that is the reason why at least initially honey was tried."

Most patients seem happy to try the honey treatment.

"They don't have a problem with it at all," said Julie Betts.

"Humans in general have a fondness I think for natural remedies, so they're quite happy to use them."

"I think the problem we encounter is when people don't understand how it works.

"They think that sourcing any honey will achieve the same outcome, and that's not always true."

Worldwide export

That's a view shared by beekeeper Bill Bennett a few kilometres up the road from the hospital.

He and his wife Margaret run the Summerglow Apiaries, one of just a handful of registered suppliers of UMF manuka honey in New Zealand.

They produce between eight and twelve metric tonnes of manuka honey every year, and sell it across the world.

The honey is rigorously tested three times during production for that elusive unique manuka factor; only then can it carry the label "UMF manuka honey".

"It just seems that manuka from a few areas within New Zealand produces a nectar that has this special property," said Bill Bennett.

"There is a lot of manuka honey out there that doesn't have this special property. That's why it's so important to look for the name UMF."

Now, a New Zealand natural health products company Comvita is taking UMF manuka honey one step further.

Dressings

Comvita has set up a new medical products division to take hi-tech honey dressings developed by Peter Molan to the international market.

The new dressings have been designed to take the mess out of honey.

"It's like a sheet of rubber, you can touch it without it being sticky at all," he said.

Comvita has high hopes for the new product.

"Previously untreatable wounds of many types are now found to be treatable by honey," said Comvita's Ray Lewis.

"The global market for wound care is in the range of two to six billion US dollars. So if we can capture just a small percentage of that, we will obviously be doing very well."

 

Quotation Source : BBC

Manuka Honey for the Treatment of Heartburn and Acid Reflux Disease

A special type of honey indigenous to New Zealand has been found to be effective in eliminating the discomfort of heartburn and Acid Reflux Disease.

Heartburn is when you have a burning sensation in your chest behind your breastbone. It is a symptom of acid reflux disease. This is when acid from your stomach flows back into your esophagus. Persistent heartburn two or more days per week is the most common symptom of acid reflux disease. Other signs include coughing, wheezing, hoarseness, sore throat or difficulty swallowing. Some people experience food coming back into their mouths after swallowing. Others experience a sour or bitter taste in their mouth, belching or burning chest pain that may get worse after eating or lying down.

Everyone experiences heartburn once in a while. However, if you have heartburn two or more days per week, experience symptoms for several months or if the symptoms disrupt your sleep, you may have acid reflux disease.

When you swallow, the muscular walls of your esophagus contract to push food down into your stomach. Your esophagus is a tube that connects your mouth and stomach. In normal digestion, a muscular valve opens to let food into your stomach and closes to keep food and stomach acid from flowing back into your esophagus. If you have heartburn or acid reflux disease, this valve is weak or it relaxes at the wrong time, causing stomach acid to flow back into your esophagus. When stomach acid touches the lining of the esophagus, it creates a burning feeling in your chest or throat. If you have frequent heartburn or acid reflux disease, your esophagus can become damaged.

Other health conditions that affect your digestive system can increase your risk of developing acid reflux disease such as obesity, hiatal hernia, asthma, etc. There is medication available to treat heartburn and acid reflux disease but they usually have a tendency to cause negative side effects such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, upper respiratory tract infections, vomiting and flatulence. Antacids can be used to manage occasional heartburn but they don't provide long-term relief or help to heal damage to your esophagus. In addition, overusing antacids can lead to constipation or diarrhea.

There is a natural solution for heartburn and acid reflux disease. It's called Manuka Honey and it is derived from the nectar of the flowers that grow on the Manuka tea tree which is indigenous to New Zealand. Taking one teaspoon of Manuka Honey about a half hour before breakfast, lunch and dinner and then a fourth time before bed will reduce or eliminate the symptoms of acid reflux disease.

"Manuka Honey has been used as a medicine in New Zealand for decades but has been recently gaining recognition as a natural healing agent in other countries," says Frank Buonanotte, CEO of Honeymark International which is the largest importer of Manuka Honey in the U.S. "Manuka Honey has very powerful healing properties that have been found to have no negative side effects when used for medicinal purposes. We refer to it as natures best kept secret."

Quotation Source: Honeymark Products

How to prevent a wound from scarring?

Medical grade honey is being used as a dressing to effectively heal wounds without the formation of a scar.

