[PHNUTR-L] Patients should ask surgeons about using honey to heal wounds

[Kathrynne Holden]

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Public release date: 17-Oct-2007
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2007-10/bpl-psa101707.php

Contact: Annette Whibley
wizard.media at virgin.net
Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Patients should ask surgeons about using honey to heal wounds

Surgeons are being advised to consider the supermarket as well as the 
drugs cupboard when it comes to effective wound healing, according to a 
research review published in the October issue of IJCP, the 
International Journal of Clinical Practice.

And patients who’ve undergone surgery should ask their doctors whether 
they should apply honey to their wounds to speed up healing and reduce 
infection.

“Honey is one of the oldest foods in existence and was an ancient remedy 
for wound healing” explains lead author Dr Fasal Rauf Khan from North 
West Wales NHS Trust in Bangor. “It was found in the tomb of King 
Tutankhamun and was still edible as it never spoils.”

Honey is enjoying a revival as more reports of its effectiveness are 
published, he adds.

“Researchers started to document the wound healing properties of honey 
in the early 20th century, but the introduction of antibiotics in 1940 
temporarily halted its use.

“Now concerns about antibiotic resistance, and a renewed interest in 
natural remedies, has prompted a resurgence in the antimicrobial and 
wound healing properties of honey.

“Honey has a number of properties that make it effective against 
bacterial growth, including its high sugar content, low moisture 
content, gluconic acid – which creates an acidic environment – and 
hydrogen peroxide. It has also been shown to reduce inflammation and 
swelling.”

Researchers have also reported that applying honey can be used to reduce 
amputation rates among diabetes patients.

Stressing that patients should always check with their surgeon before 
applying any substance to post-operative wounds, Dr Khan adds that 
studies have found that honey offers a number of benefits.

“It can be used to sterilise infected wounds, speed up healing and 
impede tumours, particularly in keyhole surgery.”

Studies have suggested that honey should be applied at regular 
intervals, from hourly to twice daily and that wounds can become sterile 
in three to 10 days.

“The research suggests that honey seems to be especially indicated when 
wounds become infected or fail to close or heal” says Dr Khan. “It is 
probably even more useful for healing the wounds left by laparoscopic 
surgery to remove cancers.”

18 studies covering more than 60 years were included in the review. The 
authors also looked at other substances used for wound healing, 
including maggots, which were also commonly used before the introduction 
of antibiotics and are enjoying a revival.

The team also discovered an ancient manuscript that used wine dregs, 
juniper prunes and beer, but point out that that has not been tried and 
tested in recent years!

“Our research suggests that surgeons should seriously consider using 
honey for post-operative wounds and offer this to patients” concludes Dr 
Khan. “We would also encourage patients to ask about honey as an option, 
but stress that they should always follow their surgeon’s advice and not 
try any home remedies.”

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Notes to editors

     * Honey: nutritional and medicinal value. Khan et al. IJCP, the 
International Journal of Clinical Practice. 61.10, pp 1705-1707. 
(October 2007)
-- 
Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD < fivestar at nutritionucanlivewith.com >
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