Royal Jelly May Help Treat Graves’ Disease

The Effects of Royal Jelly on Autoimmunity in Graves' Disease
Endocrine, 2006 Oct;30(2):175-84

Objective. Graves' disease is an organ-specific autoimmune disease with unknown etiology. TSHR Ab plays the most important role for the pathogenesis of Graves' disease. Recently, the role of cytokines for the pathogenesis of Graves' disease has been studied extensively. Royal jelly (RJ) is a creamy product secreted by young nurse worker bees (Apis mellifera), and it is synthesized in the hypopharyngeal and mandibular glands. RJ has been reported to have such pharmacological characteristics as antitumor, antibacterial, antihypercholesterolemic, antiallergic, antiinflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties. The major aim of the present study is to evaluate the effect of RJ on autoimmunity in peripheral lymphocyte culture and to establish the therapeutic doses…

Results…RJ treatment in lymphocytes from patients with Graves' disease shifted the Th1/Th2 cytokine ratio to the side of Th1 cytokine. Therefore, RJ using the treatment and establishing a remission of Graves' disease may be effective as an antithyroid drug treatment. TSHR Ab levels of lymphocyte cell culture supernatants treated with RJ showed significant decreases. Also, the result may suggest that RJ may exert an effect similar to an antithyroid drug for decreasing TSHR Ab levels.

Conclusions. RJ may be effective as an immunomodulatory agent in Graves' disease.

UK Hospital Uses Honey to Treat Heart Surgery Wounds

How a Spoonful of Honey Can Make Toast of the Superbugs
By Julie Wheldon, Daily Mail (UK), 2/27/2007

Doctors are using honey from a particular colony of bees in Australia to clean wounds infected after heart surgery

It has long been used to dress wounds by the Aborigines, who trusted its anti-bacterial powers.

And after watching them at work, doctors have combined sterile honey from Australian bees with seaweed to clean wounds infected after heart surgery.

Medihoney is already being used on patients at the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough.

It is combined with a gum extracted from the seaweed, which helps draw out and absorb harmful bacteria. The ingredients are then placed on dressings which are applied to the wound.

If successful, the treatment could eventually be used in hospitals to help fight bugs such as MRSA that claim around 5,000 lives and cost the Health Service £1 billion a year.

Previously, honey has been combined with anti-bacterial compounds and used on patients with catheter infections in a kidney unit at a hospital in Brisbane.

Doctors found that as well as fighting bacteria the mixture was not met with the resistance commonly seen when conventional anti-bacterial medicines are used. All honey contains hydrogen peroxide from an enzyme that bees add to nectar. The chemical is known to kill bacteria…

Popularity of Medicinal Honey Growing in Europe

Match-Maker Austrade
By Alex Tilbury, The Courier Mail (Australia), 2/26/2007

Western Europe has been the springboard for the success of Brisbane-based Medihoney, with the Germans embracing its unique anti-bacterial wound care products.

Medihoney is a 100 per cent subsidiary of Capilano Honey, which has so far invested $5.5 million into the development of its wound care honey, which stems from several floral varieties of Australian shrubs.

Anthony Moloney, director of science and strategic development at Medihoney, says the company has just negotiated a world-first independent study at Bonn University to confirm the effects of its non-steroid treatment for childhood eczema.

Medihoney has pioneered this market with its unique products which clean the wound and cause less trauma on dressing changes.

''Our honeys are very effective against drug-resistant bacterias, which is very significant.''

Medihoney launched into Germany and Austria last November, into Finland at the start of 2006 and into the UK in 2005.

''The response has been enormous and in wound care you've got to do a lot of work in building up your markets,'' Mr Moloney said.

''We are starting from a very small base but there is no doubt there has been a paradigm shift in wound care that is occurring around the world in terms of the acceptance of anti-bacterial honeys and we've led that change.

''We consider ourselves the world leader in the research and development of anti-bacterial honeys.''

