Wound Healing By Nature - Honey
Before the discovery of antibiotics, honey was used on wounds to prevent and treat wound infection. You probably already have this botanically derived therapy right in your kitchen cupboard too!The use of honey in wound healing dates back to the Sumerians in 2000 B.C.. The high sugar content can dehydrate bacterial cells, while acidity can inhibit growth and division of many bacteria. Honey also has an enzyme, glucose oxidase, that reduces oxygen to hydrogen peroxide, which kills bacteria.
The most potent naturally occurring honey is thought to be Manuka honey. It is derived from the flower of the tea tree bush which has additional antibacterial properties.
More recently, widespread prescription of antibiotics have resulted in the problem of antibiotic resistance and the emergence of hard-to-kill super-bugs such as MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus). The use of honey as a wound antiseptic is not only desirable, but highly preferable (Journal of Wound Care, 2004).This is because, since honey is technically not an antibiotic, the use of honey on wounds does not contribute to the problem of antibiotic resistance.