Some people think that a scab promotes healing in a wound. This is not true. A scab is dead cell material that deprives the tissue underneath of nutrients and moisture which is necessary for the regeneration of skin tissue. Scabs prevent the skin from growing flush with the surface of the skin and, therefore, are the cause of scarring. New skin tissue grows underneath the scab at a lower level than the rest of the skin. When the scab falls off, the new skin tissue that grew underneath remains at the lower level, creating deformity of the skin. In order to prevent scarring, a wound has to be treated properly from the beginning, allowing the new skin to re-grow flush with the level of the rest of the skin.

A breakthrough in wound care has been discovered utilizing a special type of honey known as Manuka Honey. This medical grade honey is produced from the nectar of the Manuka bush which is indigenous to New Zealand. Manuka Honey provides a moist, healing environment that is not only effective in healing wounds efficiently but also lifts scabs away from the surface of the wound. Manuka Honey contains vitamins, nutrients, amino acids and sugars which play a role in collagen synthesis for the reduction of scars. Manuka Honey also creates a protective barrier around the newly grown skin which prevents scabs from forming.

In addition to preventing scars, Manuka Honey provides the following benefits for wound healing:

• A moist and sterile environment conducive for the regeneration of skin growth;
  
• Antioxidant activity that decreases that amount of destructive free radicals;
  
• Anti-inflammatory properties which help to reduce swelling and relieve pain;
  
• Debriding action that allows easy detachment of scabs and dead tissue;
  
• Increases in blood circulation to the wound;
  
• Osmotic effect that draws exudate and impurities from the wound;
  
• Reduction of wound odor by preventing ammonia production;
  
• Antibacterial properties that heal infection.
  

 

Perhaps one of the most encouraging benefits to using Manuka Honey as a wound dressing is that it has no known side effects. If the idea of putting honey on a wound is undesirable, a manufacturer of skin care products called Honeymark has developed a First Aid Antiseptic Lotion containing Active Manuka Honey as a healing agent. This product takes the sticky mess out of using honey on the skin but provides all of the same healing benefits of Manuka Honey.

 

"There is no better substance on the face of the planet that is more capable of preventing a scar from forming than Manuka Honey," says Frank Buonanotte, CEO of Honeymark International. "Manuka Honey naturally lifts scabs from the surface of a wound, allowing the skin to heal evenly. Average wound dressings cannot do that."

 

For more information or to purchase Honeymark's First Aid Antiseptic Lotion with Manuka Honey, call 1-866-427-7329 or visit www.HoneymarkProducts.com.

 

Quotation Honeymark

An Effective Solution for Dry, Itchy Skin

Honeymark Anti-Itch Cream is effective in treating eczema, insect bites/stings, poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac, seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis.

There are many anti-itch products on the market. The question is, which one is going to help the most? Itchy skin care be caused by a variety of different conditions. Maybe you have eczema or some other type of dermatitis. You might have a mosquito bite or bee sting that's driving you crazy. When your children are playing outside and accidentally come in contact with poison ivy, what will offer the quickest and most effective relief? The best way to relieve itching skin is to heal the cause of the itch. Makes sense, right? Unfortunately, some anti-itch products have difficulty accomplishing this.

Honeymark's secret weapon is an ingredient that comes from the far reaches of the earth, 8000 miles away in the remote, pollution-free countryside of New Zealand. It's called Manuka Honey and it's produced by bees that use the nectar from a native plant called the Manuka tea tree. Manuka Honey has the ability to repair damaged skin and regenerate new healthy skin growth. It also contains natural anti-inflammatory properties that minimizes, or even eliminate irritation and redness. Studies have shown that Manuka Honey has far more healing properties than other types of honey and even some traditional forms of medication.

When using pure Manuka Honey on the skin, you can imagine the sticky mess that one would have to deal with. However, Honeymark's Anti-Itch Cream offers a much more viable and user-friendly solution. Manuka Honey can be diluted up to 100 times and still maintain its efficacy. Blended together with other ingredients that help get to the root of the problem, this product is capable of providing relief fast, even when other products fail.

"Manuka Honey is gaining worldwide recognition for its unparalleled healing ability," says Frank Buonanotte, CEO of Honeymark International. "It's not only extremely effective in remedying a wide spectrum of skin conditions but it also works very quickly. And because Manuka Honey is a natural ingredient, it's been found to have no negative side effects, unlike other ingredients commonly found in anti-itch creams."

