Honey

One of the most important medicinal uses of honey is in cancer-related care. Honey is being tested to treat side effects, such as skin reactions, induced by radiotherapy and oral inflammation of the mucosa. One well-regarded scientific study found that honey reduced both severity and duration of radiation-induced inflammation in the oral cavity and prevented weight loss in cancer patients. A great deal of work is being done in the cancer ward of Bonn University Children's Clinic in Germany to test honey's different roles. The young patients in this ward form a high-risk group.

The medication used to treat cancers, known as cystostatics, not only slows down the production of the malignant cells but also the healing process of wounds. Children with cancer have a weakened immune system and if germs from non-healing wounds enter the bloodstream, they could prove fatal. Healing of such wounds with honey has shown promise. Further investigations could substantiate the worth of honey in cancer patients. There is data, although preliminary and mostly on animals, that honey can stimulate liver functions. Honey is also being studied for its protective effects on liver function in certain infections. At present, these studies are being conducted on animals.

Honey's anti-inflammatory properties can even reduce pain after a tonsil removal. Though a great deal of information has been realised about the medicinal properties of honey, further research is required to strengthen certain grey zones in its use. For one, there is no clear understanding on the differences between the pharmaceutical properties that occur among the different types of honey.
Interestingly, these properties vary with the variety of honey.

Among the varieties of honey that have wide spectrum action against bacteria, Manuka honey from New Zealand stands apart. It has been shown to kill over 250 varieties of bacteria, including MRSA. In fact, there are some brands of wound dressings, incorporating Manuka honey, that are better known as 'Medihoney'.

One must not carry the impression that all is pleasant with the many uses of honey. Despite honey's antimicrobial action, it can harbour organisms that have been reported to cause infant botulism. There are clear restrictions on the use of honey for medicinal or any purposes on infants less than one year.