Use Of Medical Honey Research Articles

Evaluating the effect of medical honey and stapler on skin graft fixation in burn wounds: A Randomized clinical Trial

Background One of the applications of honey is in wound healing. A stapler normally connects the skin graft to the underlying bed. Due to its high cost and lack of production in Iran, and causing physical damage to the tissue, an alternative method is needed. Objective This study aims to compare the effects of using medical honey and staplers for skin graft fixation in patients with burn wounds in the north of Iran. Methods In this clinical trial, 80 patients with deep second-degree and third-degree burns less than 40% of total body surface area were included and were randomly divided into two groups of honey (n=40) and stapler (n=40). Demographic information and the percentage of burns were extracted from patients’ medical files. The graft rejection, number of hospitalization days, grafted skin displacement, graft contracture, pain severity, existence of edema or hematoma, itching severity, and infection after grafting were investigated and recorded. Results Of 80 patients, 34 were male (42.5%) and 46 were female (57.5%). The mean age of the patients was 39.29±15.42 years. A significant difference was observed in the mean number of hospitalization days after grafting (P<0.001), incidence of infection, hematoma, edema, and severity of pain and itching (P<0.001), which were lower in the honey group. The graft contracture rate was lower in the stapler group (P<0.001). Graft rejection was not observed in any groups. Conclusion The use of medical honey for skin graft fixation reduces the duration of hospitalization and adverse effects such as pain, itching, edema, hematoma, and infection compared to staplers. This method is as efficient as the routine treatment.

Antimicrobial activity of a standardized medical honey on bacterial isolates from infected skin lesions of non-traditional companion animals.

In recent years, due to the growing phenomenon of antimicrobial resistance, the search for alternative strategies to antibiotic treatments is increasing and a considerable interest for the use of medical honey in clinical practice has emerged. Honey has been used for the treatment of skin lesions, in both humans and animals. However, knowledge concerning the use of medical honey in non‑traditional companion animals is scarce. The aim of this study was to assess the antibacterial activity of a standardized medical honey (Revamil, BFactory) against bacterial strains isolated from skin lesions of non‑traditional companion animals. The minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of Revamil honey against seventeen clinical isolates and three reference strains was established.The medical honey showed antimicrobial activity against both Gram‑positive and Gram‑negative bacteria. Growth was inhibited for all the strains at concentrations of medical honey ranging from 10 to 40%. Pseudomonas oryzihabitans and Alcaligenes faecalis showed the lowest MBC (10%). The reference strain Staphylococcus aureus ATCC25923 showed a higher sensitivity to 20% honey compare to the corresponding clinical isolate (P = 0.001). The observed results suggest that Revamil could represent an effective therapeutic aid, useful for the reduction of antibiotic use, in case of pathological skin infections in non‑traditional companion animals.

Medical honey and its role in paediatric patients

The use of complementary medical treatment in wound management has continued to grow throughout the world. There is a large body of evidence that supports the use of honey as a wound dressing for a wide range of wound types. The authors present an update of present knowledge about honey as a form of complementary medicine in paediatric wound management. The literature cited was found by searching the PubMed, BIOSIS and ISI Web of Science databases for the phrase 'honey and wound'. Papers where honey was used in a mixture with other therapeutic substances were excluded. Randomised controlled trials as well as case studies were taken into consideration. This paper reviews data on the effectiveness of honey in wound healing; 80 citations or references were found that matched the criteria. Furthermore, the wound-healing properties of honey are described and the mechanism of action discussed. The authors' data show that honey induced enhanced epithelialisation, minimised scar formations and had an anti-microbiotic effect. These results should encourage the use of medical honey in the field of paediatrics. It is a safe and natural substance that induces wound healing at a greater rate than conventional methods.

Medical honey for wound care--still the 'latest resort'?

While the ancient Egyptians and Greeks used honey for wound care, and a broad spectrum of wounds are treated all over the world with natural unprocessed honeys from different sources, Medihoney™ has been one of the first medically certified honeys licensed as a medical product for professional wound care in Europe and Australia. Our experience with medical honey in wound care refers only to this product. In this review, we put our clinical experience into a broader perspective to comment on the use of medical honey in wound care. More prospective randomized studies on a wider range of types of wounds are needed to confirm the safety and efficacy of medical honey in wound care. Nonetheless, the current evidence confirming the antibacterial properties and additional beneficial effects of medical honey on wound healing should encourage other wound care professionals to use CE-certified honey dressings with standardized antibacterial activity, such as Medihoney™ products, as an alternative treatment approach in wounds of different natures.

Use of medical honey in patients with chronic venous leg ulcers after split-skin grafting

To assess the use of medical honey on healing times and complications in patients with venous leg ulcers after split-skin grafting. Healing time and morbidity were evaluated in six patients with chronic venous leg ulcers who underwent split-skin grafting followed by the application of medical honey at the vascular unit of University Hospital Aintree in Liverpool. Mean healing time was 22 days. There were no complications. The use of medical honey in patients who have received split-skin grafts for chronic venous leg ulcers appears to give a similar healing time to that seen without the application of honey. There were no major complications. Larger prospective randomised controlled trials are needed to confirm the findings.