Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Manuka: Antibacterial, Antifungal, Kills Deadly MRSA Bacteria





In 1769, James Cook called the tea tree a medicinal wonder with an ‘agreeable bitter taste’, but New Zealanders call their Manuka trees life savers. Manuka oil is derived from the Manuka tree that grows primarily in New Zealand. Its active ingredients, Triketones and Sesquiterpenes, are anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-septic and anti-bacterial. The oil of the Manuka tree is even successfully fighting MRSA bacteria, also known as Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or staph. 

A skin disease which can cause mild to a fatal infection, skin rashes, boils, redness, and itching, MRSA isn’t always deadly, but it can be. Thankfully, recent scientific studies show that manuka oil can not only prevent MRSA, but treat it as well. In fact, the oil has been shown to be more effective than many pharmaceutical antibiotics, prescribed by doctors to treat MRSA. The oil can also alleviate symptoms from everything from anxiety to eczema. 


In addition to being a potent answer to drug resistant bacteria like MRSA, another study published in the journal Microbiology found that honey – particularly that derived from bees foraging on manuka flowers – halted one type of streptococcus pyogenes from inhibiting the healing of wounds. 

Over the years, staph has been treated with a drug called methicillin, but the ailment has become increasingly immune to that drug’s ‘medicine.’ Manuka honey and oil are common natural therapy replacements that are offering a surprisingly fast and efficient way to cure the staph bacterial infection as well as other fungus, and virally transmuted diseases. It was once even used in a decoction to treat urinary ailments. Chewing on the bark can induce a peaceful mind and restful sleep as well. 

Those with a compromised immune system can especially benefit from manuka oil, since it supports the overall immune function without compromising gut flora as many antibiotics do. Our gut flora, or healthy bacteria, is considered one of the biggest components of our immune system, so manuka oil can help to fight ‘bad’ bacteria without hurting the ‘good.’ 

Even better, Manuka trees flourish well without the use of pesticides, and the evergreen grows throughout the year. It can be found in tinctures, teas, honey, and oils, and is easily digestible or used topically. 

You can get manuka oil in many places, but one easy way to utilize manuka is by eating some manuka honey. The health benefits of honey are astounding not only for fighting and preventing infection, but also for boosting overall health. 

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