Honey for Wound Care

Varicose and Skin Ulcers, Diabetic Ulcers, Wounds, Burns, Boils, Pressure Sores, Cracked Skin, Acne, Atopic Eczema

Studies and clinical trials are showing that high activity  Honey provides an optimum germ-free moist wound-healing environment which supports and facilitates the natural healing of varicose and skin ulcers, diabetic ulcers, pressure sores, wounds, burns, boils, cracked skin ,cuts and grazes.

A very successful clinical trial using Honey on unresponsive skin ulcers and chronic wounds was carried out at Waikato Hospital, Hamilton, New Zealand, in 1999-2000


The following information has been gathered from some of the many reports about the healing qualities of honey. The relevant reports are listed in the Bibliography later in this section.


Medical studies are showing that a moist wound environment produces the best healing results.
* Moist healing speeds up the healing process. Tissue regrowth is slowed if a wound dries.
* Moist healing results in less scarring. A scab (dried serum) is the bodys natural attempt to keep a wound moist.
But the type of cell growth under a scab results in a pitted scar. A totally moist environment prevents the development of scabs.
* A moist wound environment is less painful, requires fewer dressing changes and produces better cosmetic results.
If dressings stick to the scab of a dry wound, when the dressings are changed the scab is torn off, causing pain and also the tearing away of newly re-grown skin tissue.


But Bacterial Infection Develops in a Moist Environment
A wound will not heal if infected or inflamed.


Honey can provide a germ-free moist wound healing environment
Honey applied to wounds provides a moist wound environment, could deal with bacterial infection and it nourishes new growing tissue.


But the Antibacterial Potency of Honey Varies
Honey heals primarily because of a hydrogen peroxide antibacterial activity. When honey comes into contact with body moisture the glucose oxidase enzyme introduced to the honey by the bee slowly releases the antiseptic hydrogen peroxide.
This is released at sufficient levels to be effective against bacteria but not tissue damaging.
But the hydrogen peroxide antibacterial activity in honey can vary widely according to:
1. Honey floral type (some nectars contain a catalase which destroys the hydrogen peroxide)
2. How the honey has been handled, especially during processing (the glucose oxidase enzyme which produces hydrogen peroxide is easily destroyed by heat, fluid and sunlight).
3. The hydrogen peroxide can be broken down by a catalase enzyme present in body tissue and serum, so reducing the antibacterial potency when used on a wound or infection.