Honey makes a comeback as nature's antibiotic

by Adams Briscoe (Subscribe to Adams Briscoe's posts)
Dec 28th 2007 8:00AM

Categories: Diet & Weight Loss, Celebs & Entertainment, Reviews & Products

Before too long, we may be able to go to our local drug store and pick up honey adhesive strips. It worked for the Egyptians, why not now? That's the thinking behind Medihoney, a new product based on manuka honey which has been known to kill germs and heal wounds where traditional antibiotics fail.

Dressing wounds has been an issue for diabetes patients when drug-resistant germs keep some abrasions from healing. This is where honey comes in. Using a material based on seaweed, they soak the dressing in leptospermum honey. It will not only kill microbes, but soak up fluids and get rid of the bad smell of wounds.

Honey being used in this way has picked up in other parts of the world already. Even when the concentration is diluted ten times, this stuff can kill bacteria. Let's hope honey-based medical products hit the open market soon -- some hospitals are already using it! People with weak immune systems or persistent trauma will be able to get a lot out of this.

Source

Comments (18)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

martin klapper 12-30-2007 @ 6:17PM

When I was in my early teens I had severe hay-fever attacks eyes burning and itching, sneezing. In Innsbruck, Austria while in the Army, I had an attack that almost killed me. I started a regimen of at least one teaspoon of honey every day. It completely curred me.

Martin Klapper

M 12-30-2007 @ 2:48PM

Coming from a household that values home remedies, I have been drinking honey with my tea since becoming ill last week. In addition to traditionally prescribed antibiotics, it seems to be the only thing that really calms my constant coughing. I'm happy to hear that honey is being used to help others who are struggling in different ways.

jenanniej 12-30-2007 @ 6:36PM

I'm so glad 2 find out that i'm not the only person that always drinks tea w/ honey when i'm sick. i also put lemons in my tea cause citrus is good 4 u 2 when ur sick!

Exzur 12-30-2007 @ 2:58PM

Until sopmeone comes up with why it is dangerous in the long run.

John H 12-30-2007 @ 3:08PM

Manuka honey comes in various strengths (there should be a number on the bottle). The university studies were done with a strength of 11+ or better. Be aware that if you buy this honey you need a grade strong enough. The honey alone is not enough

kj 12-30-2007 @ 3:50PM

the pharmaceutical companies will get congress to outlaw it.

sGC 12-30-2007 @ 4:20PM

OR, the pharmaceutical companies will buy the patent on it and then sell it to us medicare/medicaid recipients for hundreds of dollars per month. Better stock up on the stuff now while you can!!!

monica singleton 12-30-2007 @ 4:38PM

now that we have heard our bee hives are dying off it seems honey will be a miracle cure we will no longer have. Not to mention the dominio effect of no bees to pollonate. We are so screwed.

erica 12-30-2007 @ 4:57PM

what about the people who are allergic to it??? and the Dr. tells them...you will be okay it is diluted 10x....

Dr. D 12-30-2007 @ 5:12PM

Warning - young infants should not be exposed to honey. Honey can contain C. botulinum spores and is a well know cause for Infant Botulism, which can be lethal if not recognized and managed appropriately....

Mason younG 12-30-2007 @ 5:26PM

amazing how this comes on heels of our diminishing honeybee population,,,,that ought to drive the price up even more,,,what wont they think of next

Carl Tapp 12-30-2007 @ 5:36PM

VERY SLOWLY--THE FDA AND CONVENTIONAL DOCTORS ARE LEARNING THAT MANY NATURAL HEALING METHODS WORK. HONEYBEES PRODUCE SEVERAL THINGS THAT ARE BENEFICIAL TO HUMANS. HONEY , ROYAL JELLY, PROPOLIS
AND BEE VENOM . PROPOLIS IS WHAT THE BEES USE AS AN
ANTIBIOTIC TO SEAL THE HIVE AND PROTECT TH COLONY .
BEE VENOM IS USED TO CURE SEVERAL THINGS AND BEE STINGS ARE USED TO TREAT ARTHRITIS , M.S. AND MORE .

LIsa 12-30-2007 @ 6:36PM

There is a woman here in the United States who is doing a study on this use of honey for wound care in diabetics. Her initial results are wonderfully promising. It should help others as well, especially those who have resistent bacterial infections. Heres a link to an article about this.

Honey Therapy Could Give Diabetics Hope when Facing Possible Amputations
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/236321/honey_therapy_could_give_diabetics.html

Jo Ann 12-30-2007 @ 6:59PM

Also, remember, that Honey is the only thing that does not go bad. Here in Florida it seems as though the Honeybees are becoming extinct because of various problems. The price of honey has risen lately, and we're told it will go higher.

R. Posdal 12-30-2007 @ 8:04PM

I thought I knew honey. and honey is honey...but what is Manuka honey ?

Esperanza 12-30-2007 @ 8:14PM

Martin, thanks for sharing I just read ans article where states that honey works in a way similar to allergy shots and it builds up a tolerance to local pollens, the article said honey made about five to 10 miles from the buyer's home is most useful. Anyhow beeing an asthmatic since my teens maybe it help me to do the same you did.

Wayne Peterson 12-30-2007 @ 8:45PM

I've read that natural honey - the darker, the better - is excellent for the healing of surgical wounds and others, including burns. I bought a bottle at a health food store and took it to the auto repair shop where my step-son works in case of a burn from gas or battery acid. Thankfully, they haven't had to use it yet. It speeds the healing and leaves less of a scar. Wayne D. Peterson, Reno, Nevada

missy 1-13-2008 @ 6:37AM

monica singleton said...

now that we have heard our bee hives are dying off it seems honey will be a miracle cure we will no longer have.

not to worry monica! humans wont last more than 5 years without bees so its a non-issue :)