Honey is delicious with a cup of tea or spread on a buttermilk biscuit, but how is it on a skinned knee or infected finger?
A team of Australian researchers appear to have discovered that a special honey sold in health food stores has amazing antibacterial benefits.
As reported in The Australian online newspaper, the new research has shown that the honey kills every type of bacteria scientists have tested it with, including antibiotic-resistant ‘superbugs’ plaguing hospitals and killing patients worldwide.
The Manuka honey, also known as jelly bush honey, has killed every bacteria or pathogen researchers have put in its way. This honey comes only from bees feeding off tea trees native to Australia and New Zealand.
It’s applied externally on skin infections, bites and cuts. Scientists believe it could offer a solution to the growing resistance to antibiotics common to so many bacteria today.
The research is likely to result in the introduction of a wide range of new honey-based medicinal products that could be used instead of antibiotic and antiseptic creams and ointments.
The results of the research project are published in the June 2009 issue of the European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases.
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