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.