Harry ([log in to unmask]) wrote:

>Although I believe honey does have antibacterial properties the reason it
is
>good for wound dressings is because of its ability to desiccate infecting
>cells.  I believe that sugar or syrup will achieve much the same results.



        Hello dear Harry and Bee-L friends,

    Yes, sugar and/or sirup can achieve similar results.

    Honey is however much better because it contains a much wider spectrum
of useful compounds.

    These compounds (minerals, enzymes, natural antibiotics, bioflavonoids)
even if present in very small amounts, helps for a better and faster
healing.

    References? Here are only two of them:

.......................................................................
Bose, B. (1983)  -  Honey or sugar in the treatment of infected wounds,
 in The Lancet, April: 963.

 El-Banby A. Mohamed;  Kandil, A.;  Abou-Sehly, G.;  El-Sherif, M.E.;
Abdel-Wahed, K. (1989) (Egypt)  -  Healing effect of floral honey and honey
from sugar-fed bees on surgical wounds (animal model),
  in the Fourth International Conference on Apiculture in Tropical Climates,
Cairo;
  International Bee Research Association, London.
.......................................................................


    For more references on this subject I would advise you to visit also the
following two web sites:

        http://www.bio.waikato.ac.nz/honey

        http://www.sci.fi/~apither   ("Surgery and Honey Bibliography" +
"Bacteriology and Honey Bibl.")


        Best wishes to all of you,

        Stefan Stangaciu.