Manuka Honey is considered to be a humectant, locking moisture into skin cells. As a general rule, hydrated skin always heals faster than dry skin. It's ability to draw and retain moisture into the skin contributes to its ability to relieve the itching sensation caused by some skin irritants and improves upon the scaly texture that dry skin conditions can cause. Manuka Honey can even diffuse into the depth of skin tissue, past the epidermis layer and getting to deep seeded conditions that other anti-itch products can't reach.

Quotation Source : Honeymark Products

Honey, the New Antibiotic

In the wake of an increasing number of cases involving antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria, medical professionals seek refuge in a special type of honey containing powerful antibacterial and antimicrobial properties to treat Staph infections and MRSA.

An old household remedy is finding its way back into modern medicine. Scientists are now discovering that a particular type of honey is more effective in treating wounds than most antibiotics. Even chronic wounds infected with antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria can be healed quickly with this honey. It's called 'Manuka Honey' and it comes from beehives located in New Zealand.

The use of honey for medical purposes was known to the ancient Egyptians thousands of years ago. Even in the last two world wars, bandages with honey were used to treat wounded soldiers. However, the advent of antibiotics replaced this household remedy with the misconception that medicine was more effective than honey. The problem is that today we are faced with germs that are resistant to almost all types of antibiotics. As a result, the medical use of honey is becoming attractive again for the treatment of wounds. The reason being is that recent studies show that honey is actually more effective, despite what doctors once thought.

When using dressings containing Manuka Honey, dead tissue is rejected faster and wounds heals more rapidly. In addition, changing bandages is less painful, because with honey they are easier to remove without damaging the newly formed layers of skin. Some wounds often smell unpleasant which can be an enormous strain on the patient. Honey also helps in this instance by reducing malodor. Even wounds that don't heal for years can be brought under control with the use of Manuka Honey within a few weeks. Less serious wounds can be healed with Manuka Honey in a few days or even within a few hours.

"It has already been proved that Manuka Honey can destroy antibiotic-resident bacteria such as MRSA, says Frank Buonanotte, CEO of Honeymark International, manufacturer of Manuka Honey products. "Additionally, Manuka Honey is also known to have an antiseptic effect." When producing honey, bees add an enzyme called glucose-oxidase. This enzyme produces small amounts of hydrogen peroxide which is an effective antiseptic. The advantage of the hydrogen peroxide found in honey is that small concentrations are able to kill the bacteria because it is constantly being produced in a slow-release manner. Normally, much larger quantities of hydrogen peroxide are required because hydrogen peroxide loses its potency over time. However, in large concentrations it damages skin cells. This is a side effect that does not occur with honey.

Manuka Honey, also known as Leptospermum Honey, comes from a tree species that grows in New Zealand and Australia. Honey from these trees has a particularly strong anti-bacterial effect, even when diluted. Honeybees gather nectar from the flowers that grow on this tree and take it back to their hives where they produce this unique type of honey. "What makes Manuka Honey more potent in treating wounds and other health conditions is the present of an additional antibacterial compound other than hydrogen peroxide," says Buonanotte. "This other antibacterial component has become known as the unique Manuka factor, also known as UMF."

Quotation Source: Honeymark Products

Skin Care Tips for Your Face

By Jen Adkins, About.com Guide to Skin Care

Serums or moisturizers? Masks or exfoliators? Or all of the above?

Who can blame a person for getting confused when it comes to taking care of your face? Learn the basics as well as more extensive skin care information and soon you will be a pro too.

 

1. What is Your Skin Type?
2. Get a Grip on Your Acne
3. Skin Care Q&A's
4. Moisturize

 

1. Extra Skin Care Steps
2. Skin Care for Men
3. Interviews with the Experts

 

What is Your Skin Type?

Do you know what your skin type is? Is it oily, combination, normal or dry? Or maybe you have sensitive skin. While dermatologists don't categorize your skin, skin care companies do. In order to pick the right products, you'll need to have some sort of idea what your skin type is.

 

• Oily Skin Characteristics
• Combination Skin Characteristics
• Normal Skin Characteristics
• Dry Skin Characteristics

 

Get a Grip on Your Acne

Whether your 12 or 42, acne can cause havoc on your skin. Know that you're not alone, and that there are ways to deal with it. Of course, you should always remember that your dermatologist is there to help you, but if you're looking to treat your acne at home, here is some help.

