Hi All I'm back again still trying to avoid antibiotics. So far so good.
I've just been reading a post on google on Manuka honey,the post is on our Patient Uk forum,and it sounds very positive.
I just wondered has anyone given it a go.? Sounds promising even for IBS!!!!
Trouble is Manuka honey is very expensive so a lot of what is sold as Manuka isn't! Just so they can make more money out of us.
Isn't your health more important than money. Read my post below.
This was covered on trust me im a doctor last year. Proved that this honeys no more effective than any other honey.
Read my post below.
I have used it in the past, there was a time I swore by it. It's quite difficult to find out which are the bonafide brands and which are fakes.
I think if you're going to take a punt on it the it's only worth getting the higher strength ones and use when you need, keep in the store cupboard for 'emergencies'.
Your local honey is supposed to be as good - if you can get local honey. P
Hi Peege,There is a bonfire brand ,and that is it has to have the letters UMF,I do believe it's 5+or10+. After one day of using it I would recommend it to anyone rather than antibiotics,of course it depends how you use it.
I still wouldn't bother with a weak one. I used to use 10+ for every day, say on a coffee spoon 2xdaily and have 20+ or 25+ for when unwell and needing a blast at it. I read a newspaper article (not The Daily Mail) last year recommending a brand beginning with C as a bonafide one.
Apparently there is more manuka honey for sale than is possible to produce from the manuka bushes which only grow in New Zealand
Hi Peege ,I dare say your right this is trial and error for me,I didn't know it went higher than 10+ but I do know it has to have
UFM on it,but I'll take what you say on board and take a look.
Hi Gemini71 - like you, I too have been wondering about Manuka Honey. There are conflicting reports out there suggesting regular honey is as good but the evidence for Manuka is still pretty good, isn't it? I'm going to have a word with my local health shop and see what they think; it's privately run so, not one of the big nationals. Manuka honey is an expensive item but if it works then . . . 
Hi Covenham,If you decide to give it a try get the one with UMF 5+\10+.
The best way to take it is a spoonful in a glass of warm water with fresh lemon. My hubby and I both started with a Chest infection yesterday ,I'm the one with Emphesema ,and this morning I feel fine,he's suffering because he couldn't be bothered to give it a try.
Thank you for the fresh lemon and warm water tip and yes, I bought some Manuka Honey today - oddly enough it is UMF 5+/10+
The woman who owns and runs the Health Shop in our village explained to me why Manuka Honey is better than normal honey bought from supermarkets. It's because the bees take the pollen from the Tea Tree blossom that makes Manuka honey and that's where the difference lies, as it is naturally antibacterial, anti fungal and anti-inflammatory plant - normal honey does not have these properties. Tea Tree is only grown in Australia and New Zealand and is very carefully regulated by their governments for overseas distribution.
Thanks for your reply and good health X
Dear oh dear, your health shop lady needs to get her facts straight. The tea tree grows in Australia.
Manuka bush or tree only grows in New Zealand xxx
Captain Cook and the early settlers to the Antipodes used the dark green leaves from this bush/tree to make a reasonable tea drink - hence the name Tea Tree.
The Maori name for this bush/tree is pronounced Manuka
The Common name we use today is Tea Tree
It is a misconception that Manuka is only grown in New Zealand, as it is also grown in Tasmania, Victoria and New South Wales in Australia too.
I think my Health Shop lady knew her facts peege
Hi Covenham. I'm not sure that's quite right. True tea tree oil comes from the Melaleuca tree, which grows only in Aus (mainly NSW) & isn't used in honey production. Manuka honey comes from bees harvesting the Leptospermum bush. Both belong to the myrtle family, but they are different plants. Confusing!
Hmmm curiouser and curiouser.
Where are our antipodean friends when you need them.
Whilst I've read over and over that Manuka honey is produced only in New Zealand I'm happy to be corrected. P
according to wikipedia:
Mānuka honey is produced by introduced European honey bees (Apis mellifera) foraging on the mānuka or tea tree (Leptospermum scoparium) which grows uncultivated throughout New Zealand and southeastern Australia.[
Yes but just to clarify - Leptospermum is sometimes known as the New Zealand tea tree bush, but Melaleuca is the one we all know as producing tea tree oil.
Ooh I see you managed to get a squiggle on your "manuka" - very clever
I only buy it from Holland and Barrett - telling myself that it must be the right stuff if they are selling it! It is marvellous for healing cuts , etc...it also has kept my infections at bay (at least I think it has). Worth a try, but to be honest you can't know definitely whether it is helping or not. My feelings are, anything is worth a try
I have spent hundreds on Manuka honey believing it to be the best,I saw Trust me I'm a Doctor and although it's good it couldn't be proven what happens once it's in the stomach as no tests have ever been done,I know it works for wounds,I did take it for a long time,felt good,but I also have not used it for months now and I am still good despite having IPF,it is very very expensive for the 24+ so you will need to think very hard about it or try it and make your own mind up.Sooki.
Read my post below.
I would just like to say to all the doubters,if you have COPD,in my case Emphesema and you decide to give it a go,get the one with UMF 5+\10+,and take it in pure lemon juice and warm water,surely it's got to be better than antibiotics or steroids,and don't you think all our bodies are different,so what works for one won't work for another.
Stop watching TV programs and try for yourself,what you got to loose.
7-8yrs ago I was on a life support machine,and my family was told I would not see the night through,I have never felt so ill in my life,and the pains in my Stomack due to being pumped with antibiotics and steroids was horrendous. Since then I spend my days drinking pure lemon juice in water,you just google how that can help you when your immune system is low.
