In a message dated 28/08/03 05:02:51 GMT Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

<<  I can tell you that this is, in fact, not a
 standard medical practice.  I can also tell you that there are far more
 consistent, controllable, repeatable ways to do the things honey is
 touted to do as a topical therapy for wounds.  This practice is not
 mainstream in this country, and therefore can be defined, in the context
 I used the term, fringe >>

I attended a fascinating lecture a couple of years ago at the National Honey
Show on the use of honey and other hive products for healing. In some places
standard western medicines are either unavailable or unaffordable, Cuba and
Burkina Faso were mentioned, and hive products are becoming the preferred
mainstream treatment for some conditions.

From memory, the Cuban experience was that hospital patients with respiratory
complaints who were treated with hive products were, on average, discharged
in 2/3 the time of those treated conventionally.

The difficulty, to which Keith indirectly alluded, is that western medicines
are standard products defined in a pharmacopeiea, whereas hive products are
variable. Therefore the physician has to develop additional skills and know that
the light honey produced by Pablo's bees on the hillside is better for this
condition whereas Pedro's honey from the forest is better for that, or it was
last year.

In summary, honey may not be consistent, controllable or repeatable but if it
is all you have and likely to get then it is worth learning how to use it
best.

Chris

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