 

• Skin Care Tips for Oily Skin and Combination Skin
• How To Take Care of Your Oily T-Zone
• What Causes Acne? (Or What Doesn't!)
• Skin Care Steps for Oily Skin
• 8 Acne Spot Treatments

 

• Make Your Own Pore Strips
• 10 Homemade Acne Treatments
• Skin Care Tips for Tweens - How to Wash Your Face
• Teen Skin Care
• Reduce the Appearance of Your Enlarged Pores

 

Skin Care Q&A's

I'm always available to answer skin care questions. If you don't see yours here, email me at skincare.guide@about.com.

 

• Skin Care Product Recommendations for a 20 Year Old
• How Often Should I Exfoliate and Use a Mask?
• Is There a Concealer With SPF For My Melasma?
• Do I Really Need a Facial Moisturizer?
• What is an Illuminating Facial Moisturizer?

 

• Facial Toner - Is it Necessary?
• What Are Antioxidants?
• What Are Parabens?
• How Do I Avoid Eyeshadow Crease When I Have Oily Eyelids?

 

Moisturize

What type of moisturizer do you need? Do you need a serum and a moisturizer? What about eye creams?

 

• Night Face Cream - Is it Really Necessary?
• Facial Serum vs. Facial Moisturizer
• Why You Don't Need an Under Eye Cream
• Best Moisturizers Under $20

 

Extra Skin Care Steps

You may or may not need to add extra skin care steps into your skin care regimen. Here is some info on each step and why you may want to add it to your skin care routine.

 

• What is Microdermabrasion, Anyway?
• Get Rid of Dark Circles Under the Eyes
• How To Exfoliate your Dry Chapped Lips

 

• How To Give Yourself a Relaxing At-Home Facial
• Choose the Best Facial Mask For Your Skin
• How To Use Eye Makeup Remover

 

Skin Care for Men

Guys, ditch the Dial and start taking proper care of your skin.

 

• 2 Must-Have Drugstore Products for Men
• 5 Simple Skin Care Changes for Men
• My Favorite Hand Creams For Men

 

• Bald Men, Don't Forget to Take Care of Your Head
• Stop Excess Sweating
• Can I Use My Wife's Skin Care Products?

 

Interviews with the Experts

 

Read my interviews with top skin care experts and answer some of your burning skin care questions.

 

• Robert Jones: Makeup Artist and Author - Bridal Beauty
• Shannon Monihan - ANSR: Acne Care - Teen Acne
• Dr. Zein Obagi: Creator of ZO Skin Heath and Obagi NuDerm - Anti-Aging
• AJ Crimson - Celebrity Makeup Artist
• Keri Ellet: Jim Wayne Salon - Waxing Tips

 

• Dr. Jill DeBiasi and Dr. Cheryl Tomasulo of DT Smile Design - Teeth Whitening
• Dr. Thornfeldt: Dermatologist - Rosacea and Sensitive Skin
• Shobha Tummala, Founder and CEO of Shobha
• Julie Gabriel, Author of The Green Beauty Guide
• Summer Rayne Oakes - Model-Activist, Discovery Correspondent, Author

Quotation Source : Jen Adkins
Skin Care Guide

Sunscreen, Skin Cancer, and UVA

 

Sunscreen: you slather it on before you go to the beach. It keeps you from being fried to a crisp. It helps prevent your skin from getting that wrinkled, leathery look. And it protects you from the ultraviolet rays that cause skin cancer. Sunburn, caused by a type of ultraviolet (UV) light known as UVB, has served as a surrogate for far more serious conditions like melanoma and basal and squamous cell carcinoma, three forms of skin cancer. If you prevent sunburn, you prevent skin cancer, right?

Well, that isn't the whole story. Sunscreens do protect skin from sunburn, but a scientific debate simmers about the role of lower-energy ultraviolet light in skin damage and whether current sunscreens provide adequate protection.

In recent years, however, it has become apparent that a different form of ultraviolet light, called UVA, may be even more important in causing some skin disorders. Although experts still believe that UVB is responsible for much of the skin damage caused by sunlight -- especially sunburn -- UVA may be an important factor in photoaging and skin cancers. Most sunscreens do a good job blocking UVB, but fewer sunscreens filter out most of the UVA, so they do not help to prevent the beginnings of melanoma formation.

 

Risks and Statistics

The death rate from melanoma in the US has increased by about 4% a year since 1973, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Melanoma represents only about 47,000 of the 1.8 million cases of skin cancer diagnosed each year, but according to the American Cancer Society it will cause 79% of skin cancer deaths. While cancer treatments continue to improve, melanoma recovery rates remain disappointing. Prevention is the better solution.

