Glossary

Active healing honey
Inhibits bacterial growth, reduces infections and enhances healing.

Antimicrobial
Antimicrobial quality is measured by Total Activity (TA) and it is given by its hydrogen peroxide activity. The higher the Total Activity (TA) the more active its antimicrobial strength. Total activity honey can inhibit or slow the growth of microbes = bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. Many antimicrobials come from nature and plants, moulds and essential oils. Antimicrobial means our honey can help to inhibit bacterial growth, reduce infection and enhance healing.

Antioxidants
Natural flavonoids and polyphenols which promote good health. Antioxidants work by reducing the number of compounds in the body that compromise their function and they do this by preventing oxidation. Oxidation is the chemical reaction that can produce free radicals that lead can lead to chain reactions that may damage cells.

Cholesterol
Antioxidants in honey, known as flavonoids, can improve fat metabolism and dispose of the bad cholesterol that can narrow the arteries. The antioxidants in honey can prevent cholesterol from being moved out of the blood and into the lining of blood vessels.

Crystallisation
A natural process when honey turns from liquid to a granular state. It is a sign of pure honey and it doesn’t change the quality of the honey. Crystallisation occurs when glucose separates from water in the honey, the glucose remains in the form of crystals. The levels of fructose and glucose in the composition of the honey will determine how quickly a honey will crystallise. Glucose is the cause of crystallisation due to its lower solubility, whilst fructose will remain in a liquid state. A honey with higher fructose levels will remain liquid for longer than a honey with high glucose levels.

Digestive issues
Honey functions as a prebiotic and probiotic stimulating intestinal health.

Flavonoids
Have a protective effect on the body and are found in unpasteurised honey. Flavonoids are a diverse group of phytonutrients found in a variety of foods and are powerful antioxidants with anti-inflammatory and immune system benefits.

Fructose
Total activity honey has low glucose and high fructose levels so it is not as sweet as other honey. Fructose is absorbed more slowly and more evenly than glucose, making it perfect for exercise and diabetics. The high fructose levels means the honey will stay in a liquid form.

Glycaemic Index
High fructose levels give Jarrah a low GI score. Total activity honey has a higher level of fructose which is absorbed more slowly and more evenly than glucose, making it a natural energy source and perfect for exercise and suitable, in moderation, for people with diabetes. Foods with a high fructose content can help to burn fat while you sleep and increase stamina. Honey can help to maintain stable blood sugar levels and regulate the amount of insulin in the body and improve blood cholesterol levels.

Glucose oxidase
A slow release of hydrogen peroxide which fights against bacteria. The high levels of naturally occurring hydrogen peroxide can inhibit the growth of golden staph bacteria and the low moisture content helps to reduce the growth of bacteria that cause infections.

Honeycomb
Better known as beeswax, is a natural wax produced by honey bees and is edible. Eating honey in the comb is the most simple and purest form of enjoying honey and has been so for thousands of years. Beeswax has its own nutritional and health benefits which can help to lower cholesterol, help the digestive system, boosts the immune system and is extra dietary fibre.

Hydrogen Peroxide
The antimicrobial activity in active healing honey is due to the enzymatic production of hydrogen peroxide. Bees add an enzyme called oxidase which breaks down the glucose in nectar into gluconic acid and hydrogen peroxide. When honey is applied to a wound or skin infection or burn the serum from the tissues dilute the honey and raises its pH level activating the enzyme oxidase. Small quantities of hydrogen peroxide are produced directly on the wound, making honey the perfect, slow-release antimicrobial treatment for wounds, killing bacteria without harming the body tissue. The natural hydrogen peroxide levels in honey are fine to eat and are necessary to fight infection.

Hygroscopic activity
Honey is hygroscopic which means it has a low water content and draws moisture out of wounds which dehydrates bacteria.

Independently tested
Necta & Hive honey is tested by an accredited laboratory to determine the Total Activity, or levels of healing, giving you confidence in the integrity, traceability and quality of our honeys – from hive to market.

Jarrah tree active honey
rom the Eucalyptus family and therefore benefits from the medicinal properties including anti-inflammatory, decongestant, antiseptic and antibacterial. The resulting high antimicrobial properties make Jarrah a powerful healing honey.

Mono-floral
Honey from a single flower source and found regionally in remote locations around the world.

Peroxide honey
The antimicrobial activity in active healing honey is due to the enzymatic production of hydrogen peroxide which fights infection.

Polyphenols
Phenolic compounds which are found in natural plant foods that have antioxidant properties and help to protect the cells in the body from free radical damage and so are increasingly linked to good health.

Total activity
Natural beneficial enzymes and nutritional benefits to boost healing and immunity. The numerical TA rating of active honey indicates the strength of the antimicrobial potency of the honey, the higher the rating the greater the strength and the more powerful the healing properties.

15+ TA
Very high antimicrobial activity, superior healing properties.

20+ TA
High antimicrobial activity, excellent healing properties.

10+ TA
Medium antimicrobial activity, healing properties to maintain good health.

Marri/Red Gum tree active honey
From the Eucalyptus family and therefore benefits from the medicinal properties including anti-inflammatory, decongestant, antiseptic and antibacterial. The resulting high antimicrobial properties make Jarrah a powerful healing honey.

Unpasteurised honey
Natural honey which has not been heated so retains the enzymes and nutritional benefits to help boost health and immunity.