Honey, Beeswax Recommended for Chapped Lips

Natural Solutions for Chapped Lips
Care Fair (Switzerland), 2/22/2007

Honey is an excellent choice as a treatment for a bad case of chapped and cracked lips because it is moisturizing and healing. Honey is safe to use on small cuts, and it is antibacterial so it will also keep lips from getting infected. Use honey on lips before going to bed at night, or apply throughout the day. A half hour treatment should help smooth and heal chapped lips, and it can be done several times a day for severe cases.

For natural product choices out on the market, aim for a blend of olive oil and beeswax for a smooth consistency and thick coverage, especially helpful in the blistering cold.

US Approval of Honey Wound Dressings ‘Imminent’

Comvita 'Laying Base For Growth'
Andrew Janes, The Dominion Post (New Zealand), 2/24/2007

BEE products company Comvita says it is laying the foundations for growth, after posting an after-tax profit of $1.5 million for the year, down slightly despite a strong rise in revenue.

The Te Puke-based company, which produces mainly bee-related health products such as propolis throat spray, bee pollen capsules and royal jelly soap, said it was still on track to meet its goal of $100 million annual sales by 2010…

During the year Comvita bought natural health company NZ Vitalife, lifted its stake in United States licensing partner Derma Sciences and raised $11.5 million in November to fund the acquisitions and build up raw material supplies.

Comvita is looking at more acquisitions in 2007, chief executive Brett Hewlett said…

Approval by the US Federal Drug Administration of Comvita's wound care products, which incorporate honey in wound dressings, was imminent, Mr Hewlett said. FDA approval would also give the products credibility in markets other than the US…

Study: Honey is a Good Source of Antioxidants

Darker varieties, made from 'honeydew' left on plants, may be especially healthy, study finds
By Randy Dotinga, HealthDay, 2/22/2007

[Honeydew photo from Airborne Honey Ltd of New Zealand]

THURSDAY, Feb. 22 (HealthDay News) -- What's the health buzz on honey?

If you're looking for the best choice, consider darker-colored "honeydew" varieties from bees who collect the sugary secretions that insects leave on plants, otherwise known as honeydew.

According to a new study of Spanish varieties, honeydew honey has even higher levels of disease-fighting antioxidants than the honey that bees make from nectar.

But all honey, regardless of its origins, is good for you, the experts said.

"Besides its value as a great sweetening agent, honey has proved that it also has effective antioxidant and antibacterial activities," said study co-author Rosa Ana Perez, a researcher with the Instituto Madrileno de Investigacion y Desarrollo Rural, Agrario y Alimentario in Madrid.

In recent years, honey has gained a reputation as a health food, especially in light of research suggesting that it has germ-fighting powers and is high in antioxidants, chemicals that appear to block certain types of cell damage caused by molecules called free radicals.

"There is increasing evidence that free radicals contribute to the development of diseases, such as neurodegenerative disease, chronic inflammatory disease, cancer, cardiovascular disease and aging," Perez said…

In 2004, U.S. researchers found that antioxidant levels rose in people who ate between four and 10 tablespoons of honey per day, depending on their weight. It wasn't clear at the time, however, which varieties of honey might harbor the most antioxidants.

In the new study, researchers looked at 36 varieties of Spanish honey in two groups -- clover honey, made by bees from the nectar of flower blossoms, and honeydew honey, made by bees from a sweet, sticky substance secreted by insects such as aphids that live off plants.

Honeydew honey is only produced in a few parts of the world and is considered a delicacy in certain regions.

The researchers performed tests on the honeys and reported their findings in the February issue of the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture.

According to the results, honeydew honeys had higher levels of antioxidants in general. The researchers also report that Spanish honeydew honeys tend to be darker and more acidic than clover varieties…

Honey Recommended as Treatment for Dry Skin

Give Your Skin a Taste of Honey
By Susie Forrester, Pensacola News Journal (USA), 2/22/2007

When it gets cold outside, what also happens? Dry, flaky, itchy skin. What to do?...

