UMF stands for Unique Manuka Factor, the antibacterial factor in Active Manuka Honey that is responsible for naturally destroying bacteria such as staph (staph aureus), strep (streptococcus) and H. Pylori (Helicobacter Pylori). Only Active Manuka Honey contains UMF®. That makes Active Manuka Honey the only honey shown to kill H. Pylori. According to extensive research of more than 20 years, the Unique Manuka Factor is a special non-peroxide antibacterial activity making Active Manuka Honey one of the rarest and most precious honeys in the world!

What does the Rating guarantee?

Every batch of Active Manuka Honey is tested by an independent laboratory for antibacterial activity, using a testing method developed at the Waikato University in New Zealand. The testing process underlies the strict guidelines of the Honey Research Unit at the Waikato University. Each jar is guaranteed to have an antibacterial activity 2,5 times greater than standard antiseptic (minimum 10% carbolic equivalent).

UMF is usually followed by a number, indicating the anti-bacterial strength. For the UMF test the hydrogene peroxide is removed from the honey to find out how much antibacterial strength is left without it. The science team then measures this remaining antibacterial strength. All Manuka Honey that has a rating of more than 10 is highly active honey and therefore labeled as Active Manuka Honey.

The UMF rating varies every year. This year's rating is the highest rating ever in 10 years, with a rating of 19.8!

Has the Unique Manuka Factor been researched?

Active Manuka Honey and its UMF rating has been researched by Dr. Peter Molan, Senior Lecturer at the Waikato University in New Zealand for over 20 years.

The antibacterial activity in Active Manuka Honey has been described by Molan and Russell (1998) and Allen (1991). The substance has so far not been identified. Westen (1999) found that the activity was not caused by the phenolics (including flavonoids) found in Manuka Honey.

Research has shown a link between gastritis and peptic ulcers and the bacteria Helicobacter Pylori. Manuka Honey with a UMF activity of more than 10, and other honey with peroxide activity, were both tested in laboratory cultures again helicobacter pylori. Only Manuka Honey showed inhibition against the bacteria, with complete inhibition shown at 5% honey concentration (Al Somal 1994). It appears likely that Active Manuka Honey may offer healing properties for millions of stomach ulcer (peptic ulcer) sufferers worldwide!

Honey has shown in the laboratory to have antibacterial activity against a range of bacterial species causing gastroenteritis and diarrhea. Average concentration for Active Manuka Honey was 5-11% for complete inhibition and 8-15% for bacterial death (Brady and Molan, as reported in Molan 1996).

How can you explain the antibacterial activity found in Honey?

Basically, the antibacterial effect of honey is due to four major processes or qualities: The osmotic effect, the acidity of honey, the production of hydrogen peroxide in honey and the phytochemical factors.

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