Manuka Honey for Antibiotic Resistance and Stubborn Infections

People who know natural remedies have valued honey for its antibacterial and antiseptic properties for a very long time. Modern medicine has caught up, treating Manuka honey as a genuine medicinal ingredient that works both as a food-as-medicine and as a topical application. You will find it in all kinds of skincare products, from moisturizers and lip balms to ointments, creams, and lotions.

The case for Manuka honey as a powerful natural antibiotic is no longer anecdotal or confined to traditional medicine. Using it against stubborn infections like MRSA on the skin is well researched, proven, and documented in respected science literature and journals. Manuka honey for antibiotic resistance has become one of the most compelling of all the benefits of Manuka honey.

Manuka Honey for Antibiotic Resistance

In recent years, doctors have struggled to treat infections that no longer respond to regular antibiotics. Several things drive this. Overuse of common antibiotics has blunted their effect, and as we develop stronger drugs, bacteria keep evolving to stay a step ahead. Some infections become especially hard to clear because a biofilm, a thin layer of bacteria, forms over the tissue and shields the colony from medication.

This is where Manuka honey for antibiotic resistance comes in. It is now viewed as a proactive ingredient that can work around what looks like an unsolvable, life-threatening problem. Using honey to treat hard-to-beat infections may sound far-fetched, but the science holds up. For a closer look at exactly how it disables bacteria without breeding resistance, see how Manuka honey kills bacteria.

Honey and Conventional Antibiotics: How They Work Together

Understanding how Manuka honey affects antimicrobial action helps explain how it clears bacterial pathogens. While honey has long been used as a natural antibiotic on its own, recent studies recommend pairing it with conventional antibiotics, typically by applying honey topically while other medicines are delivered through the bloodstream.

The resulting drug synergy increases the potency of both the therapeutic Manuka honey and the conventional antibiotic. In laboratory (in vitro) studies, the presence of honey not only made bacterial strains more susceptible but also stopped the germs from developing resistance to certain antibiotics such as rifampicin, a drug commonly used for superficial staphylococcal infections. Because MRSA strains build resistance to rifampicin quickly when it is used alone, it is often combined with other drugs. Manuka honey and certain antibiotics, used together, strengthen the treatment of tougher, more resistant infections, which is a big part of the case for Manuka honey for antibiotic resistance.

Manuka Honey for Stubborn Infections

Regular honey works as an antibiotic largely because it contains hydrogen peroxide, a compound bees produce with one of their enzymes. Manuka carries a second, special compound: methylglyoxal (MGO). A 2018 study confirmed that MGO is a tough-acting ingredient effective against even the hardiest microbes.

Armed with those two germ-fighting agents, Manuka works on stronger strains of bacteria. Species behind Staph and Strep infections are vulnerable to it. Clostridium difficile, a hard-to-treat pathogen that spreads in hospital settings and causes diarrhea and colon inflammation, was found to be equally susceptible to Manuka therapy. The infection is disinfected first; when these moisture-loving pathogens meet Manuka, they slowly die off, and fresh bacteria are prevented from replacing the dead ones. That is how even chronic infections can heal, provided you use honey with real potency and more MGO, anything above MGO 1000.

Always check the Unique Leptospermum Factor, or ULF, value too. The higher the number (15 and above), the faster and stronger the antioxidant activity of your honey. For infections that stay immune to other antibiotic treatments, we recommend our strongest, highest grade Manuka Honey MGO 2000+. Keep raw, untreated Manuka on hand to treat a range of skin conditions, from a mild acne outbreak to tougher staph infections.

Medicinal Manuka Honey: MGO Grades Explained

Premium medicinal Manuka honey is high-grade MGO honey that has been scientifically tested for its curative compounds, including antioxidants, bioflavonoids, and immune-boosting enzymes. It carries much higher levels of MGO (methylglyoxal) than table-grade Manuka honey and is naturally bioactive, with antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory properties for the holistic prevention and treatment of many health concerns.

Common uses include burns, wounds, infection, oral care, ulcers, gut health, cold and flu, sore throat, cough, immunity building, general well-being, and beauty and skincare. The higher the MGO number, the stronger the antimicrobial bioactivity and the more potent the natural benefits. The MGO levels of Biosota's high-strength medicinal Manuka honey ranges are regularly tested and verified authentic by independent, accredited laboratories in both Australia and New Zealand. For the full picture on grades, see our Manuka honey research.

How to Use and Apply Medicinal Manuka Honey

Our usage and dosage suggestions are based on our own direct experience, on feedback collated from real customers, and on the latest published scientific journals and research papers. Dosage and individual results may vary. Please consult your healthcare provider before beginning any treatment and if symptoms persist. (Allergy advice: honey should not be given to children under the age of 1, or to people with allergies to honey and bee products.)

Manuka Honey for Antibiotic Resistance and Probiotic Use

Try our Superior Strength Medicinal Manuka Honey Range, MGO 1000+ to 1900+. While Manuka honey active at lower levels can help sore throats and bacterial coughs, MGO levels need to be much higher to survive the damaging effects of stomach acid as the honey passes lower down the digestive tract.

After finishing any prescribed course of antibiotics, take a teaspoon of high-strength medicinal Manuka honey once or twice a day to rebuild probiotic gut levels and immunity and to restore your health. For stubborn, antibiotic-resistant infections, we recommend taking one to two teaspoons of our superior or ultimate strength medicinal Manuka honey twice daily.

For topical use, apply a superior-grade medicinal Manuka honey liberally to the affected area. Cover it with a clean, sterile dressing such as a bandage, gauze, or compress. Leave it overnight and change the dressing when saturated, or as needed. At Biosota Organics, our passion is the natural healing power of Manuka honey, cultivated by nature with a whole lot of science and love as our secret ingredients.

Download our free guide: Manuka Honey Antibacterial Benefits for Infections

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