The Unique Manuka Factor (UMF) is an antibacterial property which is present in
some types of honey found in New Zealand. This honey is produced by bees that utilize the nectar from the flowers that grow on the Manuka Tea Tree (Leptospermum Scoparium). It has been discovered that Manuka Honey has healing properties not found in other types of honey and can, in some circumstances, outperform medicine.
In New Zealand, a rating system exists that measures the antibacterial potency of Manuka Honey. The UMF rating system goes on a scale from 0 to 30. It is generally accepted that Manuka Honey with a UMF rating of 10 or higher is considered to be active and suitable for therapeutic use. Manuka Honey with a UMF rating of 0-9 may not have the potency to be used medicinally.
The higher the UMF rating, the higher the antibacterial potency. However, Manuka Honey with an extraordinarily high UMF rating is not desirable because it is very rare, extremely expensive and in a sense, overly potent. There have been some reports of people experiencing sensitivity to Manuka Honey with an extraordinarily high UMF rating (i.e. UMF 25-30).
There are reports of Manuka Honey UMF 10 being capable
of erradicating the MRSA bacterium, which is one of the most resilient
bacteria on the face of the planet. Therefore, it is recommended that a
medicum range be used for medicinal purposes (i.e. UMF 10-18).
The
UMF rating system should not be confused with the actual meaning of the
Unique Manuka Factor. The UMF trademark is owned by the Active Manuka
Honey Industry in New Zealand. The Unique Manuka Factor is the actual
component found in Manuka Honey that accounts for a portion of its
antibacterial properties.
There are also other components
pressent in Manuka Honey that account for its healing ability.
Methylglyoxal for one, it's acidity for another and its ability to
produce low levels of hydrogen peroxide when applied topically to the
skin.
One fact that is consistant is that Manuka Honey has an
ingredible ability to successful treat a wide variety of health
conditions including but not limited to the following:
