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Thousands of beehives all over New Zealand provide New Zealand bee keepers with honey.

Most notable are the native bush honeys, these include large quantities of Manuka Honey.

Manuka Honey is the New Zealand honey that has become renowned for its special anti-bacterial and antioxidant properties.

Only some manuka honey has the Unique Manuka Factor (UMF) antibacterial and antioxidant properties.

To determine which manuka honey has these special properties, manuka honey is laboratory tested.

In New Zealand, laboratory testing is carried out by the Honey Research Unit at the University of Waikato.

The manuka honey that is laboratory tested and verified is given a UMF rating and is referred to as 'active'.

Manuka honey from New Zealand produces the highest rating UMF manuka honey in the world.

Manuka (leptospermum scoparium) is found all over New Zealand, from sea level to about 1,000m, and on the Chatham Islands. It often forms extensive areas of scrub that protect regenerate forest seedlings and form a shelter for native orchards and other small plants. North of Auckland it is known as kahikatoa. Leptospermum scoparium is often called the tea tree. A 'tea' drink was made from manuka leaves by Captain Cook's men and by the early settlers; the name tea tree was given to the tree by Cook. The Maori people used it as a medicinal plant. Decoctions made of the leaves were used to reduce fever and treat colds; preparations of the bark were used as sedatives. Manuka wood is red-coloured, hard and durable, burns fiercely in a fire and is used in tool handles.

Manuka Honey - Personnel Testament

Medical professionals in New Zealand use active manuka honey with a UMF15+ or higher.

Several years ago whilst working in the field as a Diesel mechanic I was unfortunate enough to severally burn my left hand thumb with a oxy acetleyene gas cutting torch.

After cleaning the wound and applying antiseptic cream, it was dressed and left to heal. After 2 days, changing the dressing 3 times a day, the wound had not got better, but was showing signs of infection. I visited my local Medical Professional who had the nurse clean and dress the wound. I guess you can sense my amazement when the nurse went and put manuka honey with a UMF15+ rating on my burn and then proceeded to bandage it up. I mean the antiseptic cream hadn't worked! The nurse then went on to explain the antiseptic benefits of using manuka honey, and how burns responded well to it. They purchased the manuka honey they used from the local supermarket next door. Everyday for 3 days the wound was redressed and more manuka honey along with clean bandages were applied to my thumb and it mended with no scaring, you wouldn't know it had ever been burnt.

Manuka honey now has a permanent place in the medicine cupboard at home and with 6 children gets used very regular with amazing results.