Honey for Burns | Proven Efficient Burn Treatment

Several different types of burns exist. Typical classifications are 1st, 2nd and 3rd degree wounds, epidermal, superficial dermal, and deep dermal burns to name just a few. Treatment obviously depends on the type of burn and is the task of the medical expert.

A few generalizations can be noted about burn dressings. They should be comfortable, non toxic, non adherent, non irritant, allow gaseous exchange and high humidity at the wound.

A clinical trial by Subrahmanyam (1991) in which the efficacy of silver sulfadiazine burn dressings were compared with honey dressings showed some clear benefits regarding honey. One of the conclusions:

"With silver sulfadiazine, the most widely used agent to prevent or clear infection in burns, 7% of the patients had infection in the burns controlled within 7 days, whereas with honey 91% of the wounds were sterile within 7 days

Honey was observed to remove dead tissue and offensive smell from the burns. Healthy granulation tissue was observed to appear nearly twice as fast with honey, and new skin cover developed faster also. There was better relief of pain, less exudation of lymph, and less irritation with honey. Honey also gave a lower incidence of raised scars and contractures." (Source )

This seminar article titled: "The Evidence Supporting the Use of Honey as a Wound Dressing" provides an extensive list of reports showing clinical evidence for the use of honey as a wound
dressing.

Of course it's redundant to say that severe burns should always be examined by a medical practitioner. But in case of a minor burn, medical grade honey wound paste or dressings might be a useful addition to the home medicine cabinet.

Honey and Scars

According to an article on the Ostomy Wound Management website:

"The anti-inflammatory action of honey provides the most likely explanation for the reduction in hypertrophic scarring observed in wounds that were dressed with honey.

The reactive oxygen species formed during inflammation stimulate the activity of the fibroblasts that produce the collagen fibers of scar tissue. In situations of prolonged inflammation, their over-stimulation can lead to hypergranulation and fibrosis."

Read the whole article titled: Re-introducing Honey in the Management of Wounds and Ulcers - Theory and Practice here.

For more general scar treatment information visit this site.

Manuka Honey and Wrinkles

The awareness of active Manuka honey being a respectable medicine is increasing. Wounds heal faster, less scarring occurs, infections get cured, stomach relief is offered, and heartburn can be treated. Just to name a few benefits. But how about cosmetic uses? Does Manuka honey help diminish wrinkles and fine lines?

Even in historical times mankind knew about honey being a great skin product. Being a humectant, it attracts and retains moisture thus soothing and nourishing the skin. Regular use of honey was thought to keep the skin juvenile, radiant and diminish wrinkle formation

Ancient Egyptian queen Cleopatra also was aware of this skin care benefits of honey. Laborants now know that the milk and honey baths she took really could have rejuvenated her skin because of honey's ability to retain and absorb moisture helping the skin stay hydrated and fresh. It is also thought honey supports the skin's ability to refresh depleted skin making it the ideal anti aging agent.

What we do know for sure is that exposure of the skin to sun radiation is one of the major causes of wrinkles. The presence of vitamins and antioxidants in honey and its antimicrobial properties are said to help protect the skin from the ultraviolet sun rays.

Manuka Honey is thought to improve the skin's elasticity, repair damaged skin and regenerate new skin growth that is rich in collagen fibers and elastin. (Studies on experimental wounds in animals have demonstrated that topically applied honey stimulates collagen synthesis and improves collagen strength. Source)

Although there isn't much research done on the cosmetic benefits of honey it might be one of the best natural anti wrinkle products. At least for Cleopatra it was.

Manuka honey face moisturizing creams are available at Amazon

Medical Grade Honey for Wounds

Decades of research have shown to this honey to possess unique qualities that make it ideal for the management of chronic and acute wounds and burns. All kinds of ulcers such as diabetic foot ulcers but also stomach ulcers, insect and spider bites, minor cuts and burns, and infected wounds can be treated effectively. Several observational trials have pointed out this treatment to be more effective than any other treatment.

The crucial element for customers purchasing these Manuka honey based wound care products is to make sure it contains the right Manuka honey. This because not all Manuka honeys have these unique qualities.

Medihoney (from the Dermasciences company) brings medical grade (sterilized) Manuka honey products on the market. Medihoney wound dressings and gels were approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2007. Because this company's products are developed in close collaboration with the experts in New Zealand these are the safe choice for customers.

Medihoney's wound dressings and gels work by promoting an optimal, moist and occlusive healing environment. The dressings easy to remove without disrupting the wound bed.

The effective wound paste can be purchased on Amazon

How Does Manuka Honey Work?

Many different studies have shown evidence for Manuka honey's curative power. As all honey's do, Manuka honey inhibits bacterial growth. Major difference is that (some batches of) Manuka are far more potent than other honeys.

Research has also shown the powerful anti microbial, anti bacterial and antibiotic properties of these batches of honey. Scientists suggest this stems from its high acidity, the osmotic effect (absorbing harmful fluids out of tissue), while at the same time creating a moist environment when applied to wounds.

The potent New Zealand honey has proven to be effective against the antibiotic resistant staph infection called MRSA. Research has also shown this natural product, or at least medical variants of it, to be able to cure wounds where other treatments failed. More precise, infections are prevented and or fought off and the healing process (granulation) is stimulated.

Furthermore, studies have shown it to cure gastroenteritis (stomach flu) and offer relief for acid reflux and stomach ulcers.

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, ...

.....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.

Read the rest of this article here