Why Using Manuka Honey for Eczema Works

If you do a bit of research online, you’ll find plenty of uses for Manuka honey (besides eating, that is!) and it’ll make you wonder how one substance can be so versatile. From wound care to cancer treatment, the potential benefits of Manuka honey are now being taken seriously by the scientific community and there’s lots of research going on. The value of Manuka honey in the treatment of eczema is ongoing, developing into skin care specific to eczema skin treatments and there’s plenty of evidence that shows it can help! Continue reading to learn why manuka hon for eczema is a must to try.

Honey and Health

Honey has long been known to have health benefits, with the ancient Greeks and Romans exploiting the healing properties of honey thousands of years ago. It’s known to have an antibacterial quality which helps in wound management, so was a popular treatment method during the First World War and now commonly used in hospital burn units.

More recently, however, the use of honey in medicine has expanded from the well-established wound dressing industry and is considered to be helpful in preventing acid reflux, gastroenteritis in infants, treating allergies, gum disease, and infections as well as relieving colds.

What is known with manuka honey, in particular, is that the mechanisms of its antimicrobial activity are different from antibiotics. The antibacterial activity of honey seems to be due to a number of factors including its acidity and sugar content, which are low enough and high enough respectively to inhibit the growth of most micro-organisms; its hydrogen peroxide component, which again inhibits micro-organism growth; and plant-derived components which can be unique to different kinds of honey.

Application of Manuka honey to the skin is thought to help in killing harmful bacteria, reducing or removing the incidence of eczema outbreaks and has since become a main staple in eczema relief options. By treating the eczema-affected area it’s thought to help keep the zone moist and therefore help reduce flare-ups and aids the skin’s recovery from its dry, scaly patches. The high viscosity of honey is also thought to form a barrier for the skin and prevent infection in the first place!

Manuka honey has antibacterial properties over and above other types of honey, and is the most used type of honey in the treatment of a wide range of illnesses and ailments including, eczema and psoriasis!

What is Manuka Honey and Why is it so Special?

Now you know the history and science behind manuka honey, but what makes it different than any bear-shaped bottle of honey at the supermarket? Manuka honey is produced by bees which gather pollen off the Manuka bush that is native to only New Zealand and select areas of Australia.

Manuka honey is particularly potent because it has high levels of a compound called dihydroxyacetone, which is present in the nectar of Manuka flowers. This chemical produces methylglyoxal, a compound of antibacterial and cell-killing properties.

Research has shown Manuka honey to have a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity and that it is able to act upon more than 80 species of pathogens (a pathogen is a bacterium, virus or other micro-organisms which can cause disease). It’s even been demonstrated that honey can inhibit pathogens normally capable of causing wound infection, including strains that are resistant to conventional antibiotics. In addition, there are early trials suggesting that Manuka honey may be helpful in reducing skin inflammation, which in turn can promote healing.

Using Manuka Honey to Treat Eczema

While eating manuka honey is ideal for your internal health, using it for your skin has just the same effect for the outside of your body. By applying manuka honey to eczema suffering skin it can help by:

• Keeping the skin moist, which helps to reduce or remove the incidence of eczema flare-ups
• Reducing inflammation, which in turn can aid healing
• Inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria, including Staphylococcus, commonly found on eczema-prone skin

Consumption of Manuka honey is also thought to boost the immune system – it makes sense to foster a healthy immune system when trying to reduce the impact of eczema. By working manuka honey into both your diet and skin care regimen, you should see a true change to your skin condition! For the best manuka honey skin care products, make sure to visit Wild Naturals to discover the best and most potent results out there!