This review confirms why and how numerous studies have proven that honey has antimicrobial properties. Elsewhere on this blog, you'll find studies recommending daily consumption of honey to avoid chronic diseases...
A large number of in vitro and limited clinical
studies have confirmed the broad-spectrum antimicrobial (antibacterial,
antifungal, antiviral, and antimycobacterial) properties of honey, which may be
attributed to the acidity (low pH), osmotic effect, high sugar concentration,
presence of bacteriostatic and bactericidal factors (hydrogen peroxide,
antioxidants, lysozyme, polyphenols, phenolic acids, flavonoids, methylglyoxal,
and bee peptides), and increase in cytokine release, and to immune modulating
and anti-inflammatory properties of honey; the antimicrobial action involves
several mechanisms.
Despite a large amount of data confirming the antimicrobial activity of honey, there are no studies that support the systemic use of honey as an antibacterial agent.
Antimicrobial
Properties of Honey
Amer Jrnl Therapeutics,
2013 Jun 18
Honey has
been widely accepted as food and medicine by all generations, traditions, and
civilizations, both ancient and modern. For at least 2700 years, honey has been
used by humans to treat a variety of ailments through topical application, but
only recently have the antiseptic and antimicrobial properties of honey been
discovered. Honey has been reported to be effective in a number of human
pathologies. Clinical studies have demonstrated that application of honey to
severely infected cutaneous wounds rapidly clears infection from the wound and
improves tissue healing.
Despite a large amount of data confirming the antimicrobial activity of honey, there are no studies that support the systemic use of honey as an antibacterial agent.
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