Moisturize: After bathing, pat your skin dry and apply honey. Honey is a natural, chemical-free way to moisturize. It's a humectant, which means it aids the skin in retaining moisture. Honey is been used by some of the world's most famous beauties including Jennifer Lopez and Halle Berry. How to: Apply a tablespoon or two of honey to damp skin in the shower, work up a lather using a wash cloth or your fingertips and rinse.

More facts about honey: Its antiseptic or antimicrobial properties help kill bacteria and fight acne. It can penetrate deep into the underlying layers of the skin's epidermis allowing for better absorption of creams and moisturizers…

Propolis Component Exhibits Antifungal Activity

Antifungal Chemical Compounds Identified Using a C. elegans Pathogenicity Assay
PLoS Pathogens, 2007 Feb 2;3(2):e18

There is an urgent need for the development of new antifungal agents. A facile in vivo model that evaluates libraries of chemical compounds could solve some of the main obstacles in current antifungal discovery.

We show that Candida albicans, as well as other Candida species, are ingested by Caenorhabditis elegans and establish a persistent lethal infection in the C. elegans intestinal track. Importantly, key components of Candida pathogenesis in mammals, such as filament formation, are also involved in nematode killing. We devised a Candida-mediated C. elegans assay that allows high-throughput in vivo screening of chemical libraries for antifungal activities, while synchronously screening against toxic compounds.

A screen of 1,266 compounds with known pharmaceutical activities identified 15 (approximately 1.2%) that prolonged survival of C. albicans-infected nematodes and inhibited in vivo filamentation of C. albicans.

Two compounds identified in the screen, caffeic acid phenethyl ester, a major active component of honeybee propolis, and the fluoroquinolone agent enoxacin exhibited antifungal activity in a murine model of candidiasis…

Raw Local Honey Recommended for Allergies

Homegrown Health Solutions
By Marcia Carroll-Burzair, Dallas Morning News (USA), 2/16/2007

A Sweet Treatment

If you are an allergy sufferer looking for a holistic remedy, locally produced honey may be worth a shot. Although there's no scientific proof it works, Rockwall resident Teresa Udovich swears by it.

"We have moved several times, and each time we move we experience allergies to different things," she said. "Consuming raw honey made locally helps build up immunity to that particular area's pollen, dust and mold. The Rockwall County Extension put me in touch with local beekeeper Janet Rowe. Although our allergies are not completely gone, I have noticed an absolute reduction in the symptoms."

Mrs. Rowe, a third-generation beekeeper otherwise known as the Bee Charmer, says she's heard it all before. She has been involved in beekeeping for over 50 years, is a member of the Texas Beekeeping Association and the Collin County Hobby Beekeepers Association, and is also a Rockwall County Master Gardener. Mrs. Rowe hand-processes honey at her residence in Lavon and sells it locally. She also thinks it can help with allergies.

"I liken it to the same thing as the flu shot or any kind of immunization that you give your child – you give them a little bit of the disease so their body can make up antibodies to protect them," she said. "So if you're ingesting pollens from plants that grow here, your body is getting a little bit of that every day all year long. ... Then, when you go out the door in July, your body's already had a bunch of that pollen, so you are not going to get the same reaction you would have had if you hadn't already been building up immunities to it."

Hand-processed honey contains all of the pollens, propolis and small pieces of wax that commercially produced honey has heated and filtered out. Pollen is rich in protein, minerals and vitamins, while propolis (a material that honeybees collect from leaf buds and trees) contains resins, vitamins, amino acids, minerals and bioflavonoids. Honey and its components are used worldwide as an elixir for the body and a balm for wounds.

"Honey's been used since the beginning of time for health purposes," Mrs. Rowe said. "They use honey in other countries to heal wounds in hospitals. If you were in New Zealand, you could buy a Band-Aid impregnated with honey so that when you put the Band-Aid on, you would have honey on the sore. ... And propolis is used in Japan for healing purposes as well."

