QUICK SUMMARY
Several studies have shown that Manuka honey is effective against both staph and MRSA infections, even when prescription antibiotics fail.
This is likely due to the high content of methylglyoxal, a unique compound found only in Manuka honey and which has strong antibacterial properties.
Manuka honey can be applied directly from the jar to wounds, or you can use creams and gels specially formulated to treat wounds.
For the treatment of staph and MRSA, manuka honey with a high UMF index will be more effective. Honey with a high UMF grade is considered “medical grade” and is used for wound dressing and treatment in hospitals in various countries.
This article was written by our son Byron, a veteran of using Manuka honey to heal all types of scrapes and bruises. Enjoy!
Sometimes it seems like Manuka honey can do almost anything. But can it cure staph infections?
If you have a staph infection, the best thing you can do is not treat it. If you are reluctant to use antibiotics or want a natural alternative, Manuka honey may be a possible candidate.
So, can manuka honey cure things? The short answer is yes. Not only is it known to cause staph, but it is used throughout the world and even in hospitals as an antimicrobial agent against staph and MRSA.
If you want to learn more about treating staph with Manuka honey, this article will explain how I learned to do it, along with some tips to make sure your healing time is as quick and safe as possible.
Also Read: COMVITA MANUKA HONEY and WEDDERSPOON Manuka Honey Reviews.
What is STAPH?
Whether it’s wrestling, jiu-jitsu, gymnastics, or anywhere else you get it, staph sucks.
However, this often falls into contact sports territory, and unless you’re willing to hang up the ear protection for good, it’s something you’ll simply have to deal with.
The most basic explanation for staph is that it is a bacterial skin infection. Staph is actually not harmful to us, it lives on everyone’s skin and is a completely normal part of our bacterial and floral makeup.
However, when you participate in contact sports, where you are constantly in contact with other people’s sweat and skin, it is possible for foreign bacteria to cut or scratch your skin. This can lead to infections.
Now, if you go to the doctor, he will probably prescribe you some type of antibiotic for the next week. If you want to use it, that’s fine. It will probably work out and you will move on with your life.
However, in recent years we have all come to the conclusion that antibiotics are not good for us. They destroy the good bacteria in our body and prevent our immune system from fighting itself.
Of course, this does not mean that antibiotics are completely harmful: in cases of severe and persistent infections, they are useful and often life-saving. But our overreliance on antibiotics has become a problem.
My philosophy is: if you can treat it without antibiotics, do it.
So, you have staph and maybe you’re reluctant to use antibiotics for a staph infection that doesn’t seem too serious.
Luckily, I’ve done this a few times after getting staph from jiu-jitsu and both times the problem cleared up completely within 7-10 days. Below I will describe exactly how I did it.
WHAT DO YOU NEED?
The first weapon in your arsenal of natural healing substances is a special honey called Manuka honey. Manuka is a New Zealand plant and the pollen from Manuka flowers produces exceptionally strong antibacterial honey. The science behind this honey is pretty great, and if you’re interested, I have a blog post detailing more aspects of the honey.
If you explore the Internet, you will read countless people using manuka honey to treat staph and even MRSA, especially when antibiotics didn’t work initially. That’s pretty impressive.
Let’s look at some science.
This study concluded:
“Manuka honey inhibits cell division at concentrations up to 10% and inhibits the growth of MRSA by increasing oxacillin resistance in MRSA”
“Manuka honey was required to inhibit 58 Gram-positive MSSA strains and 18 MRSA strains isolated from wounds…”
“At a concentration of 10% (v/v), all three Manuka honeys tested produced significant reductions in both MSSA and MRSA…”
The study, published by the American Society for Microbiology, found that:
“Manuka honey can inhibit S. aureus, MRSA and intermediate S. aureus with vancomycin (Visa) at low concentrations” and;
“More recent studies have also highlighted manuka honey’s ability to improve the efficacy of some clinically relevant antibiotics against MRSA, which may also be useful in difficult-to-treat S. pseudintermedius infections.”
The study, published in Nature, concluded that:
“Based on the best-fit line equation, we expect 10% and 1% raw manuka honey to begin bacteria-killing ability at 6 × 106 CFU/mL and 6.1 × 102 CFU/mL , respectively. The positive control for the test was 50% raw Manuka honey, which killed all bacteria after a 24-hour incubation period.”
This is a small portion of the scientific literature on manuka honey and wound healing, but the science is strong.
How do I Get MANUKA HONEY?
A few years ago manuka honey was hard to find and could only be reliably found if you came to New Zealand to source it yourself!
However, in the days of the Internet things have become much simpler. Jars are now searchable and ratings for individual batches can be found online. You can also order online directly from the manufacturers, who ship the honey worldwide.
For the treatment of staph I would recommend a Manuka honey that has at least UMF 20 (you can read more about the classification here).
