Research
Clinical Trial and Case Studies

A very successful Clinical trial was carried out (1999-2000) at Waikato Hospital, Hamilton, New Zealand, using UMF rated Manuka Honey on unresponsive skin ulcers and chronic wounds.

Pilot Trial of Honey as a Wound Dressing by Betts, JA and Molan, PC
Consenting patients with chronic wounds that were infected, heavily colonised or had a history of recurrent infection were recruited.
Wounds were dressed with manuka honey with standardized antibacterial activity (UMF rated manuka honey was used for this trial). No antibiotics or other antibacterial agents were used.
Successful healing was achieved with venous leg ulcers, leg ulcers of mixed aetiology, diabetic foot ulcers, pressure ulcers, unhealed graft donor sites, abscesses, boils, pilonidal sinuses, and infected wounds from lower limb surgery.
Only wounds with arterial insufficiency did not heal.
Infection was rapidly cleared, including wounds infected with Pseudomonas or MRSA.
Conclusion: With appropriate dressing techniques and honey with assured antibacterial activity it is possible to get excellent healing rates using honey for the treatment of infected chronic wounds.

Published Clinical Reports:

1. MRSA. Reports by Dunford et al 2000; Betts & Molan 2001; Natarajan et al 2001
Three published clinical case studies showing remarkable results when UMF rated Manuka Honey was used on wounds infected with MRSA.
The honey used was UMF12. (Source: Manuka Honey As A Medicine by PC Molan)

2. Abscess. Report by Cooper et al 2001
Patient had suffered from an infected abscess for 22 years.
The wound healed completely a month after applying UMF rated Manuka Honey (UMF13 was used).
Prior to the start of honey treatment the wound had not responded to a wide range of conventional treatments.
It is still clear of infection two years later. (Sources: 1. Manuka Honey As A Medicine by PC Molan; and 2. Waikato Times Article in News section)

3. Infected surgical wound. Report by Robson et al 2000 A large surgical wound heavily infected with Pseudomonas.
Infection rapidly cleared by application of UMF rated Manuka Honey (UMF12). (Source: Manuka Honey as a Medicine by PC Molan 2001)

4. Skin ulcers from menginoccal septicaemia. Report by Dunford et al 2000
Widespread serious skin ulcers resulting from meningococcal septicaemia. Ulcers were heavily infected with Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus and were not responding to conventional treatments (including amputation) over a period of nine months in intensive care.
Responded rapidly to treatment with UMF rated Manuka Honey (UMF12). (Source: Manuka Honey as a Medicine by PC Molan; and Case Study)

Anecdotal Reports
Many medical professionals are using UMF rated Manuka Honey and getting good results in patients with wounds that have not responded to standard treatment.

1. Staff from a large hospital in Brisbane, Australia, used UMF rated Manuka Honey as a wound dressing on a patient for whom honey without UMF failed. The medical professionals there found much more rapid healing with the UMF rated Manuka Honey than with that which did not have UMF
In other hospitals clinicians have likewise noted improvement in healing rates when changing from other honey to manuka honey with a high UMF rating.
(Source: The Unique Properties of Manuka Honey by Peter Molan 1999)

2. Some New Zealand private hospitals have reported seeing amazing results from applying SummerGlow UMF16 Manuka Honey to formerly unresponsive leg and skin ulcers, diabetic ulcers, pressure sores, wounds, rashes.

3.These reports are supported by the numerous anecdotal testimonies from people who have successfully used SummerGlow UMF16 Manuka Honey on skin ulcers, diabetic ulcers, wounds, burns, boils, eczema, dermatitis, etc

Selection of Honey for Wound Care and Treatment of Infection
Care must be taken to select a honey which has assured antibacterial activity.
UMF rated Manuka Honey is specially tested for antibacterial activity and selected for sale based on its level of activity.
The name UMF indicates the honey has a high antibacterial component.
Most manuka honey does not have the UMF property making that which does a very unique and sought after honey.
It is identified by the name UMF and its level clearly displayed on the front label.
Look for the name UMF and the level

Bibliography

1. Manuka Honey As a Medicine by Molan PC 2001, Honey Research Unit Website
2. The Unique Properties of Manuka Honey by Molan PC, Bee Informed 1999
3. What is Special About Manuka Honey?by Molan PC, Honey Research Unit Website
4. The Way Honey is Used as a Wound Dressing by Molan PC, Honey Research Unit Website
5. A Pilot Trial of Honey as a Wound Dressing by Betts JA & Molan PC.
6. Selection of Honey for the Treatment of Infections by Molan PC, Honey Research Unit Website
7. Honey for Wound Healing by Molan PC, Honey Research Unit Website
   

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