By Dr. Becker
Scientists have recently discovered yet another reason we MUST save nature’s pollinators from extinction, specifically in this case, honeybees. In addition to the invaluable pollination services they provide, honeybees may also be a source of alternative tools to fight infections in the face of ever-increasing numbers of antibiotic-resistant pathogens.
Researchers at Lund University in Sweden have identified 13 lactic acid bacteria strains found in fresh honey that produce a multitude of active antimicrobial compounds. Their study results were published in the International Wound Journal in September 2014.1
Bacteria in Fresh Honey Heals Wound Infections
Fresh raw honey has been used throughout history to treat infections. It is found in the honey stomach of bees and is quite different from the manufactured honey sold in grocery stores. In fact, highly processed store-bought honey is akin to high fructose corn syrup, which is more likely to increase infection and should never be used to treat topical wounds.
The bee honey bacteria was tested in the laboratory on severe human wound infections such as MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus),Pseudomonas aeruginosa and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE). When the bacteria was applied to the infectious organisms in the lab, it neutralized all of them.
The lactic acid bacteria has also been tested on horses with persistent wounds. The bacteria was blended with honey and applied to the wounds of 10 horses – wounds that had not responded to any other treatment.
The result? The honey mixture healed all of the horses’ wounds.
The same formula has also previously been shown to protect against bee colony collapse.
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Watch what "honey" you buy. Some of the honey is now honey flavored syrup. Yuk!
ReplyDelete11:03 It says "fresh raw honey" which you're not buying at a food lion, as it shouldn't be processed in any way.
ReplyDeleteMy bottle says fresh raw clover honey. How is that flavored sugar syrup????
ReplyDeleteThe only honey I like is the one I've been married to for 34 years
ReplyDeleteBee Martins are an enemy to honey bees,as are Purple Martins.They have so endeared themselves to us by controlling the mosquito population that people don't even realize the toll they take on honey bees.I have seen them fly directly inside of a tree or building after them & seem to be immune to being stung.These birds are only here for a few months each year,but the honey bee toll they take is huge.They also eat hornets,yellow jackets and wasps.They don't appear to mess with bumble bees.
ReplyDelete