Leg ulcers are open sores occurring on your lower extremities, most commonly as the result of impaired venous circulation. Blood clotting abnormalities, immobilization, chemotherapy, skin trauma, prolonged skin compression and certain medical conditions -- high blood pressure or diabetes, for example -- can increase your risks for developing a leg ulcer. These injuries can be difficult to heal, and they sometimes become infected. Manuka honey dressings may be useful for treating leg ulcers, but check with your doctor to see if such an approach is appropriate for you.
Manuka Honey
Manuka honey is produced by bees that gather nectar from the manuka bush, or "Leptospermum scoparium," a shrub that grows exclusively in Australia and New Zealand. Like other honeys, manuka honey is naturally antimicrobial by virtue of the osmotic effects of its high sugar content. However, only manuka honey contains methylglyoxal, or MGO, a potent antibacterial agent that has demonstrated activity against several bacteria, including Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA.
Wound Care
According to scientists at the University of Bonn in Germany, honey has been used for thousands of years to treat burns, wounds and other skin conditions. In addition to their high osmolarity, honeys contain varying levels of peroxides and bee-derived proteins -- and MGO, in the case of manuka honey -- that act directly to kill bacteria. Furthermore, honey hastens wound healing via its anti-inflammatory effects and its ability to provide a suitable environment for regrowth of your skin cells.
Manuka and Leg Ulcers
In the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Germany, manuka honey has enjoyed some popularity as a treatment for leg ulcers and other chronic skin wounds. At the Royal Surrey County Hospital in the U.K., physicians in the wound care and maxillofacial units have been successfully using manuka-impregnated dressings since 2006 and, in 2001, doctors at the University of Wales reported using manuka honey dressings to heal a MRSA-infected leg ulcer in an immunocompromised patient.
Considerations and Precaution
All honeys possess natural antibacterial and wound-healing properties, and manuka honey may be uniquely equipped in this regard due to its methylglyoxal content. However, not all manuka honeys contain equal amounts of MGO, and manuka honey might not be the best means of dealing with your leg ulcer. Notably, a study published in the January 2011 issue of "Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery" suggested that collagen dressings were superior to manuka honey for patient comfort and avoiding the need for skin grafting. Ask your physician if manuka honey is the best way to treat your leg ulcer.
References
- "BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine"; Comparison of the Antimicrobial Activity of Ulmo Honey From Chile and Manuka Honey Against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus, Escherichia Coli and Pseudomonas Aeruginosa; O. Sherlock, et al.; September 2010
- "Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine"; Medical Honey for Wound Care -- Still the 'Latest Resort'?; A. Simon, et al.; June 2009
- "The British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery"; Manuka Honey Dressing: An Effective Treatment for Chronic Wound Infections; B.G. Visavadia, et al.; January 2008
- "Journal of Dermatological Treatment"; Healing of an MRSA-Colonized, Hydroxyurea-Induced Leg Ulcer With Honey; S. Natarajan, et al.; March 2001
- "Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery"; Collagen Dressing Versus Conventional Dressings in Burn and Chronic Wounds: A Retrospective Study; O. Singh, et al.; January-April 2011
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