Raw Honey for Herpes

Topical Honey Application vs. Acyclovir for the Treatment of Recurrent Herpes Simplex Lesions. 

Med Sci Monit, 2004; 10 (8)   Al Waili, N.S. Dubai UAE

The objective of this research was to investigate the effect of the topical application of honey on recurrent attacks of herpes lesions, labial and genital, as compared to acyclovir cream.

Material/Methods:   

Sixteen adult patients with a history of recurrent attacks of herpetic lesions, 8 labial and 8 genital, were treated by topical application of honey for one attack and acyclovir cream for another attack

Results: 

For labial herpes, the mean duration of attacks and pain, occurrence of crusting, and mean healing time with honey treatment were 35%, 39%, 28% and 43% better, respectively, than with acyclovir treatment.

For genital herpes, the mean duration of attacks and pain, occurrence of crusting, and mean healing time with honey treatment were 53%, 50%, 49%  and 59% better, respectively, than with acyclovir.

The lesions crusted in 3 patients with labial herpes and in 4 patients with genital herpes. With 

acyclovir treatment, none of the attacks remitted, and all the lesions, labial and genital, developed crust.

No side effects were observed with repeated applications of honey, whereas 3 patients developed 

local itching with acyclovir.  “Two cases of labial herpes and one case of genital herpes remitted completely with  the use of honey.”

“Topical honey application is safe and effective in the management of the signs and symptoms of recurrent lesions from labial and genital herpes.”

Comparative Costs

Acyclovir        $3,810.00 / pound

Raw Honey     $15.00 / pound

BONUS INFO 

Natural honey lowers plasma glucose, C-reactive protein, homocysteine, and blood lipids in healthy, diabetic, and hyperlipidemic subjects: comparison with dextrose and sucrose.

Author:  Al-Waili NS     Journal:  J. Med Food. 2004 Spring;7(1):100-7.

Honey May Prevent  Recurring Tumors

“A provocative Turkish study suggests that using honey as an ointment during a certain type of colon-cancer surgery can help prevent tumors from recurring.”

“While the research was done in mice and no one expects hospitals to start stocking operating rooms with honey jars, honey has been used as a folk remedy for healing since biblical times.

And a Mayo Clinic cancer expert said the results, though preliminary, are too fascinating to be dismissed.”

The Turkish researchers suggest honey might work as a barrier to tumor cells when it is spread in the incisions. 

It's not clear what the power of honey is, but there's certainly something here that's of interest,'' 

Dr. Young-Fadok said.

In the Turkish study, led by Dr. Ismail Hamzaoglu of Istanbul University, rearchers injected the mice with air, made neck incisions and injected the animals with tumor cells then either smeared honey at site or not. 

All 30 mice without honey developed tumors, compared with only eight of the 30 honey-treated mice.

In a commentary accompanying the study, Chicago plastic surgeon Dr. Thomas Mustoe noted that other research has suggested honey has anti-bacterial properties and may be an effective treatment for burns.

The study “highlights another potential use,” Mustoe said.  Dec  2004,  Archives of Surgery.