Recent posts about the work being carried out on honey in the USA prompted me to write.
 
Here in Australia, the beekeepers are funding a project, through the Honey Bee Research and Development Committee, on the above subject.  It is being carried out by Dr. Craig Davis at the Centre for Food Technology in Brisbane.
 
Craig is sampling different floral types of honey thoughout Australia looking for antimicrobial activity.  He has come up with one floral source so far, called jellybush, which is now under going clinical trials at one of the leading hospitals in Brisbane.  It is being used to treat unresponsive venous leg ulcers and the results to date are very encouraging.
 
There has been plenty of anecdotal evidence of honey being used for this but a lot of the medicos are sceptical.  This clinical trial will be good.  This jellybush honey is being registered for use in creams.  Not all jellybush honey is floral active and so has to be tested before any claims can be made.
 
Some honey has been found to be "peroxide" honey i.e. it contains an enzyme (glucose oxidase) which produces hydrogen peroxide, an antibacterial chemical.
 
Craig's has tested hundreds of honey from Australia and we can look forward to some very useful results that will help the medical world.  It will also put an extra dollar in the beekeeper's pocket for those that can produce the honey that has antimicrobial properties  It will also raise the profile of honey as a healing agent.
 
Trevor Weatherhead
AUSTRALIA