Has Active Manuka Honey been researched?
The UMF Activity in Manuka Honey has been described by Molan and Russell (1998) and Allen (1991). The substance has so far not been identified. Westen (1999) found that the activity was not caused by the phenolics (including flavonoids) found in Manuka Honey. Honey has been shown in laboratory studies to have antibacterial activity against the 7 most common species of bacteria found in wounds. Minimum dilutions varied depending on the species of bacteria and the type of activity, but complete inhibition was shown for all species at below 10% honey concentration. Manuka Honey that showed UMF activity was effective in killing Staphylococcus aureus, the most common wound-infection species, at 1,8% honey concentration (Willix 1992). Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strains have also been tested against both types of activity, with complete inhibition shown at 10% honey concentration (Molan 1996). Research has shown a link between gastritis and peptic ulcers and the bacteria Helicobac
