Presented by: Dr. Signe Beebe

All civilizations on the globe have relied on natural therapeutic agents to meet their primary health care needs at some point in time. Honey is one of the oldest medical substances and has been used for thousands of years. The ancient Greek physicians and the Egyptians were among the first to actually record the beneficial effects of honey. Honey has many beneficial properties including analgesia, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, anti-oxidant, immunostimulant, debridement and deodorizing actions. Recent investigation and research on honey shows that it contains antibacterial compounds that are effective against many common antibiotic resistant bacteria. Today, the use of medical honey for wound healing is being investigated around the world and incorporated into modern therapeutic wound and skin care products. Medical grade honey based wound care products are now being sold and used in New Zealand, Australia, Canada, United States, Hong Kong and the European Union. Not all honeys have equal medicinal value. From a medical perspective choosing the right type of honey that has been appropriately produced, tested, processed and packaged is critical for optimal treatment outcomes. Honey is safe and effective, and can be combined with conventional medications and therapies in the clinic and at home to decrease pain and promote overall quality of life.