What is UMF?

Definition

UMF Rating

Immediately after the letters UMF on a package of Manuka honey will be a number. This number starts at 10 and increases up to 20.

The UMF number is a standard way of describing the bacteria-killing power of the product. The honey is put in a plate with a bacterial culture, and the area is measured where the bacterial growth is stopped. this area is compared to a similar area produced by a solution of phenol and water. the number refers to the percentage of phenol in the water. So UMF 10 is honey that has the same bacteria-killing power as 10% phenol.

In the same way that sunscreen provides higher levels of protection when the SPF value increases, a higher UMF rating indicates a stronger antibacterial strength of the Manuka Honey.

What Makes it Special?

Kills Bad Bacteria
In laboratory studies the UMF property has been found to be effective against a wide range of bacteria including the very resistant helicobacter pylori (this bacteria causes most stomach ulcers), the wound-infecting bacteria staphylococcus aureus and escherichia coli, streptococcus pyogenes (causes sore throats).

Provides Relief...Naturally
Studies are showing UMF Manuka Honey with high levels of UMF could be very effective in helping relieve stomach ulcer symptoms and gastritis, and when applied topically, in assisting the natural healing of skin ulcers, wounds, burns, boils, cracked skin, MRSA.
Studies are also showing the UMF property helps make UMF Manuka Honey excellent for relieving sore throats and oral hygiene.

Is Very Stable
The UMF property is very stable, unlike the hydrogen peroxide antibacterial property common to most honey which is easily destroyed by heat, light as well as certain enzymes in body serum. UMF honeys are particularly stable and are resistant to destruction by these factors.

Why is UMF only Present in Some Manuka Honey?

Bees gather Manuka honey from the nectar of the flowers of the Manuka bush (Leptospermum scoparium) which is a native plant of New Zealand, and the tea tree (Leptospermum polygalifolium) which is native to Australia. Manuka and Tea Tree grows wild on undeveloped, unspoilt and regenerating land, and is commonly found throughout the country.

Manuka honey with the UMF property is gathered from the Leptospermum flowers - UMF is not in the nectar of all Leptospermum flowers. It is also evident that some areas of Manuka and teat tree does not produce honey with the UMF property every year, and the concentrations of UMF can vary from batch to batch and year to year.

For this reason every batch of Manuka Honey is tested to see if it contains the special UMF property prior to packaging and labelling.

Only honey that contains the UMF property is permitted to carry the UMF trademark on its label - it is your guarantee of superior antibacterial activity.

The reason why only some Manuka honey has the unique UMF antibacterial property is not yet known. It could be from a subspecies of Manuka or due to some environmental factor such as soil type. The researchers are currently looking into this question.

UMF Manuka Honey

Active Manuka Honey with certified UMF activity. For internal and external use.
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Medihoney Medical Honey

100% anti bacterial honey for general first aid on cuts, grazes, abrasions and burns.
Buy Medihoney Medical Honey - Click Here

Medihoney Antibacterial Wound Gel

A high viscosity gel containing 80% anti bacterial honey for easy application.
Buy Medihoney Wound Gel - Click Here