If you have been outside to a supermarket lately you would have noticed that in the jam section among the regular items, think chocolate spread, you will find a type of honey that not only boasts the name Manuka, but also a hefty price (think £19…….. I know)
Astonishingly people are buying this honey like mad! And it is not due to the special bees that produce it. Manuka honey is primarily made in New Zealand and Australia, and what makes it so extraordinary is the bees primarily harvest pollen from the Manuka plant, a close relative to the tea-tree plant which can be found uncultivated in these areas.
This honey has been found to be one of the thickest honeys produced and also has demonstrated antibacterial properties within in vitro studies, its main characteristic that differs it from most supermarket honey is it not only kills off bacteria but also prevents the re-growth afterwards. I must let you know this is NOT the honey you would find on your toast but medical grade Manuka honey that is used after surgery. It is used mainly within the equine sciences at the moment as honey dressings after surgery’s to prevent bacteria growth within open wounds, I must also say it is being used on people as well within the United Kingdom to help protect people against contracting MRSA. Now please don’t go and put honey on open wounds as if it is not medical grade it will contain nasty bacteria that can be detrimental to the wound. It’s amazing to think that honey is now back as a prominent, modern wound care dressing.
Honey, who knew!