Substance May Contribute to Pain-Relieving, Wound-Healing Effect of Honey

Kynurenic Acid in Honey from Arboreal Plants: MS and NMR Evidence
Planta Medica, 2007 Nov 12

KYNA, a Trp metabolite, shows neuroprotective activity against excitotoxic amino acids by antagonizing the NMDA receptor (glycine, glutamate). Here we report the identification of KYNA by a combination of ESI-MS/MS and 1D- and 2D-NMR analyses in honey varieties of arboreal origin.

KYNA are absent in single-flower honeys from herbal flowers. These different distribution patterns might possibly involve an indirect plant defence mechanism against fungal pathogens and herbivorous parasites, ever-present on wild trees.

The presence of KYNA in honey may explain its pain-relieving effects reported in the literature. The substance, acting in concert with honey flavonoids (COX-2 inhibitors), by antagonizing the NMDA receptor may contribute to the antinociceptive effect of honey.

Moreover, kynureninates, owing to their antimicrobial properties, can favour the successful outcome of wounds and burns.

Honey Maintained Blood Glucose Levels Following Exercise Better than Sucrose

Effects of Ingesting Protein with Various Forms of Carbohydrate Following Resistance-Exercise on Substrate Availability and Markers of Anabolism, Catabolism, and Immunity
Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 12 November 2007

Background: Ingestion of carbohydrate (CHO) and protein (PRO) following intense exercise has been reported to increase insulin levels, optimize glycogen resynthesis, enhance PRO synthesis, and lessen the immuno-suppressive effects of intense exercise. Since different forms of CHO have varying glycemic effects, the purpose of this study was to determine whether the type of CHO ingested with PRO following resistance-exercise affects blood glucose availability and insulin levels, markers of anabolism and catabolism, and/or general immune markers…

Methods: 40 resistance-trained subjects performed a standardized resistance training workout and then ingested in a double blind and randomized manner 40 g of whey PRO with 120 g of sucrose (S), honey powder (H), or maltodextrin (M). A non-supplemented control group (C) was also evaluated…

Conclusion: CHO and PRO ingestion following exercise significantly influences glucose and insulin concentrations. Although some trends were observed suggesting that H maintained blood glucose levels to a better degree, no significant differences were observed among types of CHO ingested on insulin levels. These findings suggest that each of these forms of CHO can serve as effective sources of CHO to ingest with PRO in and attempt to promote post-exercise anabolic responses.

Study: Some Royal Jelly Products Contain Little 10-HDA

Comparison of UPLC and HPLC for Determination of Trans -10-Hydroxy-2-Decenoic Acid Content in Royal Jelly by Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction with Internal Standard
Journal Chromatographia, Volume 66, Numbers 3-4, 2007

Abstract: The ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was developed and compared to detect the trans-10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid (10-HDA) content in royal jelly cream and lyophilized powder…

The concentration of 10-HDA ranges from 1.26 to 2.25% for pure royal jelly cream samples and 3.01–6.26% for royal jelly lyophilized powder samples. For 30 royal jelly products, the 10-HDA content varied from no detectable to 1.005%.

Malaysian Spa Uses Beeswax ‘Ear Candles’ to Treat Migraines

Johor Buzz: Pamper Your Face
By Kamachy Habimanan, New Straits Times (Malaysia), 11/28/07

Pusat Kecantikan Mutiara Manja, located on the first floor of Pekan Rabu, is one place where you can be sure of a good facial without digging deep into your pocket…

The centre is also popular for its ear-candling treatment.

"Ear-candling, or coning, is a method of cleaning the ears. A hollow candle is stuck into the ear and lit, sucking out earwax. It traps dust and dirt, helps fight infections and reduce migraines...

(Editor's note: Ear candles are normally cones made of cloth and beeswax.)

