Editor’s note: This article has been reprinted. First published October 10, 2016.
If you’ve ever heard of Manuka honey (Scientific name Leptospermum scoparium), you probably already know that it has been used as a treatment for inflammation and bacterial infections for thousands of years.
Honey from Down Under may be useful in reducing the risk of infection and preventing colonies of pathogenic bacteria, known as biofilms, from developing on catheters and other medical devices, according to research from the University of Southampton in England. It has been reported that there is.
Catheters are typically used to drain or monitor the amount of urine a patient excretes. According to The Journal of Pathology:
“Residual medical devices contain biofilms that have been shown to cause infection and act as reservoirs for pathogens. Urinary catheters are often left in place for significant periods of time and are prone to crusting and biofilm formation.
Strategies to minimize biofilm development support an active area of research in the biomedical field. Manuka honey has (among other things) robust antibacterial properties.”1
The study involved adding Manuka honey to bacterial cultures, including E. coli, which causes up to 90% of urinary tract infections (UTIs).2 Proteus mirabilis, a bacterium that can escape the intestines under certain conditions and cause urinary tract infections;3 Observe the effect of honey on biofilm development. Medical News Today reported:
“After 72 hours, the team found that the highest dilution of honey (16.7%) reduced bacterial stickiness by 77%, while all other dilutions reduced stickiness by at least 70% by that point.
In terms of biofilm growth, researchers found reduced growth at all concentrations of manuka honey. [four] hour; At the highest concentration, growth was reduced by 38%. [four] After 24 hours, this increases to 46%.”4
Manuka Honey in the Real World
Part of the research protocol included diluting Manuka honey to various concentrations and testing it for a variety of bacteria. Even at the weakest level, 3.3%, it was still able to slow biofilm development and prevent bacterial colonization.
The researchers concluded that in all cases honey “significantly inhibited bacterial attachment.” At least that was the case in lab tests.
In real life, biofilms can become a breeding ground for infections and dull initial medical problems. With approximately 100 million catheters sold worldwide each year, they are a natural source of UTIs and other infections.
However, scientists want to conduct additional testing before recommending honey’s use on catheters in real hospital settings, but the Time article noted:
“Antibiotic resistance is a huge problem worldwide. Bacteria can naturally become resistant to the drugs used to treat them, and the widespread use of antibiotics in medicine and agriculture over the years has contributed to the problem.”5
They say doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results is the definition of mental illness, but doctors continue to apply and prescribe the same ineffective methods and medications to patients with UTIs and other health problems, often resulting in illness. Pain and suffering become more severe. And there was always honey right under their noses.
Lack of Research Doesn’t Minimize the Effects of Manuka Honey
Although clinical trials for manuka honey seem impressive, some medical organizations claim there is insufficient evidence that it will be useful in a medical setting because it has not been “proven” in the right settings.
Despite the great success of their experiment, the Southampton researchers were forced to insist that honey was just as valuable as the other substances they investigated. In fact, unlike other compounds they investigated (which, incidentally, are still in use), bacteria have not yet developed resistance to manuka honey.
The study concluded, “In fact, no drug or dressing has strong support, suggesting that this field is either underinvestigated or difficult to address.” A similar study conducted in Cardiff, England in late 2011 found very similar results. The Society for Microbiology reported as follows:
“Manuka honey has broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, and its use in clinical settings is beginning to be recognized as antibiotic resistance continues to emerge and established systemic treatments become inadequate. New inhibitors may have implications for clinical practice.”6
Mixing Manuka honey and Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria together resulted in “significant apoptosis and dissociation of cells from the biofilm.” This experiment provided further evidence for the benefits of this honey for topical wound application.7 According to the Oxford Journal:
“Since the late 1980s, resurgences of serious invasive infections caused by Streptococcus pyogenes (also known as Group A Streptococcus) have been reported worldwide.
“The two most serious invasive conditions are streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) and necrotizing fasciitis, both of which are associated with high morbidity and mortality.”8
Honey’s potential for natural defense and disease treatment may make it a simple solution that should be heeded by the wider medical community, as well as anyone looking to apply natural remedies at home.
Honey — natural preservative, antibiotic and anti-inflammatory
The flower nectar used in food, also known as honey, is concentrated through dehydration inside honeycombs and “has a very complex chemical composition that varies depending on the botanical source,” one study says.
“Honey has been reported to have an inhibitory effect on about 60 species of bacteria, some fungi and viruses.
The antioxidant capacity of honey is important in many disease conditions and is due to its wide range of compounds, including phenolics, peptides, organic acids, enzymes, and Maillard reaction products.
