Do You Really Need Prescription Antibiotics?
This morning my kids were both coughing and sneezing. Ugh! So I pulled out my ‘get better fast’ arsenal and thought I would share this one with you – manuka honey.
The Power of Honey
Honey has been used since ancient times to treat many conditions. It wasn’t until late 19th century that it was realized that honey has natural antibacterial properties.
Everyone knows that honey is a natural cough soother and helps to ease a scratchy throat, but not all honey has the same healing power. Some honey is up to 100 times more potent than others.
Side Effects of Antibiotics
Now you may be asking yourself, why not just go to the doctor and get some antibiotics? That’s easy and here are my reasons why you should second guess that antibiotic prescription:
- Antibiotics only clear bacterial infections and many times if you have a cold, cough, sore throat, etc. it’s a viral infection.
- According to the Journal of American Medical Association, nearly one-third of the antibiotics prescribed aren’t appropriate for the conditions being treated (source).
- In the U.S., there is currently a surge in antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The more an antibiotic is used, the more bacteria develop antibiotic resistance, rendering the drug less effective.
- The side effects of antibiotics include digestive problems (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pains), fungal infections, fever, anaphylaxis, and kidney failure.
So what should you do instead?
Benefits of Manuka Honey
Manuka honey “contains antibacterial, antiviral, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiseptic, stomach-healing, wound-repairing, and overall health-promoting properties” which is why it is often referred to as a ‘superfood’.
It is produced by the bees that feed off of the honey of the manuka bush and native to New Zealand, what sets it apart from regular ol’ honey.
Another big difference – it contains a chemical compound called methylglyoxal, which is responsible for its anti-microbial benefits.
Not all manuka honey is the same, however, you must pay close attention to the UMF (Unique Manuka Factor) number on the bottle. The higher the UMF, the higher the methylglyoxal concentration. In order to be considered an active form of manuka, the UMF must be 10 or higher.
To stock up on your Manuka Honey with a UMF of 20+, click here to find on Amazon and BEE Well!
Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links.