Honeybees extract nectar from the flowers of a variety plants including clover and raspberry and process it into a concentrated sweet, thick, yellow to golden-brown, syrupy liquid known as honey. Honey, available in the market, is a purified and diluted form of the original product obtained from the honeycombs and is rich in sugars such as dextrose and levulose. Honey has been used historically as a sweetening agent and to treat a variety of health conditions. It is generally safe to use, although allergic reactions occur in sensitive people. Talk to a doctor before using honey to treat health problems.
Infections
"National Geographic" reported in September 2009 that a dark, bitter honey made by bees feeding on the nectar from manuka bush in New Zealand, inhibited the growth of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in the laboratory. Proteins such as apidaecins and abaecin extracted from honey have also demonstrated antibacterial activity in the laboratory, says Drugs.com. These claims, however, have not been proven in actual clinical cases, and it is important to use honey under the supervision of a doctor to treat infections.
Wound Healing
Drugs.com also states that honey helps manage the disruption of abdominal wounds and prevents the formation of tumors at the site of surgical wounds. However, a review published in the June 2001 edition of the journal "BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine" suggests that although some older studies indicate that honey was as effective as standard medications in treating wounds due to its antibacterial and antiseptic properties, there isn't enough scientific evidence to prove these benefits conclusively. Thus, honey may not replace your existing wound-healing medications. Always consult a doctor before using honey to treat wounds.
Cough
In another study published in the December 2007 edition of the journal "Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine," parents rated honey as the best remedy to treat the symptoms of nocturnal cough and the sleep disorders associated with respiratory tract infections. The study recommends honey as an effective alternative treatment for cough in all children older than 1 year old. However, talk to a doctor to determine the actual cause of the cough before using honey to treat it.
Cancer
Some animal studies, such as the one published in February 2005 edition of "Journal of Science of Food and Agriculture," have demonstrated that oral administration of honey inhibits the formation of tumors in animals, especially if it is given before injecting the cancer cells. However, these results have not been shown in actual clinical cases and more research is needed before replacing cancer medications with honey.
References
- Drugs.com : Honey
- National Geographic: How Honey Curbs the MRSA Superbug
- "BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine"; Systematic Review of the Use of Honey as a Wound Dressing; Owen A Moore, et al; June 2001
- "Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine"; Effect of Honey, Dextromethorphan, and No Treatment on Nocturnal Cough and Sleep Quality for Coughing Children and Their Parents; Ian M. Paul, et al; December 2007
- "Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture"; Honey-bee Products in Prevention and/or Therapy of Murine Transplantable Tumours; Nada Oršolic, et al; February 2005
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