UK Hospital Studies Use of Honey to Protect Cancer Patients from Infections

Christie Hits MRSA With Wonder Honey
South Manchester Reporter (UK), 7/6/2006

Now in south Manchester, honey is being used to protect mouth and throat cancer patients from the MRSA superbug and other infections which are resistant to anti-biotics.

In a worldwide first, the Christie Hospital is researching the powers of New Zealand honey to help mouth and throat cancer patients’ recover after surgery.

Some of honey’s healing powers have been known for many years.

For example, it can help scars and wounds, or be put on dressings. Nurses at Manchester Royal Infirmary have been using special honey coated dressings for the last two months.

But the Christie work is unique.

Survival rates for people suffering from throat and mouth cancer have improved over the last 15 years, thanks to doctors more effectively combining surgery with chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments.
An unfortunate side-effect, however is a condition called mucositis, which is an inflammation and infection of the lining tissue inside patients’ mouths and throats.

The ongoing study is looking at whether manuka honey from New Zealand can reduce this inflammation and prevent infection…