Metro Atlanta Beekeepers Association

MEDICINAL HONEY CAN KILL BACTERIA

Dr. Mitchell Hecht

Atlanta Journal Constitution, September 17, 2008

The practice of using honey to heal wounds goes back thousands of years to the ancient Egyptians.  Honey has long had a reputation as a folk remedy for infection, but there’s been only a small amount of formal study into its benefit until recently.

 Honey has naturally occurring antibacterial and anti-oxidant properties, and it’s able to avoid bacterial resistance.  The bacteria-killing properties of honey are the result of low water concentration, a small amount of the oxidant hydrogen peroxide, and a fairly acidic pH of 3.2 – 4.5.  These three properties inhibit bacterial growth and kill topically when honey is applied directly to a bacteria-infected area.   

Researchers in the Netherlands recently investigated the antimicrobial properties of medicinal-grade honey.  Their culture studies showed that a forty percent solution of honey killed all bacteria tested, including the highly drug-resistant MRSA^a bacteria and vancomycin – resistant E. faecium^b.   

Honey from the grocery store is not medicinal-grade and should not be used for wound care.  However, Derma Sciences received U. S. Food and Drug Administration approval in 2007 for Medihoney, the first honey infused dressing approved for burns and all phases of wound healing (www.dermasciences.com).