What is UMF® ? One of the first scientists to study the benefits of Manuka Honey is Associate Professor in Biochemistry, Peter Molan from the University of Waikato in Hamilton, New Zealand. He began to research the Manuka Honey benefits since 1981 when he discovered that some samples of Manuka Honey contain a non-peroxide component.

WARNING: DO NOT CONFUSE ACTIVE MANUKA HONEY UMF 20+ OR MGO 400+ WITH ACTIVE MANUKA HONEY 20+. IF THE HONEY IS NOT LABELED WITH UMF OR MGO, YOU ARE BUYING TABLE HONEY. Tests conducted proved that after adding a catalase to the samples of Manuka Honey in order to remove the hydrogen peroxide, some samples still had a significant antibacterial activity. Dr. Peter Molan named this non-peroxide element UMF®, Unique Manuka Factor. He proved that not all Manuka Honey has UMF® and that not all levels of UMF® have antibacterial, antiviral or antiseptic benefits. The most powerful antibacterial levels start at a UMF® level of 16+ up to 24+. The higher the UMF® level, the higher the health benefits of Manuka Honey.

Dr. Molan's researches proved some of Manuka Honey benefits as the most powerful bacteria killer even when diluted 10 times. He recommends Manuka Honey especially for people with weak immune systems.

 

Manuka Honey Research
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Learn more about Manuka Honey Research.

Laboratory tests found the UMF® property to be effective against a wide variety of bacteria including Helicobacter Pylori( known to cause most stomach ulcers), Staphylococcus Aureus( Staph), Escherichia Coli ( the most common cause of MRSA and other infected wounds) and Streptococcus Pyogenes( which causes sore throat) ...

UMF® or MGO™ ?

"Scientists uncover key to Manuka Honey's benefits"

This is the title of an article in The New Zealand Herald on July 3rd 2007, bringing the news that the UMF ingredient studied by scientists for over 15 years was identified as Methylglyoxal (MGO™) by a team a researchers from Dresden, Germany, led by Professor Dr. Thomas Henle, head of the Institute of Food Chemistry at the Technical University of Dresden.
Professor Henle refers to the results of the study as it " unambiguously demonstrates for the first time that Methylglyoxal is directly responsible for the antibacterial activity of Manuka honey." He also notes that the high amounts of Methylglyoxal found in Manuka honey were not found in any other food.

Methylglyoxal occurs in all types of honey, however the concentration level is normally between 1 and 10 mg/kg.
What makes Manuka honey extremely potent is the level of Methylglyoxal of between 100 and 1000mg/kg.

The higher the concentration of Methylglyoxal the stronger the antibacterial quality of Manuka honeys and the higher the Manuka Honey benefits are. A Methylglyoxal level of 400 mg/kg and higher in the Manuka honey gives it the power to destroy a very large number of destructive microorganisms, viruses and bacteria.

Here are some of the best results of Methylglyoxal mg/kg level found in other foods:

Yogurt	less than 2mg/kg
Cheese	4-11 mg/kg
Wine	less than 2 mg/kg
Coffee	23-47 mg/kg
Other honeys	0-10 mg/kg

Manuka Honey, a Superior Food

The results of the Dresden scientific studies show that the MGO™ Manuka Honey is a superior food and it can be regarded as a medical food. The high levels of Methylglyoxal found in MGO™ Manuka Honey are used in a wide range of applications from internal uses such as stomach ulcers and mouth diseases to external uses that treat skin conditions and wound infections.

Here are some of the affections that MGO™Manuka Honey has been known to have a great impact on:

Internal Uses	External Uses
Sore Throat Stomach Ulcer Stomach Pain Gum Disease Acid Reflux Disease Aches and Pains Arthritis Heartburn Diarrhea Constipation IBM	Athlete's Foot Ring Worm Insect Bites Acne and Rosacea Eczema and Dermatitis Rashes MRS/ Staph Infections Chronic Wounds Pressure Sores Surgical Wounds Psoriasis Cold Sores Candida Albicans Burns Nail Fungus Skin Ulcers

NEW ZEALAND Manuka Tree(Tea Tree) Found only in New Zealand, MGO™ Manuka Honey is a 100% natural, raw, un pasteurized food with proven results in antibacterial, antiseptic and antiviral activity due to the active ingredient Dietary Methylglyoxal. The results of the scientific studies conducted in Dresden, Germany are opening the avenues for other research teams to implement the health benefits of Manuka Honey in medical tests meant to prevent and cure other diseases. Every batch of Manuka Honey is different and all batches are tested at The Production Facilities to determine the level of UMF® of MGO™ in each batch.

New Zealand Manuka Tree in Bloom

 

WARNING:

Not all Manuka Honey contains the active ingredient Methylglyoxal.
Manuka Honey with levels of activity less that UMF 16+ ,MGO 250+ does not have powerfull antibacterial, antiviral, antiseptic benefits.

When seeking the health benefits of Manuka Honey, one must pay great attention at the variety of products available on the Market.
Rule of thumb: a Manuka Honey label must contain the words active umf(mgo) manuka honey followed by a number. If the indication is only active, you are not purchasing the Manuka Honey with significant amounts of Methylglyoxal beneficial to naturally healing several affections.