Honey Helps Wounds Heal

How does honey help wounds heal? A 2010 study published in the FASEB Journal found that bees add an antibacterial protein called defensin-1, a natural part of their immune system, to honey during the production process. And when honey is applied to skin or an open wound, an enzyme called glucose oxidase breaks down, naturally releasing the first-aid staple hydrogen peroxide. Experts say that the high sugar content, low water content, and natural acidity of honey also prevents microbial growth.

Besides burns, honey has also been studied in the treatment of leg ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, and surgical wounds. In some studies, honey has even been shown to work against antibiotic-resistant bugs like MRSA and vancomycin-resistant enterococci.

Honey From the Pharmacy, Not the Supermarket

But honey produced for medicinal purposes is different from the stuff you may buy in a cute bear-shaped bottle. For one thing, honey sold for use as food may contain pollen, bacterial spores, and other impurities, while medical-grade honey is filtered and sterilized. A 2009 report compared 18 table honeys (those you might buy at the supermarket) with a sample of medicinal-grade Manual honey, which is particularly high in anti-inflammatory properties. Researchers found a wide variety of bacteria in the table honey and less antimicrobial activity compared with the Manual honey.

If you want to try the healing power of honey yourself — and stay safe — one commercially available product is the wound dressing Medihoney, which was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2009 and contains Manuka honey.

You'll be following in some ancient footsteps. "Early people were great observers," says Shaner. "When they tried something and it worked, they kept using it. Clearly people recognized the utility of honey."