Honey: benefits, dosage, contraindications
Family or group:
Superfood
Active ingredients:
Glucose
Fructose
Amylase
Potassium
Vitamin C
Glucuronic acid
Indications
Scoring methodology
EFSA approval.
Burns ✪✪✪✪✪
Applying honey to superficial burns appears to improve granulation tissue formation and accelerate healing. The benefits of honey are comparable to those of topical antibiotics, including silver sulfadiazine and moisture-permeable polyurethane dressings. Studies use honey under dressings or impregnated into gauzes, changing the latter at variable intervals. A 2013 Cochrane review indicates that honey dressings may reduce healing times for partial-thickness burns by an average of 4.68 days compared with some conventional dressings.nnHowever, the effectiveness of honey compared with silver sulfadiazine remains uncertain due to heterogeneity among clinical trials. The review suggests that for deeper or more extensive burns, surgical excision and skin grafting are more appropriate treatments. Current evidence recommends the use of honey primarily for minor burns. nn
Posologie
Topical
Antiseptics for burns
Systematic review of the use of honey as a wound dressing
Honey compared with silver sulfadiazine in the treatment of superficial partial-thickness burns
Honey as a topical treatment for wounds
Honey in the treatment of burns: a systematic review and meta-analysis of its efficacy
Cough ✪✪✪✪✪
Clinical research shows that taking honey, 2.5 to 10 mL, before bedtime reduces the frequency and severity of nighttime cough and improves sleep in children aged two years and older with upper respiratory tract infections. Honey is as effective as dextromethorphan, a commonly available over-the-counter cough suppressant. A 2012 Cochrane review concluded that honey may be more effective than no treatment and diphenhydramine (an antihistamine) for relieving cough symptoms in children, but not more effective than dextromethorphan. A randomized study in 105 children showed that buckwheat honey, administered 30 minutes before bedtime, significantly reduced cough severity and improved sleep quality compared with no treatment. Other controlled studies have confirmed honey's effectiveness in improving nighttime cough symptoms and sleep quality in children with respiratory infections.
Posologie
Oral
1 - 2 cc
Effectiveness of honey for symptomatic relief in upper respiratory tract infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Effectiveness of honey for symptomatic relief in upper respiratory tract infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis
A comparison of the effect of honey, dextromethorphan, and diphenhydramine on nightly cough and sleep quality in children and their parents
A multicenter, randomized study found that honey had no pharmacological effect on nighttime cough or sleep quality in children aged 1–5 years
Leg ulcer ✪✪✪✪✪
A meta-analysis mainly comprising clinical trials, including between 267 and 616 patients with diabetic foot ulcers, shows that applying honey-impregnated dressings for 1 to 2 weeks reduces the time to debridement and wound healing, and moderately to substantially increases the healing rate compared with other types of dressings. Individual clinical studies also reveal that the use of manuka honey-impregnated dressings (Medihoney Tulle Dressing) reduces the healing time of diabetic foot ulcers by 11 to 12 days and decreases the need for antibiotics compared with gauze soaked in saline solution.
Posologie
Topical
Effectiveness of honey dressing in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Manuka honey-impregnated dressings in the treatment of neuropathic diabetic foot ulcers
A comparative study between honey and povidone iodine as dressing solution for Wagner type II diabetic foot ulcers
A Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial of Honey-Impregnated Dressing for Treating Diabetic Foot Ulcer
Herpes ✪✪✪✪✪
Clinical research indicates that applying honey to cold sore lesions can speed healing by 2 to 4 days compared with conventional treatments. A meta-analysis of three clinical trials shows that applying honey 4 to 5 times per day reduces lesion healing time by about two days, although it does not improve pain compared with 5% acyclovir cream. In addition, a small crossover trial in patients with recurrent cold sores found that applying medical-grade honey three times a day at symptom onset reduced healing time by nearly four days and improved symptoms such as pain and itching compared with conventional treatments. For herpes in the mouth and on the gums in children, slowly swallowing honey appears beneficial. A clinical study in children aged 2 to 8 years with herpetic gingivostomatitis shows that local use of honey, 5 mL every four hours with slow swallowing, combined with acyclovir, speeds resolution of oral lesions by three days compared with acyclovir with a placebo syrup, also more rapidly improving salivation and feeding difficulties while reducing pain and the need for analgesics.
Posologie
Topical, oral
Honey can help in herpes simplex gingivostomatitis in children: Prospective randomized double blind placebo controlled clinical trial
Medical-Grade Honey Outperforms Conventional Treatments for Healing Cold Sores-A Clinical Study
Skin healing, Wound ✪✪✪✪✪
Numerous clinical studies demonstrate the effectiveness of honey in wound healing, including partial-thickness burns, chronic ulcers, and postoperative wounds. The application of honey reduces healing time by nearly 5 days compared with conventional treatments and also speeds healing of surgical wounds compared with antiseptic washes followed by gauze dressings. Honey promotes granulation and epithelialization, helps cleanse the wound, reduces odor, purulent exudate, and pain, and increases eradication of infections. It is often found to be as effective as hydrogels, hydrocolloid dressings, and even nanocrystalline silver in some studies. The honey used in these trials varies, ranging from Manuka honey, treated to inactivate bacterial spores, to untreated honey. Dressing changes for honey-impregnated dressings are generally performed every 24 to 48 hours, although some treatments allow a longer interval, up to twice weekly. In terms of dosing, 15 - 30 mL of honey are typically applied directly to the wound and covered with sterile gauze, with reapplications every 12 to 48 hours, depending on the case. However, a recent study did not show a significant difference between the honey-treated group and the placebo group in terms of wound healing, but did reveal a significant reduction in pain and in the use of analgesic medications among women who delivered by cesarean section, episiotomy and/or tears treated with honey. The study's results support using honey to reduce pain and accelerate wound healing. However, variability in honey composition and differences in wound types may affect outcomes.
