A Sweet Alternative

An LA Times health feature discusses the healing properties of NZ Manuka honey, which is becoming increasingly accepted in international medical circles. Manuka honey has been cleared for use as a wound dressing and antimicrobial in both Canada and the USA, and clinical trials testing its effectiveness are currently underway in Germany, Scotland and South Africa. “In the last few years, a lot of good science has been done in the area,” says Shona Blair, a microbiologist at the University of Sydney, who studies the antibacterial properties of honey. Manuka honey has been shown to be particularly effective in treating wounds that will not heal, such as those suffered by diabetics and cancer patients.