Honey & Calendula

Herbal medicine and naturopathy are two types of alternative medicine that use plants and other natural products for health and healing. Honey and calendula both have a long history of use in external and internal healing. Occasionally, both products are in the same ointment, but they are frequently used alone to treat similar conditions. Natural remedies can't take the place of professional medical advice, so talk to your doctor before using these therapies to treat any medical condition.

Honey

Honey, the sweet golden liquid produced by the honeybee, has antibacterial properties. Honey is comprised mostly of sugar, but it also contains water, protein, acids and additional nutrients. A 2009 study conducted in Amsterdam and published in 2009 in "The Journal of the Federation of American Societies of Experimental Biology" concluded that honey has the distinct ability to destroy harmful bacteria, making it potentially valuable in the fight against antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria.

Honey may be more or less effective, depending upon the plants from which bees gather pollen. Manuka honey, so called because beekeepers harvest it from hives located near the manuka bush, commonly known as the tea tree bush, may be more beneficial in treating burns, wounds and ulcers.

Calendula

Calendula, or Calendula officinalis, is known by gardeners as marigold, although the bright orange low-growing plants that are also sold as marigolds are not related. Calendula is an annual and readily seeds itself. It reaches 2 feet in height and bears soft yellow flowers from midsummer through autumn.

Calendula contains triterpene saponins, flavonoids, carotinoids, alcohols and hydroxycoumarins, which may be responsible for the herb's antibacterial and antiviral properties.

Potential Benefits

Both calendula and honey are potentially useful in treating minor burns and surface wounds, although clinical testing in this area is necessary to verify these benefits. Honey is found in traditional cough, cold and flu syrups and calendula may be effective for treating coughs and strep throat.

Considerations

Both calendula and honey are generally recognized as safe, but do not use calendula internally if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, unless directed to do so by your doctor. Do not give honey to children younger than 1 year of age, due to a slight risk of botulism.

The Food and Drug Administration does not oversee the production of herbal remedies and natural supplements so there is no assurance that calendula or honey are free from pesticides or other chemicals.