Editor’s Note: This article is a reprint. Originally published on October 10, 2016.
If you’ve ever heard of Manuka honey (scientific name Leptospermum scoparium), you probably know that it’s been used as a remedy for inflammation and bacterial infections for thousands of years.
A study by the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom found that honey from Down Under can help reduce the risk of infection and prevent pathogens known as biofilm from forming on catheters and other medical devices.
Catheters are generally used to control or drain a patient’s urine output. According to The Journal of Pathology:
“Medical devices in the home contain biofilms; These cause infections and serve as reservoirs for pathogens. Urinary catheters are often indwelling for a long time and are prone to both morphology and biofilm formation.
Strategies to reduce biofilm occurrence support an active research area in biomedicine. Manuka honey has (among other things) antibacterial properties.1
The study found that Escherichia coli (E.2 and Proteus mirabilis, bacteria that can escape from the intestines and cause urinary tract infections under certain conditions.3 To observe the effect of honey on biofilm growth. According to Medical News Today:
After 72 hours, the team found that the highest concentration of honey – 16.7% – reduced bacterial adhesion by 77% and all other dyes reduced adhesion by at least 70% at that point.
Regarding biofilm growth, the researchers found that all Manuka honey reduced growth after (four) hours. The highest concentration reduced growth by 38% after (four) hours, increasing to 46% after 24 hours.4
Manuka honey in the real world
One of the protocols included in the study involved extracting manuka honey into different extracts and testing it against different bacteria. At a very weak level, 3.3%, it was still able to slow down the growth of biofilm and prevent the accumulation of bacteria.
Researchers found that in all cases, honey “remarkably inhibited bacterial attachment” – at least it did in laboratory tests.
In real life, they can be biofilms Treatment of infections It makes the original medical problem pale in comparison. About 100 million catheters are sold worldwide each year, so they are a natural source of UTIs and other infections.
Scientists still want to conduct more research before recommending the use of honey on catheters in a real hospital, however, according to a Time article.
“Antibiotic resistance is a major problem worldwide. Bacteria are naturally resistant to the drugs used to treat it, and the widespread use of antibiotics in medicine and agriculture over the years has contributed to the problem.5
They say that doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results is the definition of insanity, but doctors continue to apply and prescribe the same ineffective methods and medications to their patients over and over again for UTIs and other medical conditions. Pain and suffering worse. And honey was always under their noses.
A lack of research does not diminish the effectiveness of Manuka honey.
While the clinical trials on Manuka honey seem impressive, some medical bodies say there is no evidence that it is useful in the medical field because it has not been “proven” in real settings.
With remarkable success in the experiment, the Southampton researchers can only confirm that maru is as valuable as any substance they can investigate. In fact, unlike other compounds that have been observed (incidentally, it is still used), bacteria have not yet become resistant to Manuka honey.
The study concluded, “In reality, no drug or dressing has any support, which is an under-researched or difficult-to-address field.” In the year In late 2011, a similar study in Cardiff, England, was reported to have yielded similar results. According to the Society for Microbiology:
“Manuka honey has a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity and is used in the clinical setting since its acceptance with antibiotic resistance and the inadequacy of established systemic treatments; novel inhibitors may influence clinical practice.”6
When Manuka honey and Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria were mixed together, they found “significant cell death and detachment of cells from the biofilm.” This experiment provided further evidence that this honey can be used for local wounds.7 According to Oxford Journals:
“Since the late 1980s, severe invasive infections with Streptococcus pyogenes (also known as group A streptococci) have been reported worldwide.
The two most severe invasive manifestations are streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) and necrotizing fasciitis, both of which are associated with significant morbidity and mortality.8
The potential of honey to be a simple solution for natural prevention and treatment of disease is something that much of the medical world – as well as anyone practicing natural remedies at home – should pay attention to.
Honey – naturally antiseptic, antibiotic and anti-inflammatory
Edible nectar, also known as honeydew, is accumulated as a result of dehydration in beehives and “has a very complex chemical composition that varies by plant source,” according to one study.
“Honey has been reported to have a protective effect against about 60 species of bacteria, some fungi and viruses.
The antioxidant capacity of honey is important in many disease states and is due to various compounds including phenolics, peptides, organic acids, enzymes and Maillard reaction products.
