Honey can kill bacteria

For thousands of years certain cultures have known that raw honey has amazing healing properties. For example, traditionallly in the Greek culture, honey has been used to treat stomach ulcers - it was recommended that the sufferer take 1-2 teaspoons of honey in the morning on an empty stomach. Up until recently there has not been much scientific evidence showing that honey has antimicrobial properties.

Honey from bees using a plant called leptospermum (a jelly bush flower from Northern New South Wales in Australia and a related Manuka plant in New Zealand) has now been shown to have antibacterial activity. A new study conducted by an Australian PhD student at the University of Sydney has shown that this honey is able to knock off the notorious bacterium "Golden Staph" (Staphylococcus). Even more surprisingly, the bacteria do not seem to become resistant to this honey. It was found that the honey kills bacteria by attacking over 100 of its genes, resulting in reduced reproductive capacity and increased susceptibility to death. The honey also seems to stimulate wounds to heal - no other topical antimicrobial agent does that. One day honey could be standard treatment for burns, ulcers and other wounds.

Last Updated: November 2003