Australian researchers have been astonished to discover a cure-all right under their noses — a honey sold in health food shops as a natural medicine.
Far from being an obscure health food with dubious healing qualities, new research has shown the honey kills every type of bacteria scientists have thrown at it, including the antibiotic-resistant “superbugs” plaguing hospitals and killing patients around the world.
Some bacteria have become resistant to every commonly prescribed antibacterial drug. But scientists found that Manuka honey, as it is known in New Zealand, or jelly bush honey, as it is known in Australia, killed every bacteria or pathogen it was tested on.
It is applied externally and acts on skin infections, bites and cuts.
The honey is distinctive in that it comes only from bees feeding off tea trees native to Australia and New Zealand, said Dee Carter, from the University of Sydney’s School of Molecular and Microbial Biosciences.
The findings are likely to have a major impact on modern medicine and could lead to a range of honey-based products to replace antibiotic and antiseptic creams.
Professor Carter’s two sons, Marty, 8 and Nicky, 6, think it’s funny the way their mother puts honey on their sores. But she swears by it, telling stories of how quickly it cures any infection.
“Honey sounds very homey and unscientific, which is why we needed the science to validate the claims made for it,” she said.
The curative properties of various types of honey have been known to indigenous cultures for thousands of years, and dressing wounds with honey was common before the advent of antibiotics.
“Most bacteria that cause infections in hospitals are resistant to at least one antibiotic, and there is an urgent need for new ways to treat and control surface infections,” Professor Carter said.
“New antibiotics tend to have short shelf lives, as the bacteria they attack quickly become resistant. Many large pharmaceutical companies have abandoned antibiotic production because of the difficulty of recovering costs. Developing effective alternatives could therefore save many lives.”
Professor Carter said the fascinating thing was that none of the bacteria researchers used to test the honey, including superbugs such as flesh-eating bacteria, built up any immunity.
She said a compound in the honey called methylglyoxal — toxic on its own — combined in unknown ways with other unidentified compounds in the honey to cause “multi-system failure” in the bacteria.
The results of the research project are published in this month’s European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases.
manuka honey
Don’t count on “likely to have a major impact on modern medicine” as stated in the article. It is a natural cure and likely to be severely repressed by the FDA, AMA and all such medical organizations. The problem is, there is no profit in it for them because it is anatural substance that cannot be patented, and besides it works without side effects or surgery that makes the money for doctors and pharmaceutical companies.
I wonder if this honey could cure staph infections of the blood…what does everyone think?
OK I’m not someone who walks around saying homeopathy is pointless, but for the sake of scientific clarity and wholeness, I do need to give you this article I remember seeing a while back: http://www.metro.co.uk/news/405720-healer-dies-after-letting-cut-foot-rot Guy used Manuka Honey on his wound and died of gangrene poisoning…
is the PROPOLIS the active part in the honey, this stuf is incredible.Whit no corporation in medical bisness PROPOLIS win VS antibiotique.
Perhaps it’s been around a long time, but since patenting will be an issue one shouldn’t hold one’s breath waiting to see it included by Big Pharma.
oh puhleeeze. its been known for decades and ALL honey( I DO mean fresh unprocessed/mixed..NOT the store bought stuff) is good for drawing wounds and healing, especially for burns. Maunuka aka teatree copped a lot of input and money and got a “special” label. yes some strains of tree produce more effective strengths , but the price ripoff due to the “scientists” and marketing is NOT justifiable.
to all the scientist in the world you can make another research on
Black seeds , since 1400 year ago the Prophet S.A.W also said about Black seeds being cure
There is nothing new in this. Our Holy book Quran revealed 1400 years ago states the honey has cure for mankind. Honey is used both as food and medicine for many diseases by muslims for centuries. .
Glory be to Allah swts the Almihgty.
Allah swts the Alknowing says in the noble Quran;
..in honey there is much good benefit.
Prophet Mohammad saws used to advice his followers to use it as medicine, e.g stomach pains.
Honey mixed with propolis works fantastic!!! Save leg of my wife.!!!!!