Bee honey

Honey has a bactericidal, hygroscopic, anti-inflammatory effect (the prostaglandins which are highly regulated in the wound are reduced), has a low pH value of 3.5-5.5 and is widely and easily available. Honey applications to painful wounds resulted in a stronger reduction of pain than silver sulfadiazine or pure sugar.

Responsible for the hygroscopy of the honey is its high sugar content. Thus, liquid is extracted from the wound without drying it out. It comes to the reduction of edematous swellings.

bactericidal: Hydrogen peroxide and methylglyoxal (MGO) are essentially responsible for the proven bactericidal effect of honey. Likewise Melanoidine those with the Glykation, a non-enzymatic reaction between reduced sugars and amino groups develops (so-called Maillard reaction). Furthermore bee honey contains relevant amounts of vitamin C (15-35mg/kg) as well as defensins which were produced by the bees themselves.

Not to be underestimated are various physical properties of honey which prevent wound dressings from sticking. Dressings can be changed largely painlessly. Furthermore the application does not lead to maceration of the wound edges. By its viscosity the honey represents an almost insurmountable barrier. Bacteria cannot get on and into the wound from the outside.

Contraindication is a previously known sensitization to propolis

Bee honey has played an important role in wound treatment for humans and animals for many years. Honey therapy of wounds has receded into the background with regard to "modern" wound therapeutics. The honey was already used in ancient Egypt, ancient Greece and China.

1. Braithwaite I et al (2015) Randomised controlled trial of topical kanuka honey for the treatment of rosacea. BMJ Open 5: e007651.
2. Goharshenasan P et al (2016) Topical Applicationof Honey on Surgical Wounds: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Research Complement Medicine 23:12-15.
3. Halstead FD et al. (2016) In vitro activity of an engineered honey, medical-grade honeys, and antimicrobial wound dressings against biofilm-producing clinical bacterial isolates. J Wound Care. 25:93-94.
4. Mashood AA et al (2006) Honey compared with 1% silver sulfadiazine cream in the treatment of superficial and partial thickness burns. J Pakistan Assoc Dermatol 16: 14-19
5. Singer A et al (2016) Honey in modern wound treatment. Act Dermatol 42: 25-30
6. Tsang KK et al (2015) The Anti-Inflammatory and Antibacterial Action of Nanocrystalline Silver and Manuka Honey on the Molecular Alternation of Diabetic Foot Ulcer: A Comprehensive Literature Review. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med doi:10.1155/2015/218283.