I haven't even had a cold in 8yrs,up until yesterday,my hubbies had several.
Anything that don't fill the pharmasutical company's pockets,and makes me well I'm all for. Surely a few quid is better than antibiotics that are doing you no favours at all. Rant over. Just trying to help, I know only too well of the overwhelming feeling of not being able to breath.
I agree money isn't more important than health, the trouble is paying for Manuka and getting allotment!
Not just Manuka,freshly squeezed lemon, in warm water.
Like I say every bodies different,but if something builds up your immune system and makes you feel better,isn't it worth the money and a try. If you would rather stick with antibiotics and steroids and do your body more harm your choice.
Myself I'll give anything a try,sod money.
Personally I just don't like being ripped off! Happy to pay for the right stuff.
How do you know your being ripped off. That's what you've got Google for.
If I believed everything I read on Google I would be a basket case! Anyway no need to get upset I use honey, lemon and various herbs, I am just aware that there are unscrupulous people who take advantage of needy people.
I've got to the point were what ever antibiotic I take will not clear my cough and even the steroids aren't working to clear the wheeze and breathlessness so I will try anything that is going to get my breathing back to normal.
I started taking it around the middle of November, as well as Turmeric (with pepper). Also started on a low dosage long term antibiotic.
I don't know if it's plecibo affect or not, but before, I felt so bad for so long, but within days of starting the honey and turmeric , I felt better and for the most part still am. I have had to use my emergency antibiotics several times, but no stays in the hospital. AND no bronchoscopies (tubes are incerted into the lungs to suction out the mucus) so far this winter. Last winter I had 5 bronchoscopies.
We are spending this month in a warmer climate, I've been able to snorkel, kayak and hike. I'm 66 and have had this illness for 27 years.
Try it, start thinking outside the box.
Beth
Couldn't agree with you more Beth.
I wish you well Beth. I'm a great believer in we don't all work the same ,but if your ill anything is worth a try. Sod money.
Sod money? Have you any idea how little money some people are living on Gemini? They just don't have the choice to do what you are suggesting, even if it was sensible to give up on ABs etc.
Oh and Beth I've heard a lot about Tumeric,so you've probably hit on something. Good luck to you.x
Beth hi - do you take the Turmeric in powder form and if so, how much? Thanks 😊
I take it in capsule form, 1,000 mg twice a day, along with pepper. The pepper is suppose to inhance the effectiveness of the turmeric. I use peppercorns, just swallow a half a dozen with the capsules. Im not sure if 1,000 mg is too much or not. I was taking just 500mg once a day and it wasn't doing any good.
Some people find it in bulk form and use it in smoothies or drinks and add the pepper.
Well said,Amanda,give it a go. When I say lemon juice I mean freshly squeezed lemons,that build your immune system,also try steam to loosen the wheeze.
Thanks geminie that my problem I have been told I have a low immune system but never been told how to build it up thanks for your help xx
Another way is oranges,either juiced or if you can eat them,lemon juice in a glass of water I defeinately believe in.Bluberries another good source. Hope that's some help.x
Thanks I will try that xx
Hi Amanda. If you've been told you have low immunity, you could ask for referral to an immunologist for this to be investigated. If there is an identifiable problem with your immune system, eg not enough antibodies to fight off infections, it's often possible to treat that. Just a thought.
Thank you Hanne. I will do that
Is that 1/2 a lemon squeezed into a glass of warm water? I'm keen to know how your quantities here please - thanks 😊
Hi Covenham, I don't use Pacific measurements, I would squeeze about 1/2 a lemon in a glass,to begin with its a bit strong,but I then keep topping my glass up with water all day,so it gradually weakens it.
I'm talking this without a cold or infection,just to keep your body topped up with Vit C. You will find if you do it daily,you seem to crave it. As I said I haven't even had a cold until last Thursday in 8yrs,so I think it must be doing something. When I started with a cold last Thursday ,I done it two or three times a day in warm water and a big teaspoonful of Manuka honey,by Sunday I felt well,so that kept me off the AB and steroids for the first time ever.
I'm not saying this works for everybody as all our bodies work differently,but it's worth a try,it's only lemon,it's not going to do you no harm, and according to my GP, people who suffer COPD,should keep hydrated. If there's anything else you want to ask me,your more than Welcolme to PM me. Take care.
Manuka, lemon, oranges, turmeric- all good stuff and I use them all. However, if ever on life support again, I want antibiotics not fruit or honey!
I think that goes without saying!!!!!! But if I can stay well without drugs,I think that's a better way to go. I've got a box full of drugs I have to take for other health issues,I've also been on a life support twice.
If I knew years ago what I know now,I wouldn't have the issues I have with my health. So I think sarcasm goes over my head.
I wasn't being sarcastic! I was being straight forward!
How about fruit and honey with ab's in? x
I'll go with that Cal 😂
Well if the abs and steroids aren't working and the doctors don't know why I will try anything no harm in trying different things
Which if taken to often they won't work your body becomes resistant to them.
Also as I say over and over again were all different,and like you Amanda,I'm willing to give anything a go.
I have what is being investigated for IBS,I suffer severer pain daily,I scan Google forums or anything,and I'd give anything a try for relief. So if I can keep myself reasonably healthy,by other means I will. Give it a go Amanda.x
I agree with you Gemini I will try the things you have suggested. Because none of the medication I am given helps nether the nebuliser helps and they change the antibiotic every time I go to my GP about my breathing take care xx
You take care as well,read up on all you can. 😄🍋
off topic - coping with Christmas.
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