Bacteria Unlikely to Develop Resistance to Honey

Study Reports that Honey Holds Potential for Healing
Wisconsin Medical Society, 7/11/2008

Madison - There’s one more reason to like honey, besides the taste. Researchers at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health call the gooey substance “a low-cost topical therapy with important potential for healing.” Their scientific article is published in the latest issue of the Wisconsin Medical Journal (Volume 107, No. 4), which is available here.

The article discusses the use of honey to treat foot ulcers in patients with diabetes, which has become increasingly popular because of “a growing awareness of the cost and burden of diabetic foot ulcers and the need for cost-effective therapies.”

The authors, who are conducting a trial regarding the use of honey for human patients, report there is evidence that honey promotes healing in animals. What may be especially surprising is that it appears to be therapeutic in a variety of ways: its acidity aids in improving circulation; it produces a small amount of hydrogen peroxide that kills bacteria without damaging tissue; and it contains flavanoides and acids that contribute to bacterial-fighting properties.

“Since honey’s antibacterial activity is multi-factorial, bacteria are unlikely to develop resistance to it,” the authors explain. They go on to say that when patients agree to try it as a therapy, antibiotics are often discontinued…