Austrian ‘Bee Air’ Spa Treats Respiratory Problems

An Austrian spa offers treatment with “bee air” as a cure for respiratory problems. Spa owners say the treatment usually takes 10 to 14 days and is only offered from May to August.

Translate from German to English.

Several studies have demonstrated the benefits of hive products in treating asthma and respiratory tract infections.

Case Report: Bee Venom Therapy Helps Relieve Pain

Bee Stings—A Remedy for Postherpetic Neuralgia?
Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, Volume 32, Issue 6, Pages 533-535 (November 2007)

Objective: This case report describes the effects of bee stings on painful postherpetic neuralgia in a 51-year-old man.

Case Report: The patient was stung by 3 bees in the distribution in which he had been experiencing postherpetic neuralgia. One day after the bee stings, the patient’s painful postherpetic neuralgia was completely relieved, and the relief lasted for 1 and a half months. Subsequently, the patient’s pain returned, but at significantly less intensity and frequency than what he had experienced prior to the bee stings.

Conclusions: Bee venom and bee sting therapy have been shown to have both antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties, which may explain why the bee stings relieved the patient’s postherpetic neuralgia. Bee sting or bee venom therapy should be further investigated as a potential treatment modality for postherpetic neuralgia.

Video Demonstration of Bee Venom Therapy

View the Video

Bee Bread Used to Treat Child with Rare Genetic Disorder

The Benefits of Beebread for T.J.
An apitherapy case history of a child born with a rare chromosomal abnormality
By Priscilla Coe, Journal of the American Apitherapy Society, Vol. 14, No. 3, September 2007

Donald Downs, a long-time apitherapist in Wellington, Ohio, and member of the AAS board, has, at several AAS conferences, presented a brief case history on his work with T.J.

Born with a virtually unknown genetic abnormality, T.J. was given a brief life expectancy. Beebread was introduced into formula via his feeding tube at age two by his maternal grandmother, Angie Gebhart Bittner. A distinct turning point for the better was noted almost immediately in his overall health.

Since then, his only sustenance has been formula with the addition of beebread or honey, and his vitality and capabilities have steadily improved. Today, as T.J. approaches his sixth birthday, his grandmother notes the unimaginable strides her grandson has made, especially considering that no hope was given at birth, and she credits the hive products 100 percent. The following is a transcript of an interview with Angie in July 2007. Supplementing the interview are an excerpt from the child’s medical diagnosis, an afterword, and a description of beebread…

Propolis May Help Reduce Chromosome Damage

Effects of Propolis Crude Hydroalcoholic Extract on Chromosomal Aberrations Induced by Doxorubicin in Rats
Planta Medica, 2007 Nov 12

Propolis has been reported to display a broad spectrum of biological activities such as anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibiotic and antifungal properties, among others.

There is great interest not only in the determination of the chemical composition of propolis but also in the understanding of the mechanisms related to its therapeutic actions.

In this respect, the aim of the present investigation was to study the influence of both simultaneous (6, 12 and 24 mg/kg b. w.) and subacute (12 mg/kg b. w.) treatment with a crude hydroalcoholic extract of propolis on the frequency of chromosome aberrations induced by the chemotherapeutic agent doxorubicin (DXR) in Wistar rat bone marrow cells…

The results showed that the dose of 12 mg propolis/kg b. w., administered either as a single dose or as subacute treatment, caused a statistically significant decrease in the frequency of chromosome damage induced by DXR compared to the group treated only with DXR. This reduction might be, in part, due to the presence of phenolic compounds in the studied propolis, which are able to capture free radicals produced by chemotherapeutic agents such as DXR.

USA: 1st International Symposium on Honey and Human Health

The 1st International Symposium on Honey and Human Health features scientists, researchers and physicians from around the world presenting studies that underscore the role of honey as a functional food providing healthful benefits when consumed regularly.