As prevention, however, sunscreens alone appear to be imperfect. In the first study to test the protective effect of sunscreens on people -- not just the hairless mice used in laboratory studies -- researchers at the Queensland Institute for Medical Research in Brisbane, Australia, reported in 1999 that sunscreen use reduces the risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma by 40%. But using sunscreen did not reduce the risk of developing melanoma or basal cell carcinoma. The Australian study followed 1,383 adults for five years.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), sunscreens are an important part of a person's total sun protection strategy, but sunscreen alone will not prevent all of the possible harmful effects due to sun exposure. Borrowing the "Slip, Slop, Slap" slogan from an Australian skin cancer prevention campaign, the American Cancer Society recommends that anyone out in the sun slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen and slap on a hat. The educational campaign in Australia seems to be working: the rates of skin cancer are declining in younger groups, and suntans are out of fashion. But the melanoma rates are still high in older people whose skin was damaged by sun exposure years ago.

UVA and UVB

Physicists classify ultraviolet light into three types, by its wavelengths: UVA, UVB and UVC. The dimensions of their wavelengths are roughly 400 to 320 nanometers (nm) for UVA, 320 to 290 nm for UVB, and 290 to 200 nm for UVC. Although it may seem backwards, the shorter the wavelength and the lower the number, the greater the energy level of the light and the more damage it can do. For example, direct exposure to UVC for a length of time would destroy the skin. Fortunately, UVC is completely absorbed by gases in the atmosphere before it reaches the ground.

The longer wavelengths of UVB and UVA pass right through the atmosphere, even on a cloudy day. That's why you can still get sunburned on a cloudy or hazy day. The molecules in sunscreens absorb most UVB and prevent it from reaching the skin just as the molecules of the atmosphere absorb UVC and prevent it from reaching the ground. But UVA is another story.

Most sunscreens do not protect the skin from the longer UVA wavelengths. And that may be critical to the creation of skin cancer. Approximately 65% of melanomas and 90% of basal and squamous cell skin cancers are attributed to UV exposure. The precise wavelengths of ultraviolet that contribute to the formation of skin cancer still need to be sorted out. And scientists must still figure out how best to formulate sunscreens to provide effective protection against these wavelengths. Scientists lack a simple measure of UVA's impact on the skin, and that makes it difficult to determine how much UVA protection a sunscreen provides.

 

The SPF Debate

To figure out how much protection a sunscreen provides, most of us look at the number on the label: the SPF, or sun protection factor. And studies show that most people understand that the higher the number, the more the product protects the skin. But studies also show that people often have the mistaken notion that the higher the SPF number of the sunscreen they use, the longer they can stay -- and do stay -- in the sun. Sunscreen should not be used to prolong time spent in the sun.

The FDA hopes to resolve some of the controversy so sunscreen labels of the future will be clear, reliable, and easy to understand. Products that claim "all day protection" and "broad spectrum sunblock" will have been tested to meet specific standards for blocking UVA, not just UVB. And when the label says "water resistant," it must mean that the product provides the stated SPF level after water resistance testing for a specified length of time.

 

Safe Sunning

Meanwhile, to prevent premature aging, sun damage, and skin cancer, you need to protect yourself and your family from the harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun. And sunscreen alone will not protect you. You need to use a total program to reduce the sun's harmful effects.

• Lavishly apply a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher, and reapply it every two hours according to the directions on the label.
• Reapply sunscreen as needed after swimming, sweating or towel drying. And use sunscreen even on cloudy days.
• Avoid the sun during the middle of the day, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the atmosphere absorbs less of the harmful UV rays of sunlight than earlier or later in the day.
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat, protective clothing, and sunglasses.
• Never leave children exposed to the sun without adequate protection. Because of the long time it takes for cancer to develop, studies suggest that over-exposure early in life may lead to skin cancers later in life.

A Label Caution

A FDA new regulation requires all tanning products that do not contain sunscreen to bear the following warning statement on the label: "Warning -This product does not contain a sunscreen and does not protect against sunburn. Repeated exposure of unprotected skin while tanning may increase the risk of skin aging, skin cancer, and other harmful effects to the skin even if you do not burn."

