New Zealand honey derived from the Manuka tea tree is proving to be one of the most valued natural resources in the world because of its medicinal qualities and its ability to successfully treat many health conditions, both internally and topically on the skin.

Manuka Honey is produced by bees that use the nectar from the flowers of a particular plant that is indigenous to New Zealand (leptospermum scoparium). Many reports suggest that this unique type of honey contains extraordinary healing properties not found in other types of honey or even some medicines. It has been determined that Manuka Honey's curative properties are largely due to the presence of certain compounds such as a substance known as methylglyoxal, UMF and other floral nectar components from the Manuka plant.

Manuka honey is distinctively flavored, darker and richer in taste than other types of honey and has powerful antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. The finest quality Manuka honey with the most potent antimicrobial properties is produced from beehives placed in wild, uncultivated areas with abundant growth of Manuka bushes.

When taken internally, Manuka Honey has been used to treat conditions such as stomach ulcers, strep throat, acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome, gastritis and other gastrointestinal complications. It has even proven effective in relieving sore throats, stomach aches, and cold/flu symptoms. For internal conditions, it is recommended that a teaspoon of Manuka honey be taken about a half hour before meals. Anecdotal studies have shown that this treatment modality can be more effective than most traditional forms of medicine.

When used topically on the skin, Manuka honey has been used to treat acne, wounds, bacterial and fungal infections, burns, eczema and other forms of dermatitis. Among Manuka honey's many accolades is its ability to eradicate the MRSA bacterium which is responsible for causing antibiotic-resistant Staph infections. For topical applications, Manuka honey should be applied directly to affected areas. To avoid stickiness, it is recommended to use skin care products containing Manuka Honey. New York-based manufacturer, Honeymark, has developed non-sticky Manuka Honey applications.

"Manuka Honey has many uses as a natural healing agent and is becoming very popular as a viable alternative to antibiotics and other traditional forms of medication," says Frank Buonanotte, CEO of Honeymark International. "It frequently outperforms medicine without the risk of negative side effects. Those who are unfamiliar with Manuka honey will begin to hear a lot more of it in the future. It's the next generation of natural healing."

In order to take advantage of all that Manuka Honey has to offer, it is recommend that a potency of UMF 10 or higher is used.