What is UMF®?

UMF® is an antibacterial property which is naturally present in some strains of manuka honey, but it is not in all manuka honey   UMF® Manuka Honey, the type of manuka honey which has the special UMF® antibacterial property, is highly sought-after for its health-giving qualities.

What is special about UMF® Manuka Honey?

Laboratory studies have shown that UMF® Manuka Honey is effective against a wide range of very resistant bacteria including the major wound-infecting bacteria and the stomach ulcer causing bacteria helicobacter pylori. 

UMF® is Totally Natural

The UMF® property is a floral property naturally in the nectar of some manuka flowers.  UMF® Manuka Honey is totally natural and safe and has been enjoyed for its own unique flavour for many years. 

The UMF® Standard

The UMF® activity is additional to the usual active properties of honey.  But not all manuka honeys have the UMF® activity and among those that do, the strength varies.

The UMF® standard was established to identify and set apart the type of manuka honey which has the UMF® healing property.    The small proportion of manuka honey that has the special UMF® property is identified by the name UMF®. 

The UMF® standard is the only standard worldwide identifying and measuring the antibacterial strength of honey.

Testing honey for antibacterial activity

The presence of the UMF® property can be detected only by special scientific testing using criteria laid down by the Honey Research Unit at The University of Waikato. Gribbles Analytical Laboratories in Hamilton, New Zealand, is the only laboratory approved to carry out UMF® testing.

The UMF® Rating

The name UMF® is followed by a number that indicates the strength of the UMF® antibacterial property in a batch of UMF® Manuka Honey tested in the licensed laboratory after the honey has been packed.

A UMF® 10 rating is the minimum to qualify to use the name UMF® and be suitable for treating infections.

History

For thousands of years honey of all kinds has been known to have healing properties. It has also been traditionally recognized that honey from some plants in some areas is more effective than other honeys.

Most honeys have antibacterial activity due to the enzyme, glucose oxidase, which gives rise to hydrogen peroxide, a proven antiseptic with antibacterial properties.

Since 1981 Dr Peter Molan, MBE, Associate Professor in Biochemistry has researched the ancient healing properties of honey. He discovered that the honey from some strains of the New Zealand manuka Bush (Leptospermum Scoparium) has an antibacterial activity not present in any other honey. This activity is known as UMF®.