And while Mrs. Rowe cannot call her honey "organic" because there's no way to know what her bees are exposed to as they are flying around, it's about as natural as you're going to get.

Honey Used to Treat Side Effect of Chemotherapy

Prevention of Chemotherapy-Induced Neutropenia by Special Honey Intake
Medical Oncology, 2006;23(4):549-52.

Febrile neutropenia is a serious side effect of chemotherapy. Colony-stimulating factors (CSFs) are used for primary and secondary treatment in patients with grade 4 neutropenia. The use of CSFs is expensive and accompanied by side effects. In the current study, Life-Mel Honey (LMH) was administered to prevent neutropenia and to reduce the need for CSFs in patients treated with chemotherapy…

There was no recurrence of neutropenia after LMH intake and no need for treatment with CSFs in 12 (40%) of patients. Eighteen (60%) patients with LMH developed neutropenia grade 4 and were treated with CSFs (p = 0.007)…

The use of LMH in patients who are at high risk of developing neutropenia as a result of chemotherapy decreases the risk of pancytopenia and the need for CSFs. LMH is inexpensive, has no side effects, and is easy to administer.

Germany Apitherapy Conference Calls for Abstracts

The programme committee of the 5th German Apitherapy Congress with International Participation invites submissions of abstracts to be presented during the congress. Abstracts submissions are welcome on a broad range of topics that cover the latest scientific research in apitherapy and its complementary healing methods.

Deadline for submission of abstracts: 28th February 2007

Speakers will be notified via email of their abstract status after 5 March 2007.

Abstracts that have been accepted by the Congress Scientific Committee will be presented as oral or poster sessions, according to the final decision made by the programme committee.

Details on the Congress, Expo and Workshop preliminary programs may be found in www.Apitherapie.de

Dr. Stefan Stangaciu
President, German Apitherapy Society

Bee Venom Therapy Photo Essay

APITHERAPY
By Karl Rabe, Poughkeepsie Journal (USA), 2/14/2007

Claudia Naccarato rubs ice on the spot she just stung her self with a bee Tuesday, February 13, 2007, in her kitchen in the Town of Saugerties. Naccarato utilizes apitherapy, the use of bee venom and bee byproducts such as pollen and honey, to treat Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and arthritis. She has been doing this about 3 times-a-week for about 15 years but less so in the past 5 years. During one particular session she had her self stung 42 times. She keeps one hive in her backyard and in the winter she keeps a number of bees at hand in a box, left, with a mesh screen.

Honey-Propolis-Myrrh Paste Helps Heal Diabetic Foot Wound

Combined Use of Honey, Bee Propolis and Myrrh in Healing a Deep, Infected Wound in a Patient With Diabetes Mellitus
By Lotfy, M; Badra, G; Burham, W; Alenzi, F Q, Red Orbit, 1/10/2007

[Editor’s Note: This article was published in the British Journal of Biomedical Science. ]

Diabetes mellitus is a group of diseases characterised by high levels of blood glucose resulting from defects in insulin production, insulin action, or both. Diabetes can be associated with serious complications including diabetic foot disease. Diabetic foot disease is estimated to affect 15% of people with diabetes…

Wound care includes a variety of approaches to enhance healing, with treatment of infection, vascular reconstruction, achieving adequate glycaemic control, removal of pressure, and ongoing wound debridement being important aspects of this care.

A deep wound with tissue loss in the right foot of a 65-year-old male patient with diabetes mellitus was treated by a standard protocol that included strict control of blood sugar level. In addition, an antibiotic regimen was included to combat anaerobic and aerobic infection. Also, a paste consisting of myrrh, bee propolis and honey (MPH) was applied to the wound. Following treatment, the wound settled and healed well…

The most significant results were obtained during the use of the MPH paste (800 mg bee propolis, 50 g myrrh, mixed together in honey). The paste was prepared every three days and stored in a refrigerator. Wound cleaning was performed daily using standard methods in addition to the MPH paste to fill the wound cavity. The effectiveness of the paste in keeping the wound clean was indicated by a complete absence of pus and cellular exudate. After four weeks the wound had healed well and the patient returned to work...