Topics of scheduled presentations include:

* Immune system responses in patients given honey while undergoing chemotherapy
* Honey’s effectiveness in promoting restorative sleep
* Honey’s role in reducing insulin resistance, obesity and diabetes
* Honey’s effect on blood sugar and glycohemoglobin (HA1C) levels in type II diabetes
* Honey and its effect on cognitive performance and memory

Featured speakers include Dr. David Baer of the USDA Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center in Maryland. The symposium was initiated by the non-profit Committee for the Promotion of Honey and Health, Inc.

When: January 8, 2008, 8:15 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Where: Doubletree Hotel, Sacramento, California

Contact: Ron Fessenden, 713-436-7802, info@prohoneyandhealth.com

Study: Weight Gain Significantly Lower in Honey-Fed Rats Than Those Fed Sucrose

The Effect of Honey Compared to Sucrose, Mixed Sugars, and a Sugar-Free Diet on Weight Gain in Young Rats
Journal of Food Science, 72 (3), S224–S229

ABSTRACT: To determine whether honey, sucrose, and mixed sugars as in honey have different effects on weight gain, 40 6-wk-old Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a powdered diet that was either sugar free or contained 8% sucrose, 8% mixed sugars as in honey, or 10% honey freely for 6 wk…

Overall percentage weight gain was significantly lower in honey-fed rats than those fed sucrose or mixed sugars, despite a similar food intake. Weight gains were comparable for rats fed honey and a sugar free diet although food intake was significantly higher in honey-fed rats.

Honey as the New 'Silver' Dressing in Wound Care

By Sylvie Hampton, The Journal of Community Nursing (UK), November 2007, Volume 21, Issue 11

Silver is known to reduce bacteria in wounds and this aids healing in intractable wounds. However, the silver element within the dressing increases the cost of treatment and many Trusts are taking silver dressings off of their formularies. This has an implication for patients with wounds as the potential for infection could rise if prevention is not a consideration.

Honey has had a valued place in traditional medicine for centuries and has been used for reducing potential for clinical infection and for accelerating wound healing. Although honey has been used since ancient times some practitioners still hesitate to apply honey for treatment of wounds and some clinicians are under the impression that there is little or no evidence to support the use of honey as a wound dressing although positive findings on honey in wound care are widely reported.

Honey has been shown to give good results on a very wide range of types of wounds and it is therefore mystifying that there appears to be a lack of universal acceptance of honey as a wound dressing…

The antibacterial effects of honey

The antibacterial property of honey was first recognised in 1892 by van Ketel. Honey is a supersaturated sugar solution with a low water activity and high osmolarity which means that there is little water available to support the growth of bacteria and yeast. The high osmolarity is also considered to be a valuable tool in the treatment of established infections, because it prevents the growth of bacteria and encourages healing…

The action of some honey is linked to the production of hydrogen peroxide on dilution of the honey with wound exudate. Hydrogen peroxide is a well-known antimicrobial agent, initially hailed for its antibacterial and cleansing properties when it was first introduced into clinical practice. In more recent times it has lost favour because of inflammation and damage to tissue. However, the hydrogen peroxide concentration produced in honey activated by dilution is typically around 1 mmol/l, about 1000 times less than in the 3 per cent solution commonly used as an antiseptic. The harmful effects of hydrogen peroxide are further reduced because honey sequesters and inactivates the free iron which catalyses the formation of oxygen free radicals produced by hydrogen peroxide and its antioxidant components help to mop up oxygen free radicals…

Clinical observations suggest that honey holds significant promise particularly in the management of non-healing wounds and when applied topically on wounds will accelerate the healing processes. It is also known for enhancing wound contraction in fresh wounds which is one of the key features of wound healing. Research has also indicated that honey may possess antiinflammatory activity which stimulates immune responses within a wound and the ability to modulate production and quenching of free radicals may contribute to the ability of some honeys to help in resolving the state of inflammation typifying chronic wounds…

Conclusion

Honey certainly has an effect on healing and has the potential to reduce clinical infection in wounds. It is useful in debridement of wounds and in reducing the malodour that can occur when bacteria is present. Therefore, there is an argument for replacing silver dressings with the more cost effective treatment with honey.

