Can Products With Manuka Honey Really Help My Eczema?

The term eczema refers to a variety of chronic, itchy skin inflammations.  In the most common forms, atopic dermatitis or atopic eczema, these inflammations are often characterized by redness and desiccation, and can also become sites for invasive secondary infections by microbial pathogens; such as bacteria, fungi or viruses.

There are a variety of treatments for eczema from corticosteroids to biofeedback and behavior modification.  But what appears to be working for many are skincare products made with honey from the nectar of the Manuka bush (Leptospermum scoparium).  Found in areas of New Zealand and Australia, the Manuka (from M?ori 'm?nuka'), also called the ea tree? is the nectar source for bees producing honey shown to have very high antiseptic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Anti-microbial And Soothing to Skin

It was known almost 100 years ago that bee honey offered antimicrobial properties and in the last 40 years researchers noticed that honeys derived from different plants provided different levels of this protection.   Honey inhibits infections in several ways ?its significant concentration of sugar and low water content inhibits bacterial growth - but it’s the generation of hydrogen peroxide using the enzyme glucose oxidase that makes one honey more antiseptic than others.  And researchers have found that hydrogen peroxide is created only when the honey is diluted, at which point a "slow-release" of this antiseptic is created which fights infections but doesn’t damage human tissue. This means that packaging Manuka Honey in skin creams and ointments actually enhances this naturally occurring benefit.

UMF ?The Right Strength of Manuka Honey for You

Eczema can be extremely difficult to treat.  However, in clinical studies at the Department of Biological Sciences, University of Waikato, New Zealand there is rising evidence that Manuka Honey is more effective than even traditional medical treatments because of a second antibacterial component that works synergistically with the hydrogen peroxide producing enzyme to reduce secondary infections and inflammation. This second component was identified in 2008 at the University of Dresden, Germany, as methylglyoxal and is now designated as UMF for Unique Manuka Factor, a designation created by the Active Manuka Honey Association as the standardized unit to show how much of this anti-microbial material is in any Manuka Honey product.  UMF ratings range from 1 up to 20 where the number in the rating the approximate equivalent to the same percentage strength of a standard antiseptic.  So a UMF 7 is equivalent to a 7% strength antiseptic; UMF5 ?UMF15 is considered ideal for cuts, grazes, burns, fungal infections and wounds.

FDA Approval for Wounds

No treatment eczema and other forms of dermatitis works overnight but, with regular application, Manuka Honey products can be extremely effective in reducing itching and inflammation, healing damage to skin, reducing scars, and promoting new cell growth.
In July 2007 a company called Derma Sciences, Inc. announced that it had received approval from the Food & Drug Administration to sell a wound dressing product with Active Manuka Honey in it.  So the evidence that Active Manuka Honey products are effective for skin problems is growing.

Manuka Naturals Active UMF15+ Skin Care ?Effective for All Types of Dermatitis and Inflammations Manuka Naturals is the exclusive U.S. distributor of the premier Active Manuka Honey manufacturer in New Zealand. In fact, our New Zealand parent company supplies the product used in clinical studies at University of Waikato, New Zealand.

Manuka Honey Skincare products combine UMF15+ Active Manuka Honey with a rich formulation of protein, vitamins and minerals to create a line of 100% natural, non-tacky skin creams with the outstanding ability to nourish, soothe and heal sensitive skin. Our products have no fragrance added and are not tested on animals.

Our customers have written testimonials on a variety of skin conditions including eczema, burns, poison oak inflammations, insect bites, acne, early onset shingles and heat rash.  Visit our easy website and read their experiences and order your relief today!
www.manukanaturals.bigcartel.com

2 November 2009