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Varicose
and Skin Ulcers, Diabetic Ulcers, Wounds, Burns, Boils, Pressure
Sores, Cracked Skin, Acne, Atopic Eczema
Studies and clinical trials are showing that high activity
UMF Manuka Honey provides an optimum germ-free moist wound-healing
environment which supports and facilitates the natural healing
of varicose and skin ulcers, diabetic ulcers, pressure sores,
wounds, burns, boils, cracked skin ,cuts and grazes.
A very successful clinical trial using UMF Manuka Honey on
unresponsive skin ulcers and chronic wounds was carried out
at Waikato Hospital, Hamilton, New Zealand, in 1999-2000
The following information has been gathered from some of
the many reports about the healing qualities of honey. The
relevant reports are listed in the Bibliography later in this
section.
Medical studies
are showing that a moist wound environment produces the best
healing results.
• Moist healing
speeds up the healing process. Tissue regrowth is slowed if
a wound dries.
•
Moist healing results in less scarring. A scab (dried serum)
is the bodys natural attempt to keep a wound moist.
But the type of cell growth under a scab results
in a pitted scar. A totally moist environment prevents the
development of scabs.
• A
moist wound environment is less painful, requires fewer dressing
changes and produces better cosmetic results. If
dressings stick to the scab of a dry wound, when the dressings
are changed the scab is torn off, causing pain and
also the tearing away of newly re-grown skin tissue.
But
Bacterial Infection Develops in a Moist Environment
A wound will not heal if infected or inflamed.
Honey can
provide a germ-free moist wound healing environment
Honey applied to wounds provides a moist wound environment,
could deal with bacterial infection and it nourishes new growing
tissue.
But the
Antibacterial Potency of Honey Varies
Honey heals primarily because of a hydrogen peroxide antibacterial
activity. When honey comes into contact with body moisture
the glucose oxidase enzyme introduced to the honey by the
bee slowly releases the antiseptic hydrogen peroxide.
This is released at sufficient levels to be effective against
bacteria but not tissue damaging.
But the hydrogen peroxide antibacterial activity in honey
can vary widely according to:
Honey floral type (some nectars contain a catalase which
destroys the hydrogen peroxide)
How the honey has been handled, especially during processing
(the glucose oxidase enzyme which produces hydrogen peroxide
is easily destroyed by heat, fluid and sunlight).
The hydrogen peroxide can be broken down by a catalase enzyme
present in body tissue and serum, so reducing the antibacterial
potency when used on a wound or infection.
UMF antibacterial
property is more stable and more powerful making it very effective
for wound care
Laboratory research has shown that:
1. The UMF antibacterial property is very stable
and not easily destroyed.
2. The UMF property is not affected by the enzyme
catalase present in the tissues and serum of the body
(this catalase breaks down the hydrogen peroxide).
3. In the laboratory the UMF property has been
found to be more effective than the hydrogen peroxide activity
against the most common bacteria infecting wounds
4. UMF Manuka Honey has both the hydrogen peroxide
antibacterial activity common to most honeys as
well as the UMF antibacterial activity.
There is evidence that
the two antibacterial components (hydrogen peroxide and UMF
together may have a synergistic
action their combined effect is greater than the sum of the
parts - making UMF Manuka
Honey doubly potent and effective.
UMF Manuka
Honey can assist wound healing because:
1. Antibacterial and rapidly clears infecting bacteria,
including antibiotic-resistant strains. UMF Manuka Honey
has both the hydrogen peroxide property common to most honeys
and the more powerful UMF antibacterial
property. These two properties together are believed to have
a synergistic effect enhancing
the effectiveness of each other.
2. UMF antibacterial property can diffuse deeply into
skin tissues, so that it can reach deep-seated infections.
The hydrogen peroxide property
cannot penetrate tissues.
3. The glucose oxidase enzyme which produces hydrogen
peroxide needs oxygen, but the phytochemical
UMF does not.
So it could remain effective
even when smothered by wound dressings or in wound cavities.
4. Cleans wounds. Honey has a debriding effect.
The osmotic effect of honey lifts
dirt out of the wound bed.
5. Dressings do not stick to the surface of the wound allowing
easy removal of dressings.
The osmotic effect of the honey keeps
the wound moist, clean and prevents the dressing sticking
to the wound. Tissue damage and pain
are reduced when dressings are changed as there is no tearing
away of newly formed tissue. Healing is more rapid.
6. Reduces scarring. The honey draws body fluids and nutrients
to the wound area and so assists cell growth
and prevents a scar forming as the wound is kept moist.
Honey provides nutrients (vitamins,
minerals and amino acids) to tissues
7. Promotes more rapid healing because the honey stimulates
tissue regeneration.
* Angiogenesis is stimulated new blood vessel growth
giving oxygen and nutrients to the tissues.
* Fibroblast growth is stimulated by hydrogen peroxide.
* Epithelial cell growth is stimulated these cells grow
level with the skin so that no scab is formed and so
no scarring and hypertrophication.
8. Acidity of honey releases oxygen from haemoglobin new growing
cells need oxygen. Honey stimulates
the white blood cells.
9. Hydrogen peroxide in honey has an insulin-like effect and
promotes wound healing. Insulin is a growth
hormone
10. Anti-inflammatory action of honey soothes and promotes
healing, reduces pain and swelling
11. Honey forms a protective barrier to prevent cross-infection
of wounds.
12. Honey removes malodour from wounds by killing the bacteria
which produce ammonia
13. Honey does not damage the surrounding tissue
14. Honey minimizes the need for grafting
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