Posologie
Topical
15 - 30 mL
Use of honey as an adjunct in the healing of split-thickness skin graft donor site
Wound care with antibacterial honey (Medihoney) in pediatric hematology-oncology
Evaluation of a honey-impregnated tulle dressing in primary care
The effect of honey-coated bandages compared with silver-coated bandages on treatment of malignant wounds-a randomized study
The Use of Honey for Cicatrization and Pain Control of Obstetric Wounds: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Can postoperative pains following tonsillectomy be relieved by honey? A prospective, randomized, placebo controlled preliminary study
Dry eye ✪✪✪✪✪
Clinical research shows that some honey-based products may be beneficial for dry eye symptoms. Preliminary studies indicate that the application of Manuka honey-specific eye drops (Optimel Manuka Plus Dry Eye Drops) two to three times a day for 14 to 28 days reduces certain symptoms of ocular discomfort. In patients who wear contact lenses, these symptoms were reduced by about 18%. In another study, mild dry eye symptoms were reduced by 52% compared with baseline, with significant improvements compared with the use of lubricating drops.
Posologie
Ocular administration
Randomized controlled trial of topical antibacterial Manuka (Leptospermum species) honey for evaporative dry eye due to meibomian gland dysfunction
Effect of a formulated eye drop with Leptospermum spp. honey on tear film properties
Mucositis ✪✪✪✪✪
Rinsing the mouth followed by slowly swallowing honey appears beneficial for preventing or treating oral mucositis, although most research is of low quality. A meta-analysis of eight trials indicates that applying honey reduces the development of intolerable oral mucositis lesions by about 52%. Applying honey to lesions also appears to reduce the pain associated with oral mucositis. However, these analyses have significant quality issues. Patients in the studies rinsed their mouths and then slowly swallowed up to 20 mL of honey three times a day or more, typically before radiotherapy, 15 minutes after, and 6 hours after or at bedtime. Some studies used honey topically or as lozenges. In pediatric intensive care, preliminary clinical research shows that local application of honey reduces the severity and development of oral mucositis compared with using chlorhexidine, although honey is not as effective as topical vitamin E.
Posologie
By mouth
20 mL
Topical application of honey in the management of chemo/radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis: A systematic review and network meta-analysis
Prophylactic and therapeutic effects of honey on radiochemotherapy-induced mucositis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
The Effect of Oral Care with Chlorhexidine, Vitamin E and Honey on Mucositis in Pediatric Intensive Care Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Properties
Antibacterial
Honey demonstrates remarkable antimicrobial activity thanks to several complementary mechanisms. First, honey's glucose oxidase produces hydrogen peroxide, well known for its antibacterial properties. Although this hydrogen peroxide production contributes to the antimicrobial activity, research suggests that the primary antibacterial effects of honey come from other mechanisms. One important characteristic of honey is its high osmolarity, which allows it to dehydrate bacteria by drawing water out of their environment, thereby inhibiting their growth. In addition, its basic pH creates an unfavorable environment for many microbes. This acidity can significantly reduce wound size when applied as a dressing, and a reduced pH is associated with a reduction in wound size. Honey is also rich in phenolic compounds such as quercetin and caffeic acid, which are powerful antioxidants and also contribute to honey's antibacterial activity. Methylglyoxal, found in large quantities in Manuka honey, provides a sustained antibacterial action and is not affected by the catalase present in bodily fluids, unlike hydrogen peroxide.
Usages associés
Antioxidant
Honey is recognized for its antioxidant properties attributed to its phenolic compounds, notably flavonoids, which give it the ability to neutralize free radicals generated by inflammatory processes. In vitro tests have established a significant link between honey absorbance and its antioxidant potency, with dark, opaque honeys showing higher activity than light honeys. In particular, manuka honey has been identified as a specific scavenger of superoxide anions. Various studies have measured the ability of different honey samples to reduce reactive oxygen species, with buckwheat honey being the most effective thanks to its rich concentration of phenolic compounds. Regular consumption of honey also increases serum levels of vitamin C, beta-carotene, uric acid and glutathione reductase, underscoring the direct impact of its consumption on endogenous antioxidants.
Wound healing
Honey stimulates the growth of blood capillaries and the production of cytokines, thereby promoting tissue regeneration. The high viscosity of honey and its absorbent capacity allow it to form a physical barrier that maintains a moist environment, essential for rapid and effective healing. This characteristic also reduces local edema, accelerating the process of epithelialization, particularly between the sixth and the ninth day after application. The healing properties of honey include the promotion of angiogenesis, granulation, and epithelialization, observed clinically. The low pH of honey inhibits proteases that degrade growth factors and protein fibers essential to healing. In addition, the glucose oxidase present in honey produces gluconic acid and hydrogen peroxide, aiding wound debridement while exerting an antibacterial effect without damaging tissues.
Usages associés
Mucolytic
Honey, thanks to its pleasant taste, stimulates salivation and mucus secretion, facilitating lubrication of the airways and the thinning of mucus.
Safe dosage
Adults 12 years and older: 35 g - 75 g
Honey is most often used at a dose of 35-75 g per day, in one or several divided doses, for 1 to 4 weeks. For mucositis: 20 ml of honey as a rinse applied to the oral mucosa and then swallowed.
Child aged 1 to 12 years:
Cough in children: 2.5 to 5 ml in a single dose up to 30 minutes before sleep.
Precautions
Type 2 diabetes: avoid
Although honey is a natural source of sugar, it is important to consume it in moderation, just like other carbohydrate-rich foods.
