UMF Manuka Honey for Dogs & Horses

So what is Manuka honey and can dogs take it? How about horses?

Manuka honey is produced in New Zealand. By bees – that pollinate the native Manuka (otherwise known as “tea tree”) bush.

☆ Anti-Bacterial ☆ Anti-Viral ☆ Anti-Fungal ☆ Anti-Inflammatory ☆ Anti-Microbial

Yep, you read that right – nature’s powerful healing agent packaged and delivered to your home! You see, the major antibacterial component in Manuka Honey is methylglyoxal (“MG”).

MG is a compound found in most types of honey, but usually only in small quantities. In Manuka Honey, MG comes from the conversion of another compound – dihydroxyacetone – which is found in high concentration in the nectar of the Manuka flowers. MG gives Manuka Honey its increased antibacterial power. The higher the concentration of MG, the stronger the antibiotic effect. This is what we are referring to when we say “UMF” (the Unique Manuka Factor).

Taken internally, it is very effective in helping relieve stomach ulcer symptoms and gastritis. When applied topically – it assists the natural healing of skin ulcers, wounds, burns, cracked skin, even MRSA.

In laboratory studies Manuka Honey has been found to be effective against a wide range of bacteria making the possibilities of healing endless… use it for stomach issues, sore throats, open wounds.

Taken Internally To Treat: ☆ Stomach Ulcers ☆ Gastrointestinal Disorders ☆ Upset Stomachs ☆ Kennel Cough ☆ Hairballs ☆ Diarrhea ☆ Gum Disease ☆ Allergies

Manuka Honey Benefits For Dogs

Topical Uses

Honey’s acidity (or pH) is low enough to hinder or even prevent the growth of many types of bacteria. Not to mention, honey also has an enzyme in that produces hydrogen peroxide (which is an antibacterial agent). So it’s only natural that studies have shown honey reduces inflammation AND soothes the pain of wounds and burns.

Burns: Clip off the hair around the burned area and wash the area with vinegar. Then apply honey liberally to the area every 10 minutes or so until the pain subsides, after which you can put a dressing on the burned area lightly. (sidenote: the nice thing about honey dressings are that they don’t stick to the wound – making removal bearable and maybe even enjoyable).

Wounds: For other minor cut wounds, scratches, etc., simply apply honey to the affected areas without bandaging. Try to let the honey stay on the wounds for at least 20 minutes or so. Follow with an application of ResQ Organics Skin Treatment.

“Manuka Honey contains increased amounts of hydrogen peroxide, propolis, agents that increase white blood cell activity, and stimulate wound healing. We don’t know all the complexities because NATURE IS BRILLIANT. Science takes some time to release those secrets”. — Dr Barbara Royal, Author of The Royal Treatment

Internal Uses

Honey is safe for dogs to consume. However, if your dog has diabetes, you should consult your holistic veterinarian first. Although tests have shown that some types of honey may cause a lower rise in blood sugar and thus may be safe for dogs with diabetes, data on the types of honey safe for diabetic dogs are not available.

Taken internally, honey benefits dogs in different ways:

Allergies: If your dog suffers from seasonal allergies, try feeding him a tablespoon of local honey twice a day. (This works for people with seasonal allergies as well!) The minute amount of local pollen in the honey desensitizes the dog’s body so that the immune system will not over-react to the pollen when exposed to larger amounts in spring and summer.

Gastrointestinal Problems: Due to its antibacterial properties, manuka honey benefits dogs who are suffering from GI problems caused by overgrowth of harmful bacteria, such as gastritis, IBD and colitis.

Manuka Honey For Kennel Cough “Manuka honey helps sooth the throat and speed the healing process of Kennel Cough, the suggested honey dose for dogs is anywhere from ½ to 1 teaspoon three to four times per day. Dogs lick it up or mix in their food.” — Dr. Paula Terifa, DVM

Horses’ Wounds Heal Better With Manuka Honey

“As any horse owner knows, horses get their share of cuts and scrapes. If you’re inclined to reach for something natural, consider honey. Honey has been used for centuries because of its antimicrobial properties. When raw, the enzymes are still active, and work well as a topical first aid. Because of its high sugar content and low pH, it kills microbes by making the environment more acidic, while also drawing water out of cells.

Manuka honey is especially effective — collected from the Tea Tree Manuka bush native to New Zealand, Manuka honey has a higher enzymatic activity, making it more potent than other forms. When eaten, it is helpful for seasonal allergies that affect the skin and respiratory system. When applied to a wound, Manuka honey has been shown to speed healing. Researchers at the University of Sydney’s Veterinary Science and Clinical Training Unit compared healing time of open leg wounds over a 12-day treatment period; they found a significant improvement in the honey-treated group: reduction in healing time, size of wound, and amount of proud flesh produced.

Manuka honey can be applied in its natural state, but it is messy and attracts flies; therefore, it requires bandaging. Consider including it in your horse’s medicine kit.” — Dr. Getty, Equine Nutritionist

“A simple application of honey to horses’ leg wounds results in smaller wound sizes and faster healing time, University of Sydney researchers have found.

While this is not really a surprise, since similar research and trials with wounds on people has shown the healing benefits of using medical grade Manuka honey, this is the first time a clinical trial has been done on horses.

In humans the use of medical grade Manuka honey has proven to be effective in treating hard to heal wounds and cases such as severe leg ulcers. There has also been many cases of people using this honey on wounds on their horses, with the same good healing effects. It is nice to now have this backed up with a University led clinical trial.

Wounds in horses, particularly leg wounds, have long healing periods. But we found applying a Manuka honey gel throughout healing led to 27 percent faster healing times.

What we do know is treating wounds with Manuka honey leads to healthier tissue regrowth. Wounds treated with Manuka also showed improved new blood vessel and skin surface growth compared to control wounds.” — Dr Andrea Bischofberger, Lead Researcher