Honey has also been used in some gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, inflammatory and neoplastic conditions.9
Depending on their origin and availability in the UK, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the US and elsewhere, there are now a wide range of “medical grade” honey-based products available.
However, only manuka honey was used in the Southampton trial, and similar trials since then. This darker-than-normal honey is harvested from bees that feed on the Manuka tree, especially found in New Zealand. Dr Beshir Louwaled, a member of the Southampton team, pointed out that it was the first group to use Manuka honey to help reduce the risk of infection and prevent biofilm growth on catheters.
Still, some scientists and wound care professionals are waiting for better evidence. BBC Health reported the response of wound care expert Dame Nicky Cullum, PhD, who looked at the evidence and said: “People like naturals but they’re not always more effective.” As reported on BBC Health:
“This Southampton venture is only just beginning, so we should not get too excited. But it’s an interesting path to follow… Obviously, we need more studies 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 throat and cough. It creates a protective film on the area, relieves inflammation and irritation, which is full of integrity, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).11 It has also been shown to be beneficial for genital herpes.12 and cancer.
Burns, cuts and bug bites have been successfully treated with raw honey for the past few thousand years. Before the advent of penicillin, it was the go-to medicine for healing wounds, and many benefits have been found in modern medicine.
US News reported on the story of a woman who was bitten by an “exploding” spider on her toe, a condition doctors said could cause amputation and amputation. Instead, she went to a doctor who wanted to treat the wound with a honey-coated bandage. In five weeks the wound is gone. The report added:
“The idea of using honey to treat wounds is not a new one. Anthropologists have found evidence that the ancient Egyptians used this method as early as 5,000 years ago. Aristotle wrote about the use of honey as a healing agent around 350 BC. The practice continues to this day in certain tribal areas in Africa, however, chronic leg ulcers Most of the 2 million Americans who have it are probably unaware of the healing power of honey.13
Today, antibacterial Manuka honey is the only type of honey approved for medical use.14
Raw honey – anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-microbial super-material
While plain, raw, unfiltered honey is not as potent, it does have its benefits. In fact, raw honey is an antiseptic. It promotes the right environment for the growth of healthy bacteria in your digestive tract by fighting off harmful bacteria such as chronic sinusitis.
Pure honey promotes local wound healing for things like ulcers and sunburns, helps fight viruses like herpes, and supports a healthy heart by lowering homocysteine levels and Controlling allergies.
One study described its effectiveness against Pseudomonas aeruginosa inducing infections between the 1960s and early 1980s “among patients with burn wounds, cystic fibrosis, acute leukemia, organ transplants, and intravenous drug addiction.”15
There are some amazing ingredients in honey. Scientists are starting to fix some of them. A study16 He explains that honey’s healing power comes from its antibacterial activity and ability to retain moisture while healing wounds and repairing tissue.
In addition, the antibacterial action (in most honeys) is due to the production of the hydrogen peroxide enzyme. Manuka honey can be called non-peroxidized honey because its antibacterial action remains even when the action of hydrogen peroxide is blocked.
Part of these actions may be that the high sugar content and low pH inhibit the growth of microbes. The study adds that manuka honey “has been reported to have an inhibitory effect on approximately 60 types of bacteria, including aerobes and anaerobes, Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms.”17
Not all (manufactured) honey is created equal.
The same study looks at:
“Medical-grade honeys have potent in vitro antibacterial activity against antibiotic-resistant bacteria that cause many life-threatening infections in humans. However, there is considerable variation in the antimicrobial activity of some natural honeys, due to spatial and temporal differences in nectar sources.18
Be careful when buying honey because not every honey on the shelf is pure, raw and unfiltered with these properties. In fact Highly processed honey Changed until healing compounds were left. Most of this type comes from China and doesn’t even have any pollen. To know how to fold honey, read my article “Honey Wash: Is Your Honey Real or Fake?“
One final note: In a review titled “Comparison of Medical Grade Honey and Table Honey in Antimicrobial Efficacy,” WoundResearch.com concluded, “Patients and practitioners alike need to understand the limitations and benefits of self-medicating with supermarket honey.” Proprietary Wound Care Products.”19