In the present case study, application of MPH resulted in a clean and odour-free wound, which healed well. However, the results of this single case need to be confirmed in a study of a larger number of patients. In the meantime, use of the MPH paste would appear to reduce the cost of deep wound treatment and improve the outcome in the patients affected.

German Apitherapy Conference to Focus on Wound Treatment

(February 15, 2007) – The 5th annual German Apitherapy and Apipuncture Congress, Expo and Workshop will take place March 23-27 in Passau, Germany. This year’s conference focuses on the use of honey and other bee products in the treatment of wounds.

The five-day event features workshops on topics such as “Wounds - Introduction in the Etiology (Causes), Diagnostic, Allopathic Treatment and Prevention,” “Prophilaxy Through Apitherapy and Other Related Healing Methods,” “Wound Healing Methods Through Apitherapy and Apipuncture,” and “Apitherapy and Its Related Methods in the Treatment of Human and Animal Diseases.”

There will also be practical demonstrations of the use of bee products in the treatment of wounds. The official languages of the conference are German and English.

Conference participants will have the option of registering for a two-day “Practical Intensive Apitherapy and Apipuncture Course and Workshop.” The theme of this year’s intensive course is “Practical Applications of Apitherapy in the Prevention and Treatment of Human and Animal Diseases.”

Api-Expo 2007, held in conjunction with the conference, features Apitherapy-related companies from Europe and around the world.

Apitherapy is the use of bee hive products such as bee venom, bee-collected pollen, royal jelly, propolis, beeswax, and honey to maintain good health and in the treatment of a variety of medical conditions. Propolis is a resinous substance collected by bees from plants and trees and is used to coat the inside of the bee hive and the honeycomb cells with an antiseptic layer. Royal jelly is a substance produced by young worker bees and fed to queens.

March 30, 2007, will mark the 2nd annual celebration of “World Apitherapy Day," an event designed to enhance international understanding of the therapeutic use and health benefits of bee products.

CONTACT: Dr. Stefan Stangaciu, E-Mail: DrStangaciu@apitherapie.de or drstangaciu@gmail.com ( www.Apitherapie.de )

‘Early Bird’ Registration for German Apitherapy Conference Ends Soon

Discounted "early bird" registration for the upcoming 5th Annual German Apitherapy and Apipuncture Congress, Expo and Workshop in Passau, Germany, will end February 15.

Abstracts for proposed presentations may be sent to: drstangaciu@apitherapie.de or drstangaciu@gmail.com

Bulgarian Propolis More Active Against Leishmaniasis

Activity of Brazilian and Bulgarian Propolis Against Different Species of Leishmania
Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, 2007 Feb;102(1):73-77

Extracts of propolis samples collected in Brazil and Bulgaria were assayed against four Leishmania species - Leishmania amazonensis, L. braziliensis, L. chagasi from the New World, and L. major from the Old World - associated to different clinical forms of leishmaniasis…

An overall analysis showed that for all the species evaluated, Bulgarian extracts were more active than the ethanol Brazilian extract. As the assayed propolis extracts have their chemical composition determined it merits further investigation the effect of individual components or their combinations on each Leishmania species.

Organic Australian Beeswax Candles ‘Maintain Inner-Balance and Harmony’

Kidman to Romance Hubby with Candles on Valentine's Day!
ANI, 2/8/2007

London, Feb 8 (ANI): Nicole Kidman has had Australian beeswax candles shipped to her Tennessee home for Valentine's Day.

The 'Cold Mountain' star will romance her country singer husband Keith Urban with the organic Northern Lights candles, designed to maintain inner-balance and harmony.

