‘Manuka Health Demystified‘ sponsored by Savant

To download a PDF of the presentation, click here.

 

Questions and Answers:

 

• Manuka Honey in the UK has a UMF grading/rating – how does that compare to the MGO rating?
  MGO and UMF are both trusted and reliable grading systems for Manuka honey based on the latest science. They both measure MGO – methylglyoxal, the key active in Manuka honey – and for both, the higher the MGO level the higher the number and the higher the antibacterial strength.
  The difference between the numbers is that the MGO rating number is a scientific measure that directly reflects the amount of MGO content in the honey (ie MGO100+ contains at least 100mg per kg of honey), whereas the UMF rating number is a simple representative scale.
  Please also see slides 24-25 of the presentation for more on rating systems, and a comparison chart to correlate the MGO vs UMF numbers. Also shown here: http://www.manukahealth.co.nz/en-nz/manuka-honey/what-is-mgo/

 

• What is the highest possible MGO or UMF?
  The highest MGO Manuka honey we produce is MGO850+;
  the UMF scale goes up to UMF25+ (equivalent to MGO1200+) however it can be very difficult to find this strength; UMF20+ (equivalent to MGO829+) is commonly the highest you can find on shelf.

 

• What would you consider to be a high MGO honey in number?
  Anything over MGO400 is considered a high strength Manuka honey, but the higher the number the stronger the antibacterial activity.

 

• How about storage? Fridge or in the dark?
  Honey is best kept at room temperature out of direct light. Do not refrigerate as this can cause crystallisation, and do not expose to high heat as this can damage the natural properties of the honey.

 

• How long do the properties last in the jar?
  Manuka Health’s Manuka Honey is guaranteed to maintain its MGO content for the duration of its shelf life (4 years). MGO is stable in the honey, and we also ensure there is an overage of MGO when the product is packed – this is why there is a + after the number ie MGO100+ means there is guaranteed to be at least 100mg/kg of MGO in that product for the duration of its shelf life. Every batch is tested for the 3^rd time once it is packed to ensure the MGO level is true to label.

 

• Does it taste like other honey? Or does it have a specific flavour?
  Manuka honey has quite a rich complex flavour. It is still a lovely flavoursome and sweet tasting honey but has a more earthy mineral undertone compared to other light floral honeys.

 

• Is Manuka health raw honey? if heat is used what kind of temperature is used?
  Our honey is not pasteurised or heat treated, and is protected during extraction, processing and storage, keeping to natural temperatures. To allow us to cream the honey and get it into the jar it does have to be gently warmed for a very short period of time, but this does not damage the honey and every batch undergoes quality testing.

 

• Will manuka degrade if added to patients mug of tea? Instead of sugar?
  We recommend avoiding adding Manuka honey to boiling water, however it can be safely added to warm drinks once they have cooled a bit. Note that if there is milk in the tea the proteins in the milk may degrade the MGO to some degree. For best effects MGO Manuka Honey is best taken away from foods.

 

• Does it only kill bad bacteria? Or good bacteria too?
  Research shows that Manuka Honey does not interfere with beneficial bacteria in the body. It does not have a strong antibacterial action in the lower bowel as the MGO is degraded by this time.

 

• Does it affect people allergic to pollen?
  No it does not usually cause any problems for people allergic to pollen as any contained pollen in the honey is eaten rather than inhaled. In fact some people swear by eating honey to prevent pollen allergies by way of desensitising through low daily exposure, although in this case a local honey would be the best choice.

 

• Could you please elaborate on how much dilution would be recommended for nasal irrigation/rhinosinusitis?
  The two studies referred to in the presentation used 10% dilution and 16.5% dilution – twice daily as a nasal wash or spray for 4 weeks.

 

• Is there any history of traditional use for urinary tract infections?
  While in vitro research has shown Manuka honey to be effective against the bacteria that commonly cause UTI’s, there is no evidence that eating Manuka honey is helpful for urinary tract infections as the active ingredient MGO is not absorbed into the body.

 

• What about Warts?
  There is no evidence that Manuka honey is active against the wart virus. I would suggest topical Propolis as a more specific treatment.

 

• What about using for vaginal yeast infections/candidiasis? Coating tampon perhaps?
  I would not suggest Manuka honey for vaginal yeast infections or candidiasis. There is no strong evidence that it is effective against Candida albicans and I would be reluctant to introduce a high sugar substance into the vagina in this case. Propolis would be more specific for this condition.

 

• Will Honey taken internally help with acne and/or herpes, or does it have to be topical?
  Manuka honey should be applied topically for acne and herpes infections.

 

• I have a patient with cellulitis on her lower leg. She is currently using antibiotics, however can she use manuka as a preventative on this area, as she is prone to cellulitis?
  Yes high MGO Manuka Honey would be useful for cellulitis – however I would recommend to use a medical grade Manuka honey in serious wound care such as this.

 

• Any use as a diluted eye wash for bacterial conjunctivitis?
  There is some indication that Manuka honey can be used for eye conditions however I would only use medical grade products that have been specifically produced for this purpose – not using food grade Manuka honey. See http://www.melcare.com/our_products.html

 

• What about using the honey as part of chronic inflammatory conditions such as immunomodulation in autoimmune disease or anti-inflammatory effect in depression etc?
  The research showing immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory activity for Manuka honey is mostly based on topical use. However it may be of benefit by supporting digestive tract health and reducing bowel inflammation, thus also modulating immune activity in the gut.

 

• Any use for Cystic Fibrosis?
  In vitro research has shown Manuka honey is active against infectious respiratory bacteria common in people with cystic fibrosis. The researchers concluded ‘We believe that manuka honey may have a role to play in the management of cystic fibrosis patients with chronic respiratory infections’ however clinical trials are needed to prove efficacy. You can read the research paper here https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4398880/

 

• How about Manuka honey and psoriasis?
  Yes Manuka honey can be applied topically to psoriasis. It aids hydration, soothes and calms inflammation and aids healing.

 

• With wound healing does the honey have to be applied with a plaster on top or just applied and let to soak in?
  It is best to apply the honey to the wound then cover with a dressing or plaster to keep it contained and on the wound site, and prevent contamination.

 

• Would dressing not pull honey and therefore wound off
  One of the benefits of honey for wound care is that creates a protective layer to keep the dressing from adhering to the fragile wound tissue and causing damage on removal.

 

• Can it be used for scalds that have blistered?
  Yes it can be used in this case.

 

• Do you produce the sterile manuka honey for wound care?
  Manuka Health’s medical grade Manuka honey wound care range is currently being redeveloped. We hope to have new products within the next 6-12 months.

 

• The benefits of manuka on mucosal ulcers in the mouth after chemo – what is your view on the sugar in this feeding the cancer?
  The Manuka honey is applied topically to help heal the oral lesions. I do not have any concerns about the use of Manuka honey in this case.