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Honey has exceptional antimicrobial and tissue-regenerative properties which should be exploited to the full to help wounds heal, say scientists. The sweet substance, the researchers say, is offering an alternative to conventional antimicrobial drugs which are increasingly becoming ineffective in the face of growing resistance. However, more work, say the researchers, is needed to identify and quantify the compounds that give honey its antimicrobial and wound healing properties to make it more reliable and standardized. Honey has been mainly used as a topical application on wounds for its antibacterial properties, resulting from its ability to generate hydrogen peroxide and the...

Australian researchers have been astonished to discover a cure-all right under their noses — a honey sold in health food shops as a natural medicine. Far from being an obscure health food with dubious healing qualities, new research has shown the honey kills every type of bacteria scientists have thrown at it, including the antibiotic-resistant “superbugs” plaguing hospitals and killing patients around the world. Some bacteria have become resistant to every commonly prescribed antibacterial drug. But scientists found that Manuka honey, as it is known in New Zealand, or jelly bush honey, as it is known in Australia, killed every...

Manuka honey could be used to combat some of the most hard-to-treat infections that are resistant to powerful antibiotics, scientists say.Lab experiments show it can clear bacteria found in festering wounds and contaminated hospital surfaces. It works by breaking down the defences bacteria use against antibiotics, making it useful in treating superbug infections such as MRSA. > "It could be applied topically to wounds and used in combination with antibiotics to treat resistant infections." But she warned people not to try the same at home with honey bought from the supermarket. "Not only is it messy, it wouldn't be advisable....