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Honey could be a wonder drug
News.com.au ^ | September 24, 2008

Posted on 09/24/2008 10:22:19 AM PDT by Schnucki

HONEY, used for generations to soothe sore throats, could soon be substituted for antibiotics in fighting stubborn ear, nose and throat infections, according to a new study. Ottawa University doctors found in tests that ordinary honey kills bacteria that cause sinus infections, and does it better in most cases than antibiotics.

The researchers have so far tested manuka honey from New Zealand, and sidr honey from Yemen.

"It's astonishing," researcher Joseph Marson said of bees' unexplained ability to combine the nectar of flowers into a seemingly potent medicine.

The preliminary tests were conducted in laboratory dishes, not in live patients, but included the "superbug" methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or MRSA, which is highly resistant to antibiotics.

In upcoming human trials, a "honey rinse" would be used to "flush out the goo from sinus cavities," said Marson.

The two killed all floating bacteria in liquid, and 63-91 per cent of biofilms - micro-organisms that sometimes form a protective layer in sinus cavities, urinary tracts, catheters, and heart valves, protecting bacteria from normal drug treatments and often leading to chronic infections.

The most effective antibiotic, rifampin, killed just 18 percent of the biofilm samples in the tests.

"As of today, nobody is sure what in the honey kills the bacteria,"

(Excerpt) Read more at news.com.au ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society
KEYWORDS: antibiotics; bees; health; healthcare; honey; medicine
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1 posted on 09/24/2008 10:22:28 AM PDT by Schnucki
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To: Schnucki

test


2 posted on 09/24/2008 10:24:37 AM PDT by stockpirate (Bitter white trash clinging to God and guns. Sarah Barracuda - the trilla from Willsila)
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To: Schnucki

Okay, do I swallow it, snort it or something (what could that be?) else?


3 posted on 09/24/2008 10:26:32 AM PDT by Jemian
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To: Jemian

I use honey in my coffee, and it is fairly well known that local honey helps offset allergies. Just don’t pet the bees.


4 posted on 09/24/2008 10:29:52 AM PDT by billhilly (I was republican when republican wasn't cool. (With an apology to Barbara Mandrell.))
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To: All

bump


5 posted on 09/24/2008 10:29:52 AM PDT by Maverick68 (w)
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To: Jemian
Okay, do I swallow it, snort it or something (what could that be?) else?

Suppository.

6 posted on 09/24/2008 10:31:37 AM PDT by Izzy Dunne (Hello, I'm a TAGLINE virus. Please help me spread by copying me into YOUR tag line.)
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To: Schnucki

I had a sore throat this past weekend and was amazed at how good green tea with honey made me feel


7 posted on 09/24/2008 10:32:19 AM PDT by Mr. K (Some days even my lucky rocketship underpants don't help)
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To: Jemian

It said something about a “honey rinse”. If you have ever had sinus infections, you may have come across a small device for rinsing out the nasal cavities. It is a small container with a longish spout that you pour though your nose. It think that *might* be one of the way they are talking about.

Me, I had honey to my tea.


8 posted on 09/24/2008 10:32:37 AM PDT by TruthConquers (Delendae sunt publici scholae)
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To: Schnucki

It does kill bacteria, just don’t give it to infants under 1 yr. of age. It contains botulism, but is harmless to those over a year old.


9 posted on 09/24/2008 10:33:07 AM PDT by FrdmLvr ("Stand up, Chuck!")
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To: Schnucki

It does kill bacteria, just don’t give it to infants under 1 yr. of age. It contains botulism, but is harmless to those over a year old.


10 posted on 09/24/2008 10:33:13 AM PDT by FrdmLvr ("Stand up, Chuck!")
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To: FrdmLvr

All true, all true! That is why I raise bees and sell honey which is raw with no chemicals used in my beehives to fight disease or mites.


11 posted on 09/24/2008 10:37:47 AM PDT by Beeman
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To: Izzy Dunne
Suppository.

And, of course, you should lick your fingers after insertion to get the full benefit.

12 posted on 09/24/2008 10:38:12 AM PDT by Rum Tum Tugger
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To: Schnucki

From the article: “Canada’s clover and buckwheat honey did not work at all.”


13 posted on 09/24/2008 10:40:18 AM PDT by decimon
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To: FrdmLvr

If anyone wants to know more you can do a post to me and I’ll get back to you later. I have to get to a meeting now.


14 posted on 09/24/2008 10:41:42 AM PDT by Beeman
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To: Jemian

Inject it.........


15 posted on 09/24/2008 10:43:48 AM PDT by Osage Orange (MOLON LABE)
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To: billhilly

I think anytime you ingest a locally grown pollen, it helps. I have been growing all of my own herbs and doing pick your own and farmer’s market shopping for the past year. I have bought one box of claritin this allergy season (I should be on my third or fourth box) and my sinuses are not nearly as bad as they have been in the past. (Yes, I use locally grown honey too!)


16 posted on 09/24/2008 10:43:48 AM PDT by PrincessB ("I am an expert on my own opinion." - Dave Ramsey)
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To: Beeman

I always buy local honey to combat local organisms. Seems to work for me, (and my dog too.)


17 posted on 09/24/2008 10:44:33 AM PDT by Mikey_1962 (Obama: The Affirmative Action Candidate)
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To: TruthConquers

Yep. I know exactly what you are talking about. Adding honey to that when infection sets in or prior would be great for someone like me that often has issues during winter. I also read the device you are talking about may actually be a viable replacement for nasal allergies sprays if used daily . . . but I digress. A honey nose is a happy nose :-)


18 posted on 09/24/2008 10:45:50 AM PDT by GOP Poet
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To: Schnucki

Later consumption...


19 posted on 09/24/2008 10:46:04 AM PDT by aquila48
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To: Schnucki

I have been a daily bee pollen and bee propolis for years. Yes...and use honey too, about a quart per month. My husband and son do not wish to take the bee products, and have had NASTY summer colds/nasal infections. We live in the same house and I haven’t even had a sniffle. Then again, I haven’t had a real cold in years. I also practice ginseng on a nearly daily basis. These old remedies of preventative maintenance work! Doctors do not want to tell you though. Know why? You’d be HEALTHY and NOT NEED THEM!!!

http://www.beepropolis.info/propolis-info/benefits/propolisbenefits.html


20 posted on 09/24/2008 10:46:09 AM PDT by sevinufnine (Sevin - "If we do not fight when we know we can win, we'll have to fight when we know we will loose")
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