Honey has been used to heal a wide variety of ailments for centuries, and is now garnering greater attention from the modern medical community.

The ability of honey to protect the skin has been known since ancient times. In fact, the body of Alexander the Great is said to have been preserved in honey. But it’s only recently that scientists have been investigating the use of honey in modern medicine, particularly as a dressing to prevent infection in burns and wounds.

There’s even a Honey Research Unit at the University of Waikato in New Zealand. Scientists there have found that honey kills a wide range of bacteria when applied directly to the skin and so helps prevent infection.

Part of honey’s antibacterial activity can be explained by what’s known as an “osmotic” or “water-withdrawing” effect. Honey has very little water – that’s what makes it thick and gooey – whereas bacteria are made mostly of water.

So when certain kinds of bacteria come into contact with honey, the honey basically sucks the water out of the bacteria like a sponge, and the bacteria die. And even though honey tastes sweet, it’s actually quite acidic – and certain bacteria can’t grow in an acidic environment. Finally, honey contains hydrogen peroxide, a known antiseptic.

Our thanks to:
Nicki Jene Engeseth
Associate Professor of Food Chemistry
Food Science & Human Nutrition
University of Illinois Urbana Champaign

Dr. Peter Molan
Professor of Biological Sciences & Director of the Honey Research Unit
University of Waikato
Hamilton
New Zealand