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Manuka Honey Treatment for Gastroenteritis

Jun 14, 2011 | By Christine Princeton
Manuka Honey Treatment for Gastroenteritis
Photo Credit honey image by Maria Brzostowska from Fotolia.com

Diarrheal diseases such as gastroenteritis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, are the leading causes of childhood death and morbidity worldwide. Over 200,000 hospitalizations every year are due to acute gastroenteritis. In fact, according to the CDC, gastroenteritis accounts for 9 percent of all hospitalizations of children under the age of five years old.

In a study published in the "British Medical Journal," honey was discovered to have healing effects in cases of infantile gastroenteritis, substantially reducing the length of the illness.

Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the lining of the stomach and intestines. The majority of cases are viral followed closely by bacterial. The CDC explains that acute gastroenteritis is a rapid onset diarrheal disease that is associated with constitutional symptoms such as fever, nausea, bloating, vomiting and abdominal pain. In serious cases, sufferers can become severely dehydrated and lose large quantities of electrolytes which are essential for survival.

Bacterial Causes

"Blueprints: Pediatrics" book authored by Drs. Bradley Marino, M.D., M.P.P and Katie Fine, M.D. provides a list of bacteria that cause diarrhea and acute gastroenteritis. The list includes Shigella spp., Salmonella spp., Yersinia spp., Campylobacter and Escherichia coli.

According to the University of Waikato, manuka honey is antimicrobial properties against a variety of bacteria including Escheria coli, Salmonella spp., Shigella spp. and Yersinia enterocolitica. No honey bacteriocidal activity was found against Camplyobacter.

Viral Causes

According to Epocrates online, approximately 87 percent of gastroenteritis cases are caused by viruses. The most common viral cause is the rotavirus, making up greater than 72 percent of gastroenteritis hospitalizations worldwide, followed by adenoviruses, noroviruses and caliciviruses.

Although no studies have been performed researching the affects of honey on the rotavirus, honey still has demonstrated antivral effects upon the rubella virus in an article published in the "Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine," thus hinting at it's potential effects against other viruses.

In addition to that, honey has been shown to have extraordinary anti-inflammatory properties. In a study published in the journal of "Experimental and Toxicologic Pathology," researchers demonstrated that manuka honey had a protective effect on the gastic mucosal lining in rats. Honey's high osmolarity was found to prevent hemorrhagic lesions and necrosis of the gastrointestinal linings, thus promoting the protection and healing of the gastrointestinal system.

Oral Rehydration

In an article published in the "British Medical Journal," diluted honey was discovered to be more effective than other oral rehydration solutions by reducing the duration of the illness. Also, the researchers concluded that the high sugar content in honey promoted electrolyte and water reabsorption in the gut. At the same time, honey does not result in osmotic diarrhea due to its ratio of fructose to glucose being greater than one to one.

Warnings

It is important that you consult your physician before attempting any home remedy. Especially you should seek medical help in the situations of fevers greater than 101 degrees Fahrenheit, bloody diarrhea, confusion, convulsions, signs of dehydration, fainting, persistent vomiting for longer than two days and vomiting of blood.

References

Article reviewed by Lynda Moultry Belcher Last updated on: Jun 14, 2011

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