Medicinal Western Australian Honey better than Manuka

I recently wrote and article about how modern science had finally discovered what ancient healers have known for centuries - that honey has some incredible healing properties.
Today I want to talk to you about the amazing  Australian Medicinal Honeys and in particular, those from Western Australia.

While many people have heard of the medicinal value of New Zealand's Manuka Honey, it has only recently come to light that many Australian Honeys are significantly more effective in healing wounds than their New Zealand counterpart.

A recent ABC news article explained that an Australian native myrtle honey had the highest level of anti-bacterial properties than any other honey (including Manuka Honey) in the world ref1.

And when it comes to WA honeys, our very own Red Gum (Marri), Jarrah and Karri Honeys also have a higher anti- bacterial effect than Manuka Honey.2

Honey from the red gum marri, jarrah and karri forests are particularly useful in wound care - because they have a high concentration of Glucose Oxidase which converts to a strong anti bacterial that helps to fight infection, encourages skin repair and soothes inflammation.

You see in a 2007 study of Australian honeys it was found that 18 of 19 Jarrah samples, all 3 Karri and 8 out of 9 samples of Marri (Red Gum) rated very high in anti-microbial activity - higher in fact than the much publicised Manuka Honey2.

The great news is that these particular honeys have been found to be very effective in the fight against MRSA - Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus - Golden Staph, which responds poorly to most antibiotics!

So it looks like here at Moon Haven we have been on the right track all along as we have been using both Red Gum honey and beeswax in many of our products since the day we opened our doors - over 10 years ago. We knew that the natural, raw honey and beeswax that we use was rich and nurturing to the skin ...that it gave extra benefits to our salves and ointments,  but now we have a little more insight as to what the exact mechanisms are and how it all works.

References

1.Honey study produces sweet result for medicine

Posted Tue Mar 1, 2011 http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/03/01/3152286.htm

[2] Survey of the antimicrobial activity of Australian honey, Julie Irish, Dee Carter, Shona Blair School of Molecular and Microbial Biosciences University of Sydney July, 2007

Honey Secrets of the Ancients - Re-Discovered

You may find it surprising that the sweet sticky liquid we spread on our toast each morning is now regarded as the NEW Miracle cure for a number of common ailments…when it has been under our noses and on our taste buds for millenia.

In fact we know from texts left in Egyptian tombs and jars of honey found in the pyramids alongside the pharaonic sarcophagi that honey was revered in Ancient Egypt as a healer and soother of all types of ailments.

Jars of this precious liquid were taken into battle and used to treat the wounds of the most noble and senior warriors. Cleopatra was said to keep her youthful complexion by bathing in milk infused with honey and honey was used as an after sun treatment for sunburnt skin.

Clinical Studies – Medical Uses of Honey
Yet it is only recently that the scientific world has taken a closer look at honey and its properties.

In recent research it was found that the devastating and difficult to treat Golden Staph infections caused by Staphylococcus aureas, and the organism responsible for thrush (Candida albicans) were unable to grow in honey. Consequently some modern forms of wound care incorporate the use of medicinal honey and natural beeswax into their standard treatment regimes.
Not only has honey and other bee products been used for dealing with infections but it in separate research it has been found to be useful in treating psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis and nappy rash.
And most surprisingly of all in clinical trials, a beeswax, honey and olive oil salve was found to be an excellent medium to treat hemorrhoids and anal fissures. For the actual studies see the references at the end of this article)

So its no wonder that our clients are getting such great results from using our beeswax salves

• Chickweed and Plantain Salve (for eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis)
• Calendula Salve (for nappy rash, cracked nipples, soothing skin)
• Soothing Salve (great for cracked heels, skin and dry and distressed areas of skin)
• Achy Breaky Rub (muscle and joint aches and pains
• Universal Herbal Ointment (skin and wound healing, cold sores, insect bites etc)

(you can even smell the yummy honey in each of these salves…because we use natural, unprocessed straight from the bee-to-the-apiarist-to-you beeswax which is chock full of natural, unadulterated honey goodness. )

Next Time… Australian Medicinal Honeys and how to use them
Next post I’ll write about some exciting new research and developments regarding Australian Honeys and their incredible properites… and how you can best use these in everyday life!

This article was written by Leonie Gully - www.moonhaven.com.au 's  founder and master formulator.  Leonie likes to share her extensive experience in the natural healing field with others.  If you have a question or would like to know more about anything relating to this or any other article please contact her through the moon haven website.

(REFERENCES: Mixture of honey, beeswax and olive oil inhibits growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans Al-Waili Noori S. ; Archives of medical research 2005, vol. 36, no1, pp. 10-13. (Noori S. Al-Waili Dubai Specialized Medical Center and Medical Research Laboratories, Islamic Establishment for Education, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
The safety and efficacy of a mixture of honey, olive oil and beeswax for the management of hemorrhoids and anal fissure: A pilot study -Al-Waili, Noori S. ; Saloom, Khelod S.; Al-Waili, Thia N.; Al-Waili, Ali N. Complementary Therapies in Medicine Volume 11, Issue 4, December 2003, Pages 226-234 )