Lethal to superbugs

Source: Herald Sun Melbourne
Date: 17 August 2009

Manuka is the latest buzzword in the battle to fight antibiotic-resistant superbugs.

Some special health honey can destroy the drug-resistant superbugs that are killing patients in hospitals around the world, a team from Sydney University's School of Molecular and Microbial Biosciences has confirmed.

Prof Peter Molan of New Zealand's Waikato University, the man who discovered the superbug-killing ability of Manuka honey, applauds the finding but says it is crucial people use the right sort of honey.

"I'm pleased to see that the Sydney University team emphasise that not all health honeys have this factor," Prof Molan says.

"It would be disastrous if a honey was used in good faith by a frontline medical practitioner against a superbug infection, but it was the wrong sort of honey."

For the past 18 months, Prof Molan and his team at the NZ Honey Research Unit have been refining testing methods to identify and rate the potency of different Manuka honeys (unique Manuka factor).

"Unfortunately neither the words active Manuka honey, nor some rating numbers, necessarily mean it's the right sort of honey for superbugs and some other conditions," Prof Molan says.

"The new method will give specific values to a natural substance with natural variability."

One of New Zealand's leading honey companies has worked with Prof Molan to develop the new system.

Manuka honey can been applied to the skin as a balm, or taken orally to help soothe the throat and digestive tract.

It can alse be eaten like other honey products to help maintain general health.

Watson and Son Manuka honey is now available at selected pharmacies and health food stores nationally.

DANIEL HOY