UK Nursing Magazine Outlines Evidence for Use of Honey in Wound Care
Honey Dressings in Wound Care
Nursing Times (UK), 2006 May 30-Jun 5;102(22):40-2
Irene Anderson outlines the evidence that is available to support the
use of honey in wound care and provides practical points for clinical
practice
Bees collect sugar solutions from plants and concentrate the solutions
by allowing water to evaporate. The bees also add enzymes, one of which
converts sucrose into glucose and fructose and another which converts
some glucose into gluconic acid, so making the pH of honey too acidic
for microbes to grow in it. This reaction also produces hydrogen
peroxide (Molan, 2005). The type of honey from Leptospermum plant
species (such as manuka) is known to have a broad spectrum of
antimicrobial activity (Molan and Betts, 2004). A range of
presentations of honey is available with a CE mark; some are available
on the Drug Tariff. Indications and contraindications for using honey
are listed in Boxes 1 and 2...
SEE: http://apitherapy.blogspot.com/
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