People of New Zealand and Australia have long turned to Manuka honey to heal all sorts of scratches and bites. It is a home remedy that has survived throughout our (very short) history.

Whilst all honeys have an action that releases hydrogen peroxide which would remove dead skin, allowing growth of new skin to progress (healing), it is obstructed by the body which acts to dilute and remove the hydrogen peroxide (catalase activity).

So researchers went looking for another mechanism because the Kiwis persisted in dousing themselves in honey and getting results. What they found was a further action which was antimicrobial (kills or inhibits bacteria) and anti-inflammatory.

Manuka (Maori word for the Tea Tree plant) is special in this capacity and is different from other honeys. Manuka inhibits bacteria (eg staph) which is found in many skin infections and wounds which is why it works to heal leg ulcers, burns, and sugical wounds. There is proof it is at least as good as standard treatments in these applications. It is also able to prevent the bacterial infections occuring in the first place and capable of improving the bad odour often associated with wounds (the mechanism is postulated but beyond me to be able to explain).

So, a logical leap has been made that it should work on mouth ulcers too. Those who have tried it, swear by it (I am one of them) but there is no published research on this that I can find. There is a trial going on at the moment that is investigating, so maybe one day soon, we will be able to move this topic from �adjunctive treatment� to �medications, treatments and procedures�. I am unaware of any results but maybe someone else knows better.

The person who originally explored the use of Manuka honey back in the 80s and attempted to elucidate its properties is a Kiwi and came from Waikato University in NZ which has now dedicated part of their website to Manuka Honey. Well worth the read.

http://bio.waikato.ac.nz/honey/evidence.shtml

Thanks for the info. I keep seeing people mention this stuff so I am going to ask my doctor if it is something I can try during radiation.

Do ask your dr. It is worth the try - I found it helped me a lot.

Take care and good luck!

How exactly do you use the honey?

Hoping Cheryl will chime in here as she has actually done it. I have only researched it and stuck it on my pimples which is not terribly helpful in answering your question

Hi... Okay - if you are using it for mouth sores -

Post radiation - is almost the same as during except I used to use it 15 min prior to my rads session... Then after my session- about 15 minutes or so. Then throughout the day a few times. I chose after "eating" - since it's intended to clean, and help heal. Ultimately I would eat - rinse with the baking soda mixtue to make sure there were no particles in my mouth, then use the honey. Post rads i use it after I eat. Or if I have a flare up of some kind. (sometimes acidic foods will cause a cluster of blisters) - I'll use it then. If you're not eating usually 3-4 times a day is good. If you take it after food, then it has time to work since it's unlikely you'll be putting anything in your mouth for a bit...

(i managed to get through rads without using my peg - so I would eat or drink my meals - if you are using a peg just use it several times a day.)

If you have active sores it will sting... Then the stinging will subside and you'll feel beter.

Amount - one tablespoon - put it in your mouth- let it melt swish it around 2-4 minutes then swallow... If you do have open sores it helps but it'll take a few days. When my mouth was at it's worse - 2 weeks post rads - I used to use a bit of magic mouthwash to numb me then use the honey. Or dilute it with a small amount of warm water mix it and swish... But undiluted is the best. If you are doing rads start using it as soon as possible even if you have no mouth sores... It is preventative. (I have to admit... I like honey but eventually - yack!)

I do have to say it won't stop you from getting mouth sores... But it will - I believe - make them less prevalent, and less... Things started to get bad for me Around week 4 - I was becoming good friends with my magic mouthwash in a big way! Then someone suggested the honey and a couple of days later I didn't need the mouthwash, things finally got bad enogh to warrant it again 7 days after I finished treatment and that period only lasted 5 days. So I believe it worked. It made the fall out less than what it would have been had I not used it. Also I noticed - perhaps because of it's anti bacterial properties - I never got thrush.

And that's it... Hopefully it helps.

Take care.