Our top recommendation for treating staph would be NZ Honey Co.’s UMF 24+ Manuka honey.
NZ Honey Co offers raw, organic and unpasteurised honey, certified by the UMF Association and certified as glyphosate free.
It really is at the top of the spectrum when it comes to high quality Manuka honey.
Studies have shown that UMF 24 is effective against staph and is very convenient (cheaper than a hospital visit, sure!).
For the highest grade available, this would be NZ Honey Co.’s UMF 28+ honey.
This is a much stronger classification and closer to what hospitals would use to treat MRSA (yes, it’s used in hospitals!).
Very few companies are capable of producing the best manuka honey of this caliber.
The price of this quality honey is very reasonable, and the antibacterial power is unmatched.
If you want to have the best chance of preventing a staph infection, this is probably what you want. This is what I personally used for my last staph infection.
TEA TREE OIL
The second weapon is tea tree oil.
Many of you will already be familiar with tea tree oil. It is great for use as an antiseptic, antifungal, and antibacterial hot bath, it is also used as a treatment for scabies in Australia. But what you may not know is that the tea tree plant is actually the same plant that the manuka flower grows from (tea tree is the Australian name, manuka is the native New Zealand name).
When used with honey together with essential oils, it contains a highly effective double antibacterial action against staphylococcus and MRSA.
A standard tea tree oil from the Amazon, like this one, will be sufficient to treat staph:
Tea Tree Oil and Manuka Honey: Treatment Plan
So, how do we use manuka honey and tea tree oil to treat staph?
It’s quite simple.
Step 1
The first thing you want to do is apply tea tree oil. Tea tree oil is extremely strong and you don’t want to use a lot of it. One drop should be more than enough, possibly two depending on how large the infected area is. Simply place a drop on the affected area and rub gently.
Step 2
Next, take a popsicle stick or teaspoon and scoop out a fingernail-sized amount of Manuka honey. Place it as a smear on the infected area and make sure the entire area is covered.
Don’t forget to wash the spoon or bowl when you dip again to avoid contaminating the entire jar of manuka – you might want to eat some later!
Step 3
After applying both honey and tea tree oil to the staph infection, cover it with a large band-aid.
Repeat!
Repeat the operation every 4-6 hours. You need to uncover the wound, dry it gently and reapply tea tree oil and honey. Make sure the treatment is in place around the clock.
Dressing the wound not only allows you to apply fresh honey and oil, but also allows you to keep an eye on the infection and see if it is improving.
For me, it showed improvement in less than 24 hours both times.
And this is all!
Continue the treatment around the clock and hopefully, you will be as good as new within a week.
One more thing: you can also eat honey – taking it internally is also useful. Simply take a spoon and put it down. yum
And finally, a word of caution: people respond differently to staph infections and treatments. Some antibiotics work for some people and not for others. It’s the same with natural treatments.
If the staph infection does not improve within 72 hours, I would recommend seeing a doctor or starting a course of antibiotics.
The worst thing you can do is let a staph infection grow and get out of control. These are minor inconveniences if treated promptly, but can lead to a health disaster if you let them drag on.
READY TO GET STARTED?
The tea tree oil that I use and recommend can be purchased here on Amazon.
The manuka honey I use and recommend is UMF 28 Manuka Honey from NZ Honey Co. This is one of the highest UMF grade honeys I know of on the market and will give you the best chance of killing staph and MRSA.
For bandaids, I like to use 4-inch wide bandaids like these. They cover the wound well, leaving plenty of space.
Good luck!
FAQs
Can Manuka honey and tea tree oil really cure Staph MRSA?
These natural remedies may help manage symptoms but are not a guaranteed cure.
How should I use Manuka honey and tea tree oil for Staph MRSA?
You can apply a diluted tea tree oil solution topically and consume Manuka honey, but consult a healthcare professional first.
What is the recommended concentration of tea tree oil for treating Staph MRSA?
Typically, a 5-10% dilution of tea tree oil in a carrier oil is suggested, but consult with a healthcare provider for personalized advice.
Is it safe to use Manuka honey and tea tree oil alongside prescribed antibiotics for MRSA?
Consult your healthcare provider before combining natural remedies with prescribed medications to avoid potential interactions.
Are there any known side effects or allergies associated with using Manuka honey and tea tree oil for Staph MRSA?
Allergic reactions and skin irritation can occur, so perform a patch test and consult a doctor if you have concerns.
How long does it usually take to see improvement when using Manuka honey and tea tree oil for Staph MRSA?
The timeline for improvement can vary depending on the individual and the severity of the infection; consult a healthcare professional for guidance.
Can I solely rely on Manuka honey and tea tree oil without seeking medical treatment for Staph MRSA?
It’s not advisable to rely solely on these natural remedies; MRSA can be a serious infection, and medical intervention is crucial. Use these remedies as complementary treatments under medical supervision.
