Manuka Honey for Treating MRSA

Research has shown that Manuka Honey has been shown to be effective as a topical application for treating MRSA:

http://bio.waikato.ac.nz/honey/contents.shtml

http://www.worldwidewounds.com/2001/november/Molan/honey-as-topical-agent.html

Dr. Molan has been a leader and pioneer in Honey Research and came up with the concept of the Unique Manuka Factor (UMF). They don't really know the exact "stuff" in honey that contributes to its antibacterial properties but they can compare the effectiveness of the honey against a known control substance. In this case, they compare the honey with phenol:

New Zealand manuka (Leptospermum scoparium) honey is sold with the activity of its phytochemical antibacterial component rated on a 'UMF' scale, with the 'UMF' number being the equivalent concentration of phenol with the same antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (i.e. UMF 15 = 15% phenol)[1]

The UMF is a good way to standardize the Honey so you know what you are getting.

[1] Honey as a topical antibacterial agent for treatment of infected wounds, Dr. Peter Molan, PHD, December 2001