Honey has long been used as a wound dressing, and according to Dr. Molan, it is probably the perfect substance for such a use. Honey is also better than man-made antibiotics, Dr. Molan contends, because such antibiotics actually slow down the rate of cell growth. The moisture-attracting nature of honey, on the other hand, actually pulls body fluids and nutrients to the wound surface where they help speed skin growth and healing. According to Dr. Molan, honey has everything going for it except the acceptance of the medical fraternity. But the recent discoveries about a second antibiotic substance in manuka honey may help change that.
All honey gives off hydrogen peroxide, a known antibiotic.
The hydrogen peroxide is produced when the glucose in honey reacts with oxygen. Because it is produced slowly in honey, at a low level, the hydrogen peroxide doesn't loose it's effectiveness. Provided honey is kept away from light, the enzyme which breaks down the hydrogen peroxide won't even activate. Dr. Molan and his students tested the hydrogen peroxide in honey on a range of bacteria and as a control removed the hydrogen peroxide with catalase. That's when they discovered the second antibacterial property in manuka honey.