Nicole has bought a dozen of the $20 candles which are made from organic Australian beeswax and cosmetic grade macadamia nut oil with chemical-free cotton wicks…

Propolis Main Ingredient in New French Flu-Fighter

The Most Natural Antibiotic Ever
Malta Independent, 2/11/2007

Wouldn’t it be nice to say goodbye to that runny nose, uncomfortable cough and all the other relevant unpleasant symptoms? Wouldn’t it be wonderful to keep yourself and your family in good health even when everybody else is down with the flu or common cold? You can drastically influence the impact of these viruses on your health and well being. Stop this misery by resorting to a food supplement that is not only a natural antibiotic, but also has natural antiviral properties.

Propolis is the most natural antibiotic man has ever discovered. The remarkable thing is the fact that it was discovered some 2000 years ago. A lot of people probably haven't even heard about Propolis, yet ancient herbal books prescribed Propolis for numerous complaints. The anti-bacterial qualities of this medicine have been known since the beginning of written history.

The use of Propolis in popular medicine goes back to ancient times. Egyptians, Greeks and Romans reported the use of Propolis for its general healing qualities, but especially for the cure of skin abscesses and the treatment of mouth and throat infections, as well as caries. However, it was only in the last 20 years that scientists have been able to prove that Propolis is as effective and important as our ancestors thought…

A new leading product on the market is the Altacura range by ALTA CARE Laboratoires Paris. These cold and flu fighters are 100 per cent natural with the main active ingredient being actually Propolis…

Propolis Effective in Treating Canker Sores

The Effect of Bee Propolis on Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis: A Pilot Study
Clinical Oral Investigations, 2007 Feb 7

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is a common, painful, and ulcerative disorder of the oral cavity of unknown etiology. No cure exists and medications aim to reduce pain associated with ulcers through topical applications or reduce outbreak frequency with systemic medications, many having serious side effects.

The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the potential of a product to reduce the number of outbreaks of RAS ulcers. Propolis is a bee product used in some cultures as treatment for mouth ulcers.

In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, patients were assigned to take 500 mg of propolis or a placebo capsule daily…

The data indicated a statistically significant reduction of outbreaks in the propolis group (Fisher's exact test, one sided, p = 0.04). Patients in the propolis group also self-reported a significant improvement in their quality of life (p = 0.03).

This study has shown propolis to be effective in decreasing the number of recurrences and improve the quality of life in patients who suffer from RAS. Propolis should be evaluated further in a larger sample clinical trial.

Honey, Propolis Lollipops Used for Sore Throats in UK

Fun Medicine for Children with Colds and Sore Throats
PRWeb, 2/9/2007

London, UK (PRWEB) February 9, 2007 -- What's difficult for parents of sick children? - getting them to take their medicine. What's the answer? Making medicine fun to take.

It is difficult for a parent or caregiver looking after a child with a cold or sore throat anyway, without having to resort to tricks and bribes to get them to take any medicine that will actually help them.

But offer a child a lollipop, and they are going to say yes, happily.

Children's Lemon and Honey Lollipops are now available in the UK. Made by New Zealand based natural health products company Comvita, they combine the soothing action of UMF 10+ active manuka honey, and the power of propolis, both of which are great for helping with sore throats and colds.

Active manuka honey is unique from New Zealand and contains natural antibiotic properties. Propolis is used by bees to sterilise and protect their hive from infection, and used by humans to help fight colds and sore throats.

Parents don't need to go searching for these lemon and honey lollipops, as they are available for delivery from the World Of NZ online store, http://www.worldofnz.co.uk

Honey Used to Prevent MRSA Infections Following Cancer Surgery

Honey Used by Doctors to Treat Cancer Patients
By Mary Carter, Top Cancer News, 2/8/2007

Manchester doctors at the Christie Hospital in Didsbury are importing manuka honey from New Zealand to treat mouth and throat cancer patients after surgery in the hope honey can reduce inflammation and prevent methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA. Most people have this common type of bacterium in their nose and on their skin, but if healthy, the bacterium won't cause problems.

For hospitalized patients, there is a risk MRSA will spread through cuts, wounds, surgical incisions or catheters. The main problem with MRSA is that it has become resistant to some, but not all, antibiotics.

