Honey is an antibiotic which is used to prevent infection on wounds and also to hasten healing. It is used as laxative, as natural cure for diarrhea and upset stomach, for coughs and sore throats.
How does honey work as an antibiotic?
When honey is applied on wounds, it releases hydrogen peroxide slowly. Hydrogen peroxide is an antibacterial, antimicrobial and antiseptic compound produced from an enzyme, which disinfects wound, kills germs and heals the broken skin.
Most strains of harmful bacteria cannot survive in the presence of oxygen or hydrogen peroxide. It should be noted that honey doesn’t need to be refrigerated as bacteria don’t survive well in it that is, it doesn’t spoil.
Honey’s viscosity provides a protective barrier and forms a moist environment for the wound. It creates a healing layer between wound and dressing with no sticking or tissue damage, reducing the chance of scarring as the skin cells grow without forming any scar.
Honey supplies nutrients necessary for healthy tissue regeneration and stimulates the growth of new blood capillaries. The antibacterial properties also provide a barrier to cross infection of wounds. The high sugar content of honey has an osmotic effect on wounds. It draws lymph out to the cells while absorbing moisture and provides an anti-inflammatory action which reduces swelling and pain.
Honey contains a large amount of glucose, a simple sugar that combines chemically with collagen, a tissue protein. When applied to burns or wounds, honey often heals without leaving scars. The acidity of honey also promotes healing. Honey even makes wounds smell better, because when bacteria in wound eat honey’s sugar, they give off sweeter smelling gases.