Quotation Source : Health Link

How to Lose Weight Using Cinnamon Powder and Honey 

The recipe for this alleged miraculous weight loss aid is very simple. Combine one teaspoon honey with one-half teaspoon cinnamon powder and boil in one cup of water. After the mixture has boiled, filter it into another cup. Divide the mixture into two half-cup quantities to be consumed one-half hour before breakfast and one-half hour before going to sleep at night.

By following this regimen, it is suggested that a dieter may easily lose three to five pounds within one week without changing anything else within his or her diet.

The Effect It Has on the Body

According to materials and articles recommending this diet aid, this mixture of cinnamon powder and honey stops the body from accumulating fat.

Other explanations include the fact that honey is an antioxidant and does all kinds of good things for the body.

Cinnamon is said to influence blood sugar and the way it’s processed, giving your body a better chance to break it down in such a way that it doesn’t turn to fat. It is said that abdominal weight is more sensitive to cinnamon’s effects than other body weight

Not the Only Cure

While this may sound like a terrific solution to your weight loss problem, it’s not the only cure. Nor is it the long-term cure. Nobody can attain permanent weight loss without a proper balance between healthy diet and exercise. One should eat a variety of food groups, limit junk food and consume appropriate portions. Additionally, exercise that includes both cardio and strength-training should be a regular part of your exercise plan. By combining exercise, healthy diet and the cinnamon and honey trick, your weight loss success should be guaranteed. When someone asks you how to lose weight using cinnamon powder and honey, let them know there are other elements necessary to succeed, as well.

Quotation Source : Love to Know

Has Manuka Honey been researched? - The Chemistry of Honey

Since ancient times honey has been used as a natural medicine in many cultures. The antibacterial properties of honey however have only been discovered a century ago.

Honey in fact inhibits a broad spectrum of bacteria. Some reports even show an antifungal activity in honey. Some honeys will work better than others though. The Honey Research Unit at the Waikato University in New Zealand is constantly researching honey as a therapeutic agent.

How does the antibacterial activity work in regular honey?

The antibacterial activity in regular honey is due to four major processes or qualities: the osmotic effect, the acidity of honey, the production of hydrogen peroxide in honey and the phytochemical factor.

1. The Osmotic Effect: Honey consists of 84% fructose and glucose  and 15-21% water. The sugar molecules and the water molecules interact strongly. When the sugar content of honey is high and the moisture content (water) is low, bacteria can not grow in honey. Bacteria thrive in honey that has been either pasteurized or diluted with water, such as imported Chinese Honey, typically used in US bakeries as sugar coating.

2. Acidity: Honey has a pH between 3.2 and 4.5 and is considered quite acidic. The acidity inhibits the growth of bacteria. The optimum pH for bacterial growth lies between 7.2 and 7.4. However, if honey is diluted, the pH could become higher, and therefore the antibacterial quality of honey would be destroyed. Paradoxically, dilution is what is needed in order to support the production of the next important antibacterial component in honey: hydrogen peroxide.

3. Hydrogen Peroxide: This antibacterial component is encymically produced in honey through dilution. Hydrogen peroxide is considered to be the most important antibacterial component of honey. The concentration of hydrogen peroxide in honey is low enough not to inflammate a wound or damage the tissue.

4.     Phytochemical Factors: Besides the honey's strongest anti-bacterial component (hydrogen peroxide), honey also contains some minor chemical factors of that quality. Exactly here lies the difference between the antibacterial qualities of Manuka Honey and Regular Honey!

Manuka Honey from New Zealand has shown to have a unique phytochemical factor. What exactly the factor is, has not been identified yet. The factor was discovered 20 years ago by Prof. Dr. Peter Molan, Senior Lecturer Biochemistry at the Waikato University in New Zealand. Dr. Molan removed the hydrogen peroxide from Manuka Honey and could still observe a high antibacterial activity. In fact, hydrogen peroxide and the special antibacterial factor in Manuka Honey enhance each other's power through a synergetic effect. Manuka Honey is considered the most unique honey in the world today, because of it’s unique medicinal properties. The special antibacterial factor is also very stable: hydrogen peroxide, which most honeys contain, is easily destroyed by heat, light, water or the catalase effect of the body serum. The unique manuka factor (UMF), however stays in the honey and does not lose its antibacterial strength.

Manuka Honey has medicinal qualities not found in other honeys. Manuka Honey seems to have the ability to naturally destroy staph aureus and streptococcus. Staph and strep bacteria are typically associated to the common cold, sore throat, canker sore (cold sore) and fever blister.

 

Quotation : www.manukahoneyusa.us