For the last several months, Manchester Royal Infirmary doctors have been using special honey-coated dressings to treat wounds. Now -- privately funded by community members and cancer patients themselves -- cancer patients at Christie Hospital in Didsbury will participate in this new study to test the effectiveness of the imported honey in preventing infection…

Study: Honey a ‘Potent Scolicidal Agent’

The Scolicidal Effects of Honey
Advances in Therapy, 2006 Nov-Dec;23(6):1077-83

Echinococcosis is a zoonosis that is caused by adult or larval tapeworms belonging to the genus Echinococcus. Until now, no studies have sought to determine the scolicidal effects of honey. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to explore the scolicidal effects of honey in different concentrations for various exposure times…

Honey concentrations of 10% or greater killed all protoscolices. The scolicidal effects of honey began at the end of the third minute. Honey did not cause adverse effects when applied intraperitoneally. In this study, an investigation of the scolicidal effects of honey showed that it is highly effective at a 10% concentration. On the basis of in vivo study results, the investigators concluded that honey is a potent scolicidal agent.

Apitherapists, Researchers Asked to Join Malaysian Honey Science Network

Welcome to Honey Science Network

…The medicinal uses of honey have been documented in many civilizations, religions and system of medicine. Honey is popular as a folk medicine when used in its pure from or in combination with herbs and other ingredients. In recent years, honey has been investigated for use in scientific medicine. Some of the most successful uses include control of wound infection, prevention of post surgical wound infections, and in the treatment of burns , diabetic foot, radiation mucositis, sore throat, to name a few. Ophthalmologists, ortorhinolaryngologists, oro dental physicians and dermatologists are exploring its further use in other disease conditions…

This site would be a common platform where surgeons, physicians, oncologists, gynecologists, dermatologists, microbiologists, dentists, pathologists and complimentary medicine practitioners can share their views on the therapeutic uses of honey.

Again, we would like to invite you all to join our team for the development of honey science.

Professor Dr Nor Hayati Othman

Case Study of Allergic Response to Honey

Anaphylaxis to Honey in Pollinosis to Mugwort: A Case Report
Allergie et Immunologie (Paris), 2006 Dec;38(10):364-5.

A case of anaphylaxis to honey in a 19 year old female sensitized to Compositae pollen is described. The patient suffered from summer rhinoconjunctivitis since seven years; in January 2006, ten minutes after eating bread and honey she developed angioedema of the lips and tongue, runny nose, cough, dyspnoea, and collapse, requiring hospitalization and treatment with high dose corticosteroids and anti-histamines. After two weeks, skin prick tests (SPT) with a standard panel of inhalant allergens and prick + prick with a number of kinds of honey were performed…

The allergenic component responsible of anaphylaxis in this case seems to be a molecule occurring in Compositae pollens, as previously reported for other three reports, but also in pollen from plants of different families.

Honey contains a large number of components derived from bees, such as gland secretions and wax, as well as from substances related to their foraging activity, such flower nectar and pollens (1, 2).

Honey as a food has been associated to allergic reactions and particularly to anaphylaxis (3-6). Among the pollens, the role of Compositae is somewhat controversial, since its responsibility is clear in some studies (3, 5, 6) but considered negligible in others (7).

Here we present the case of a patient sensitized to Compositae pollen who had an anaphylactic reaction to the ingestion of honey obtained from bees foraging on Compositae flowers and was tested with a number of different varieties of honey.

Importer Brings Medicinal Manuka Honey to America

Rare New Zealand Honey Leads to Sweet Importing Business
Gretchen Metz, The Mercury (USA), 2/5/2007

WILLISTOWN -- The buzz about manuka honey has to do with its health benefits, not its flavorful properties in a glazed carrots recipe.

The antibacterial-rich honey is produced by bees during the few weeks a year New Zealand‘s manuka bushes are in bloom and is touted as a treatment for everything from skin conditions to digestive disorders.

Known in parts of Europe, New Zealand and Australia, the product is virtually unknown in the United States, but Fiona Nelson wants to change all that.