Could you post any ordering information? What strength, where to purchase, estimate of how long a jar lasts (to help decide how much to order.) I want to try this for my current (pre-radiation) mouth sores....and if it helped you post-rad, I'm all for having it on hand before starting treatment. (A PM is fine, if you prefer.)

Thanks
Kelli Jo

Medicinal value is stated to be between 10-16+ UMF, although posters with success have used the 16+ UMF strength.

the most important thing to remember is to look for genuine Manuka Honey with an UMF rating as this is a trademarked standard that was developed by Dr Molan and used by the NZ beekeepers to ensure that the consumer knows their brand has been properly tested. So, you should be able to find UMF 16+ prominently on the label and it should be a product of New Zealand.

There is another rating called MGO which I know nothing about but I believe is also a tested rating system. The numbers for this range from 100 to over 450. Again, ensure the rating is clearly labelled and the honey is produced in New Zealand.

There is more information regarding dose and how to order on another thread in this section called "Relief" that will help answer your other questions. The link is below.


http://oralcancersupport.org/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=135644#Post135644

Once last point. You can order Manuka Honey through Amazon which donates a proportion of sales to OCF so if you order through the link found at the top of the forum page you will benefit us all.

Thanks!

Sorry people I typed tablespoon it's actually teaspoon... Utgh!

I thought we needed some clarification. So I did a little more research. I'm not an expert but this is what I pulled together re manuka honey... This is not written to try and convince someone not to do what their dr. Says. I am an advocate of listening to your Drs. I just wanted to share what I learned when I was researching so others could make an informed decision. I will also post this in the adjunctive therapy forum so everyone else can read it. Plus I think people were concerned as to whether or not it was an antioxidant - so the info is here so you can decide for yourself.

First off when I heard about manuka it was from someone else, prior to trying

it I looked it up online. Several places are doing trials with it (hospitals) with patients to see it's affect on oral cancer patients mucousitis - results have been varied I can tell you for me it helped... But what works for one person doesn't always work for another. That said prior to taking it I asked my radiation dr. (who knew I was being careful about antioxidants etc..) He said yes. The amount I was using was very small. 2-3 teaspoons a day. Was usually all I could choke down. The honey itself is 80% sugar , 18% water, and 2% vitamins and minerals much of which is dependent on the actual honey -

But this is what I got from one web site.


Nutrition
Facts
Calories in Manuka Honey

��Serving Size:
1 tsp

Amount Per Serving

�Calories 32.5
�Total Fat 0.0�g
� Saturated Fat 0.0�g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0�g
Monounsaturated Fat 0.0�g
�Cholesterol 0.0�mg
Amount Per Serving
Sodium 2.0�mg
Potassium 0.0�mg
Total Carbohydrate 7.8�g
�� �Dietary Fiber 0.0�g
�Sugars 7.8�g
�Protein 0.5�g
��Vitamin A 0.0�%
��Vitamin B-12 0.0�%
��Vitamin B-6 0.0�%
��Vitamin C 0.0�%
��Vitamin D 0.0�%
��Vitamin E 0.0�%
��Calcium 0.0�%
��Copper 0.0�%
��Folate 0.0�%
��Iron 0.0�%
��Magnesium 0.0�%
��Manganese 0.0�%
��Niacin 0.0�%
��Pantothenic Acid���� 0.0�%
��Phosphorus���� 0.0�%
��Riboflavin 0.0�%
��Selenium 0.0�%
��Thiamin 0.0�%
��Zinc 0.0�%

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

I checked out a few place the values were similar, and the amounts were trace amounts. My hospital hands out a pamphlet to it's patients undergoing radiation therapy below is the link - it is all about anti oxidants. So prior to taking the honey... I looked into it, I asked my dr. He okayed it. I read the pamphlet, and checked my vitamins (which I stopped taking) my daily diet was nothing to worry about because after week two it was barely here and by week three it was all boost and ensure. So besides water, and 2-3 teaspoons of honey (which i couldnt always get down and which I didn't start until week 4 because I'd never heard of it) the boost and ensure was all that went into my mouth.

