Research
Honey for Wound Care

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:

1. Honey floral type (some nectars contain a catalase which destroys the hydrogen peroxide)
2. 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).
3. 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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