As this unique type of medical honey from New Zealand becomes more popular, knock offs continue to confuse consumers.

Most people are familiar with honey's ability to heal. In the old days, doctors used honey to treat wounds when other dressings weren't available and grandmothers have been healing sore throats with honey for ages. Honey derived from the Manuka plant, indigenous to New Zealand, seems to have far more healing properties than other types of honey. Manuka Honey has become a hot commodity as a result of medical reports proving its impressive healing qualities. It now being used to successfully treat stomach ulcers, acid reflux disease, irritable bowl syndrome, cold and flu symptoms, acne, eczema, bacterial and fungal infections, etc.

Manuka Honey's curative properties are due in part to it's antibacterial activity. Since Manuka Honey contains antibacterial compounds not found in other types of honey, it commands a higher price. This has consumers scouring the Internet in search of the best price for Manuka Honey. There are some retailers that sell inexpensive Manuka Honey. However, the quality of this honey is not what people have come to expect from Manuka Honey. The antibacterial potency can vary depending on the floral nectar component. This could make the difference between medical-grade honey and ordinary honey. It could also mean the difference between premium and cheap Manuka Honey.

There are a few infallible ways of determining if Manuka Honey is of medical-grade quality. At this particular time, Manuka Honey is produced only in New Zealand. Premium Manuka Honey should have a rating on the label that indicates its antibacterial potency. For example, UMF 16 is most desirable for medicinal use. Manuka Honey that is less potent may not be effective in treating medical conditions and Manuka Honey that is more potent may cause a burning sensation.

The UMF trademark indicates that the supplier is regulated and is required to perform laboratory tests on the honey to measure its antibacterial potency. There should also be a license number listed somewhere on the label. When the label merely lists a number without the letters "UMF" or just refers to it as "active", there is no assurance that it is truly medical-grade. In fact, in the U.S., the FDA does not regard honey of any kind as being active. Therefore, FDA regulations bar suppliers from referring to honey as being an active ingredient. Suppliers that indicate honey as being active on the label are in violation of FDA regulations.

In the near future, a new rating system may become standardized in the Manuka Honey industry. The Molan Gold Standard may soon replace the UMF rating system. These two standards are the only ones that should be trusted. If a jar of Manuka Honey does not say UMF or Molan Gold Standard on the label, you have no way of knowing if a laboratory test was performed to measure its antibacterial potency. Manuka Honey without these indicators are usually less expensive, as well as less effective. Don't be fooled by low cost Manuka Honey. It does not work the same as premium Manuka Honey.

"Choosing the right grade of Manuka Honey is crucial," says Frank Buonanotte, CEO of Honeymark International. "Otherwise, the Manuka Honey you purchase might have no more healing properties than the ordinary honey you can find in your local supermarket. As always, you get what you pay for." Honeymark is the largest importer of Manuka Honey in the U.S. and a manufacturer of Manuka Honey products.