Honey has also been used for some gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, inflammatory and neoplastic conditions.”9
Depending on the country of origin, a variety of “medical grade” honey-based products are currently available, provided they comply with regulatory standards in the UK, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and elsewhere.
However, only manuka honey was used in the Southampton trial, and similar scale tests have been conducted since then. Thicker than regular honey, this honey is specially collected from bees that forage on the Manuka tree, mainly found in New Zealand. Dr Bashir Lwaleed, a member of the Southampton team, noted that he was the first team to propose the use of Manuka honey to reduce the risk of infection and prevent biofilm development on catheters.
Still, some scientists and wound care experts await better evidence. BBC Health reported the reaction of wound care expert Dr Dame Nicky Cullum, who reviewed the evidence and responded: “People like natural, but it’s not always more effective.” As reported by BBC Health, she said:
“This work at Southampton is at a very early stage so there is no need to get too excited. “But it’s an interesting method worth pursuing…Clearly more research is needed to make sure it doesn’t irritate the bladder or cause other problems.”10
Honey helps
You may have already learned that honey is very effective for sore throats and coughs. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it forms a protective layer over the area, reducing inflammation and irritation, making it a true emollient.11 It has also been shown to help with genital herpes12 And cancer.
All kinds of burns, cuts, and insect bites have been successfully treated with raw honey for thousands of years. Before the advent of penicillin, it was a treatment for wound healing, and modern medicine has discovered many more uses.
US News detailed the story of a woman whose toe was “cratered” by a spider bite. In response, general doctors suggested skin grafting and the possibility of losing the foot. Instead, she was drawn to a doctor who wanted to treat her wounds with honey-impregnated bandages. Within about 5 weeks the scars were gone. The report added:
“Using honey to heal wounds is not a new idea. Anthropologists have found evidence that ancient Egyptians used this approach as far back as 5,000 years ago. Aristotle recorded the use of the sweet substance as an ointment for wounds around 350 BC. This practice has persisted in certain tribal areas of Africa to this day. “But most of the 2 million Americans who suffer from chronic foot ulcers are probably unaware of the healing properties of honey.”13
Today, antibacterial Manuka honey is the only type of honey approved for use as a medical device.14
Raw honey — antifungal, antibacterial, antibacterial super substance
Regular, unfiltered, raw honey is not as potent, but is known to have its benefits. In fact, raw honey has antibacterial properties. This creates a suitable environment for healthy bacteria to grow in the digestive tract while fighting harmful bacteria associated with chronic sinusitis.
Pure honey also promotes healing of local wounds such as ulcers or sunburns, helps fight viruses such as herpes, and supports a healthy heart by lowering homocysteine levels and helping control allergies.
One study listed its effectiveness against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which causes infections “among patients with burn wounds, cystic fibrosis, acute leukemia, organ transplants, and intravenous drug poisoning” from about 1960 to the early 1980s.15
Honey contains amazing properties. Scientists are just beginning to catalog some of them. one study16 He explains that honey’s healing properties come from its antibacterial activity and its ability to keep wounds moist while tissue heals and repairs.
Additionally, the antibacterial action (in most honeys) results from the enzymatic production of hydrogen peroxide. Manuka honey can be said to be non-peroxide honey because its antibacterial effect remains even when the action of hydrogen peroxide is blocked.
Some of this action may be due to high sugars and low pH levels, which inhibit the growth of microorganisms. Studies have shown that Manuka honey “has been reported to have an inhibitory effect on approximately 60 species of bacteria, including aerobic and anaerobic, gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.”17
Not all honey (manufactured) is created equal
The same study observes:
“Medical honey has strong in vitro bactericidal activity against antibiotic-resistant bacteria that cause several life-threatening infections in humans. “However, there is large variation in the antibacterial activity of some natural honeys, which is caused by spatial and temporal variations in the honey source.”18
Be careful when purchasing honey because not all honey on the shelves is the pure, raw, unfiltered variety that has these properties. In fact, highly processed honey has been altered to the point that no therapeutic properties remain. Most of this type is produced in China and does not even have pollen particles. If you want to know how honey is counterfeited, read my article “Honey Laundering: Is Your Honey Real or Fake?”
One final note: In a review titled “Comparison of Medical and Edible Honey with Respect to Antibacterial Efficacy,” WoundResearch.com concluded that “both patients and practitioners should understand the limitations and benefits of self-treatment with supermarket honey.” Exclusive We provide phosphorous wound care products.”19