Royal Jelly May be Useful in Treating Neurological Disorders

Royal Jelly and Its Unique Fatty Acid, 10-Hydroxy-Trans-2-Decenoic Acid, Promote Neurogenesis by Neural Stem/Progenitor Cells In Vitro
Biomedical Research, 2007; 28 (5):261-266

Abstract: Neural stem/progenitor cells (NSCs) proliferate vigorously as neurospheres in medium containing basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2), but start differentiating into neurons, astrocytes or oligodendrocytes in FGF-2-free medium.

An extract of royal jelly (RJ) significantly increased the percentage in the total cell population of not only neurons immunoreactive for class III beta-tubulin (Tuj1) but also astrocytes immunoreactive for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and oligodendrocytes immunoreactive for 2',3'-cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphodiesterase (CNPase) generated from NSCs, but decreased that of nestin-positive NSCs.

These results highlight a novel and outstanding property of the RJ, i.e., that it facilitates the differentiation of all types of brain cells (neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes). On the other hand, 10-hydroxy-trans-2-decenoic acid (HDEA), an unsaturated fatty acid characteristic of RJ, increased the generation of neurons and decreased that of astrocytes from NSCs.

These observations suggest that RJ contains plural components that differently influence neuronal and/or glial lineages and that HDEA is one of such components of RJ that facilitates neurogenesis by NSCs.

Propolis Used in New ‘Immune Boosting’ Lozenge

Jarrow Formulas’, Inc. Introduces Immune Soothers(TM) With Pink Rock Rose, Bee Propolis and Elderberry
NPI Center, 11/20/2007

Los Angeles, CA, November 19, 2007 — Los Angeles-based Jarrow Formulas’ has introduced Immune Soothers™, immune boosting lozenges with Pink Rock Rose, Bee Propolis and Elderberry.

Jarrow Formulas Immune Soothers™ combines vitamin C with other immune boosting botanicals, in a sugar-free lozenge. Immune Soothers™ harnesses the power of Pink Rock Rose extract, an ancient Mediterranean preparation rich in health-promoting antioxidants that has been used for centuries to strengthen immune function.

According to Mark Becker, Director, Advertising/Communications for Jarrow Formulas, immunity is a very important factor in staying healthy. “The immune system is perhaps the most important body system for living well and maintaining good health,” says Becker. “Immune Soothers™ not only offers Pink Rock Rose extract, but also Bee Propolis and Elderberry, all of which help to support a challenged immune system.”…

Honey Recommended as Alternative Wound Treatment

Health Matters: If Turkey’s on the Menu, Follow These Steps
By Jan Chait, The Tribune-Star (USA), 11/21/2007

…While we’re on the subject of alternate treatments, one for wounds can be found in your cupboard: Honey, says Medscape. Apply the sweet nectar to a wound and it acts in a number of ways, say researchers.

Honey acts as a sealant; provides nutrition believed to promote healing and tissue growth; kills bacteria and, when an enzyme called glucose oxidase added to the nectar by worker bees comes into contact with oxygen in the air, it turns into hydrogen peroxide. Honey has also shown to have a debriding action, which means that it removes non-living tissue from wounds.

In June and July 2007, Health Canada and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration cleared Manuka (Medihoney), described as “a medicinal honey with enhanced antibacterial properties” as the first medicinal honey product for use in wounds and burns. Manuka comes from floral sources in Australia and New Zealand. In fact, researchers say, manuka may even be active against MRSA.

However, you don’t even have to use manuka honey on wounds: A microbiologist at the University of Sidney, Australia, “has tested various strains of honeys against bacterial strains obtained from hospitals and found that even the strains most resistant to antibiotics failed to grow in the presence of honey.”…