Honey is one of the oldest known sweeteners. It has been an essential part of our diet since earliest times and there is increased interest in its culinary and health properties. Not only is it delicious to eat, honey is hailed for its medicinal properties – it is anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal and packed with highly valuable nutrients.
All honey has some naturally occurring antibacterial qualities (peroxide activity). This is due to the high levels of sugar in the honey, therefore fewer water molecules, which makes it hard for bacteria to grow. Hydrogen Peroxide can easily be damaged by light and heat. This is one of the reasons why at Sweetree Honey we are very careful not to damage our honey with heat, so all our honeys retain some antibacterial properties.
Some Manuka honey has a special healing quality that occurs when the bee takes manuka nectar and adds a honey ripening enzyme as they are storing the honey in the hive. This healing quality has a special antibacterial activity, it gives a wider range and greater antibacterial power and allows the honey to absorb deeper into human tissue. This special component is only found in NZ Manuka and Australian Jellybush honey. In New Zealand it is usually called 'Active Manuka'. Manuka honey is a truly amazing natural, therapeutic food that can be used heal internally and externally. It is highly affective in treating wounds, burns, acne, ringworm and other skin conditions. Consumed regularly manuka honey can help relieve joint pain, improve sore throats, coughs, colds, relief stomach ulcers, lower blood pressure, nourish & heal skin, and increase immunity to sustain great health, naturally.