There are antioxidants in normal healthy foods. We are told to maintain a healthy diet through our radiation treatment (though with head and neck cancer is very hard because our taste and mouths are affected ) the concern with antioxidants is mega supplements - according to the pamphlet put out by the hospital.
So considering, I was only taking in 3-4 bottles of boost and ensure, and a little honey - that doesn't have any of the major antioxidant vitamins in it - I was okay with this because likely if I had a meal of broccoli meat and brown rice I would surpass any antioxidant properties found in, three tablespoons of honey and more.
However I'm not an expert. If your dr. Says no, then please don't.

Here's the link to the pamphlet out out by my hospital.
Princess Margaret hospital in Toronto (part of the university health network.

http://www.uhn.ca/Patients_&_Visitor..._RT_English.pdf


Hope this clarifies.

It's been brought to my attention the link above isn't working (thanks Anne Marie!!) I am not sure if it's related to this site (I know they block some thinks here) or what - originally I confirmed this link in a pm - went back and checked it so its working for me...
But ill try again.... Also I would like to reiterate TEASPOONS - I'm sorry I can't edit the original posting! I majke that mistake a lot - chemotherapy brain???? Dunno


http://www.uhn.ca/Patients_&_Vi...ent_Handouts/Antioxidants_RT_English.pdf

It's working for me, too, Cheryl - thanks!

Cheryl,
What type and brand of Manuka honey. It is hard to find UMF 16+ anywhere but online. Will bio active 5+ from New Zealand work just as well?

Try whole foods they'll have it. I don't know abut the 5+ it may not be strong enough. But seriously - try whole foods.

Good luck!

my Husband will be starting 7 weeks of radiation 30mts per day ,5 days a week plus 2 and half hours on drip of cisplaten per week for 7 weeks.he has stage 4 on base of tongue and in one sliva gland,he is 50yrs old very fit and healthy. he is on Warfren as he has "lumpy blood". He hade 4 teeth removed 10 days ago and will be starting treatment 14th may 2012 or may week before.will the manuka honey not do damage to teeth as so much suger in it?

Your husband should see a dentist and have flouride trays made asap! He will need to use them every single day to help his teeth withstand the effects of radiation. This is very very important! My teeth werent so lucky and had severe radiation damage to them. I eventually had them pulled as they were crooked and all loose.

Have your husband enjoy all his favorite foods now as his sense of taste will change for a few months.

Actually I was worried about the same thing the study I read said no (go figure!!!) I cant remember the details but it had something of sugar (as its not really a sugar) but I used it from week 3- 8 (two weeks post rads) and then stopped now I only us it if I have an oral irritation, (not often!!!) I think maybe long term use - might possibly cause issues but I also rinsed frequently and brushed x 2 and used a water pik to Clean around my gums (still do) so far so good... My dentist says he's happy !

my understanding of dental decay is that it is bacteria which goes on to produce acids that causes the problem. Sucrose in table sugar (and much of the additives in food) allows development of bacteria and plaque. Manuka is known to have antibacterial properties which is why it was tested in leg ulcers all those years ago. So, if honey has antibacterial properties making it difficult or impossible for bacteria to grow, and bacteria cause cavities, then the logical leap is that honey doesn't have the same issues as other sugars. Just joining the dots here - I might be missing something though.

This is my understanding only and I could have the concept wrong so would be pleased if one of the dental professionals might explain this better.

Thanks KLO...

Even though Karen (Klo) and I disagree on Erbitux (which is also not proven but logical), I find her posts very informative and helpful. Plus while I am tough on woo woo including naturalpathic and homeopathic nonsense there is no doubt that sometimes natural cures do work. An oral cancer news story today touts the medicinal effects of a honey that sounds suspiciously like Manuka honey under a pharmaceutical name to me.
honey news OCF
OCF news, if you don't get it, you don't get it.
Here is a link to the NIH reported study on MediHoney
Medihoney
Charm

Hmmmm - I just can't resist asking if right about now it would be time for Cheryld to say "Toldja!" In any case, that is great news about Medihoney!