Active Leatherwood Honey

‘Active’? Why is our Leatherwood Honey active?

Honey has been used since the beginning of recorded history as a treatment for many types of ailments. One of the properties it has been observed to possess is the ability to stop infections. This is due to its antibacterial activity: hence the descriptor ‘active’ (see point 3 below).

Honey can stop bacterial infection in three ways:

It has a very low water content which inhibits bacterial growth.

Honey is sufficiently acidic to prevent the growth of many bacteria.

It may contain antibacterial compounds such as methylglyoxal (MGO) or it can produce antibacterial substances such as hydrogen peroxide under appropriate conditions.

Most honey has the first two properties but if it also has the third property it is called active honey.

Peroxide active honey: some honeys show antibacterial activity arising from the generation of small amounts hydrogen peroxide by a naturally occurring enzyme. An example of peroxide active honey is leatherwood honey which is only produced in Tasmania.

The antibacterial activity test measures the honey’s ability to prevent the growth of the test bacterium. The antibacterial activity of a leatherwood honey measured as 20% phenol equivalent is exactly the same as a Manuka honey whose antibacterial activity is 20% phenol equivalent even though one honey has activity due to hydrogen peroxide, the other due to MGO (Methylgloxal). All our honey is independently tested.

It is important to store this honey correctly in a cool pantry to preserve this natural activity.

Available Sizes: 250g, 500g