Wound care

I've read somewhere before that unpasturized honey is good for mild infections on cuts and wounds -- I can't remember where I saw it, probably some magazine article.  That's cool that your Dad's doctor is aware of something alternative like that. 

I've also heard that taking a dose of honey everyday can help with some allergies --- I guess it helps the immune system balance out?  Who knows how it works -- but at least it's tasty, even if it doesn't help that much!

I also remember something in Whole Dog Journal a long time ago about giving to dogs as a daily supplement.  Now that you've reminded me, I think I'll get some for Ruby.  She'd love it, I'm sure. 

 Forgot I had posted this on here.

I had along talk w/ Dad Podiatrist, a guy we've known for over 8 years, and I trust him.  He clarified:

Honey is bacteria neutral:  you can leave it on the counter for EVER, bacteria will not grow in it.  You do not have to put an open jar of honey in the fridge (I didn't know that, I refrigerate mine, lol).  HOWEVER, Honey also will not KILL bacteria.  So if the wound has infection, you need antibiotics (topical, pills, whatever) NOT honey.  Honey helps the skin heal.  IF you put it on an infected wound, the skin will heal over the top and you end up with cellulitis.

 Actually Sandie **SOME** honey does have anti-bacterial properties.  Not all -- and even the honey that does has sort of a "sliding scale" of how good it will be at this.

Just quickly this from: http://www.honeycentre.com/Manuka_Honey_Info.php

 "Pure honeys contain a varying level of the enzyme Glucose Oxidase. This enzyme, which is introduced into the honey by the marvelous bees, slowly releases antiseptic Hydrogen Peroxide effectively into infection sites, in or on the body, killing harmful bacteria without damaging body tissue".

 That particular website goes on to say that these specific honeys are being used to help where MRSA has made it impossible to treat with anbiotics.

That website is NOT any sort of "study" or independent information source -- and I'm never inclined to believe some website telling me how great their stuff is and in the next breath BUY SOME.  

 However -- this is of massive interest to *me* personally because of my body's predisposition to embrace cellulitis.  I've had it several times, and it is a massive risk for me because I've literally developed life-threatening allergies to so many antibiotics, and the last time I was in the hospital with cellulitis I nearly died.  

Unfortunately none of the US hospitals want to be quoted on this because they are all linked to large pharmaceutcial companies and doctors who are linked to hospitals.  If you "follow the money" you become only too aware that studies can be bought and paid for.  And Big Pharma is trying hard to shut down our ability to use alternative methods to  healing that bypass pharmaceuticals.

Who do I believe? Right now I don't -- but I bought some manuka honey myself simply to run my own tests.  

CAUTION:  not all honey does this -- and filtered honey is no help at all.  So beware.  But there is significant truth to this somewhere - I just haven't found a satisfactory source of information for myself.  I will email Compoundia and see where their information originates.

tacran

it works -- but at least it's tasty, even if it doesn't help that much!

Giving honey for allergeis DOES work - it needs to be unfiltered honey (i.e., honey that has some tiny bits of pollen in the honey).  It's actually a principle of homeopathy that makes this work.

Unfiltered honey from an apiary near where you live will contain pollen from "typical allergens" in your area.  Giving a tiny bit  (like 1/2 teas. or so) of honey orally allows those bits of pollen to be absorbed into the bloodstream (the mouth is FULL of blood vessels -- stick your tongue out and 'up' in front of a mirror and you will see this massive network of blood vessels under the tongue).  That then simply gives the body the opportunity to respond as it normally would to an allergen.  Rather than the body being overwhelmed by the typical amount of pollen that goes in the air we breathe that is so HUGE that all we can do is cough, choke and have teary eyes -- when pollen goes directly to the blood stream that way it's in a small enough amount that the body deals with it as it should -- by releasing the body's own natural anti-histamines.

It works and it's relatively easy to prove whether or not it will help you or your dog.

Just DON'T heat the honey -- i.e, don't put it in boiling water and expect it to "help" via your morning tea or coffee.  You'll change it if you put it in heated water.  Just take it orally.

Dogs DO like honey -- I've used it many times for cough medicines (honey and lemon?)  and I've even seen dogs like or not like certain "types" of honey (because whatever the honey is made from impacts the taste -- sniff Orange Blossom honey sometime and you can actually smell the orange blossom.  Taste clover honey versus wildflower honey or heather honey (made from Scottish heather blossoms) or palmetto honey or whatever is local to you -- and it all tastes different.

  I rarely look at sites for accurate, unbiased info that are .com sites as they tend to be promoting a product they sell, as you mentioned.  That said, this site may be of interest to you and others about wound care using honey. 

http://www.worldwidewounds.com/2001/november/Molan/honey-as-topical-agent.html

 Dr. Molan is the one who has done tons of research -- he's the leading authority on honey (and Manuka Honey specifically - he is a New Zealander). 

 Thank you for this Jackie -- I had this link the other day and 'lost' it.  I appreciate you posting this.  I hadn't had time to find it again.