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 ...
I never had a sinus infection in my life until I went to an eye doctor for new glasses. He put some eyedrops in. A day later I had a violent infection. It never went away, has been chronic ever since. Two years.
When you go to an eye doctor, don’t let him put anything in your eyes that isn’t sealed and guaranteed sterile.
Try local produce markets, orchards and the Co-op. With all of the agriculture in your area there should be no problem finding it.
I see they mentioned manuka honey.
Honey was used on battlefield wounds as recently as WWI.
It's also hygroscopic, meaning it attracts moisture.
L
Bee right back? :)
Just bee aware that most honey contains traces of BPP.
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Call your local county extension agent or agricultural representative. Also call local agricultural stores for more information. Is there a farmer’s market in your area? You should easily find sources for honey.
It is best to get honey from within 20 miles of your own home.
Cool. It’s still beautiful here. Marion is west of me (Pulaski County). What I know about Marion other than it’s pretty is the mental health facility is still booming :>) Do you remember it? Right on the North side of the Interstate...you can see it from the road.
I say it’s probably true. Also heard vinegar is used by those trying to beat drug test results..so it must clean you out really well!
I use honey to sweeten my oatmeal. A daily “tea” said to be beneficial, even for helping avoid obesity, consists of one Tbsp apple cider vinegar plus one tbsp. honey in a cup of water, heated, drunk before bkfst daily.
Skoal!
The way I understand it, the frames are put in with “starts” (not sure the true term) of wax on the inner edges to help the bees out getting started, but yes they make their own combs. Bees are so cool! We had a wild hive in an old house on our property we wanted to take down. Had a local keeper come remove them without killing. I got to keep the honey and he took the bees home. I got 11 quarts! Sent it to relatives for Christmas.
Carolyn
UMMPH! Or not.
I’ve always wished us WASPs could produce honey... I’m a paper wasp and all I can produce is paper!!!
Un-uh Honey don't.
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