All honeys are at least slightly antimicrobial because they contain peroxidase. This peroxidase mediates the creation of peroxide and the peroxide does its work against the bacteria. Unfortunately, because most of these honeys work by dehydrating the bacteria, they struggle to maintain their antibacterial activity in a moist environment like a fresh wound. Medical grade honeys, however, maintain their antibacterial qualities even in low concentrations, allowing them to function even in an inhospitable environment full of diluting factors, like the bodily fluids present in a wound.
Manuka honey is different because it doesn’t produce very much peroxide. In fact, manuka honey produces a completely unique compound, called methylglyoxal (usually shortened to MGO). Whereas peroxide works by dehydrating the bacteria (and all the cells in the region), MGO affects microbes on a structural level, preventing the microbial cells from dividing and basically stopping any potential infection in its tracks. When bacteria invade an area, it reproduces and creates what’s called a biofilm. The spread of this biofilm is a common source of bacterial infections. The bacteria create the biofilm to give themselves a stable environment in which to continue to grow and divide, making it more and more difficult for the immune system to fight against the spreading infection. The MGO in manuka honey acts against these biofilms, breaking them down and making the bacteria vulnerable to the other antibacterial properties of the honey.
The impressive aspect of the manuka is that the MGO does this without dehydrating the area. This, combined with the osmotic environment created by the honey, makes for a perfect environment for a wound to heal.
As though that unique synergy between the MGO and the honey wasn’t enough reason to treat manuka honey as a medicinal, methylglyoxal has also been shown to be effective against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. It’s a natural antimicrobial agent that’s been proven to stop infection in its tracks, even where some antibiotics would fail.
There are different honey-based treatments you can apply on your pet and HoneyCure by EnBiologics is one of them. HoneyCure was formulated to harness the power of that Unique Manuka Factor in manuka honey and blended with essential oils to make a topical wound treatment. Their formula doubles down on the ideal healing environment created by the honey and lets the MGO do its work. It’s the MGO that keeps infection at bay, but without the moist, osmotic environment created by the honey, Manuka honey wouldn’t be nearly as effective in promoting, faster, healthier healing.
Manuka honey is a naturally occurring perfect storm in antimicrobial treatment. The action of the MGO and the healing habitat created by the honey create a one-two punch that knocks out infection and helps wounds heal up faster, healthier, and with minimal scarring.
Reproduced with permission by EnBiologics LLC & Fidos Pawpose LLP.