In October, Nelson opened Wedderspoon Organic, an importing company that is bringing the honey to the U.S.

"People know about it in England and are surprised they can‘t get it here," Nelson said.

Thus far, the native of Britain has her 100-percent organic honey pots on the shelves of Kimberton Whole Foods and Arrowroot, and is working her way into health food stores across the country thanks to trade show appearances and a targeted online marketing campaign.

The product is also available on Nelson’s Web site, www.wedderspoon.com...

Video: Sweet Health Benefits of Honey

Study Says Dark Honeys Contain Anti-Oxidants
Brandi Hitt, CBS13 (USA), 2/2/2007

Allergies? Cavities? Dry skin? There's a sweet solution many are turning to solve these problems: Honey.

Honey's reputation as a folk remedy is over! Nancy Stewart of Sacramento Beekeeping Supplies says scientific research now proves that honey is nature's medicine.

"They did a research project at UC Davis and found that the dark honeys contain anti-oxidants which are something that are in vegetables," said Stewart…

View the Video

American Apitherapist Treats MS Patient in India

Now, a ‘Sting Operation’ on Multiple Sclerosis Patient
US-based Reyah Carlson, an expert in apitherapy, is treating Vadodara resident using bee venom
Express News Service, 2/2/2007

Vadodara, February 2: VADODARA-based Deepti Waghela is more than happy to be stung by honeybees. The reason: this 40-year-old woman, who is suffering from multiple sclerosis, is undergoing apitherapy, an ancient cure, which involves treating disorders with the help of bee venom. Helping her out is 49-year-old Reyah Carlson, an apitherapy expert from the US, who has come all the way to Vadodara to treat Deepti free of cost after the Waghelas contacted her though the internet.

Carlson, who herself was a multiple sclerosis patient, says she has used the therapy on herself, and has had positive results. She now runs an apitherapy clinic in Missouri, US, and claims she has helped around 2,000 other multiple sclerosis patients through the bee-bite treatment…

Simpler Method for Monitoring Antioxidant Power of Bee Products

Evaluation of the Antioxidant Power of Honey, Propolis and Royal Jelly by Amperometric Flow Injection Analysis
Talanta, Volume 71, Issue 3 , 28 February 2007, Pages 1387-1392

Abstract: In this paper is described the applicability of a flow injection system, operating with an amperometric detector, for measurement in rapid and simple way the antioxidant power of honey, propolis and royal jelly. The proposed method evaluates the reducing power of selected antioxidant compounds and does not require the use of free radicals or oxidants. Twelve honey, 12 propolis and 4 royal jelly samples of different botanical and geographical origin were evaluated by the electrochemical method and the data were compared with those obtained by the DPPH assay. Since a good correlation was found (R2 = 0.92) the proposed electrochemical method can be successfully employed for the direct, rapid and simple monitoring of the antioxidant power of honeybee products. Furthermore, the total phenolic content of samples was determined by the Folin–Ciocalteau procedure and the characteristic antioxidant activities showed a good correlation with phenolics (R2 = 0.96 for propolis and 0.90 for honey).

Propolis Has Anti-Inflammatory Effect

Antiinflammatory Effect of Topically Applied Propolis Extract in Carrageenan-Induced Rat Hind Paw Edema
Phytotherapy Research, 2007 Jan 30

The antiinflammatory effect of an ointment containing propolis extract (3%-7%) was examined using carrageenan-induced hind paw edema in rats. Treatment with the ointment inhibited the edema moderately, and the inhibition was significant at 5% and 7%. Additionally, the effect of the ointment on chemotaxis of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) was investigated using the agarose plate method. Migration of PMNs toward zymosan-treated serum was inhibited in the presence of 5% propolis ointment. These results demonstrate that topical application of propolis extract is effective in inhibiting carrageenan-induced rat hind paw edema, and its inhibitory effect on the chemotaxis of PMNs may also contribute to the antiinflammatory effect.