Honey
INGREDIENTS: Fructose, glucose, dissacharides, fatty acids, proteins, amino acids, glucuronic acid. Enzymes such as saccharase, amylase, and glucose oxidase. Minerals such as potassium, calcium, copper, iron, maganese, and phosphorus. Vitamins such as ascorbic acid, thiamine, riboflavin, nicotinic acid, and pyrodoxine. Polyphenols such as caffeic acid, quercetin, galangin, and apigenin.
OTHER NAMES: Beri honey, Blossom Honey, Buckwheat Honey, Chestnut Honey, Clarified Honey, Honeydew Honey, Honig, Jellybush Honey, Langnese Honey, Madhu, Manuka Honey, Medihoney, Mel, Miel, Miel Blanc, Miel Clarifié, Miel de Châtaignier, Miel de Manuka, Miel de Sarrasin, Miel Filtré, Purified Honey, Strained Honey, Tualang Honey, Wildflower and Thyme Honey.
- Overview
- Usage
- Safety
- Interactions
- Dosing
- Others
| Usage | Effectiveness |
|---|---|
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| Proven | Safety |
USAGE AND EFFECTIVENESS
| Usage | Effectiveness |
|---|---|
| Burns |
Effective (Improve healing) Shown in several strong clinical studies to improve the repair process and reduce the healing time Several strong clinical studies to support the point above |
| Diabetic Foot Ulcers |
Effective (Improves ulcer healing) Shown in several clinical studies to speed up removal of dead skin and healing time Several strong clinical study to support the point above |
| Dry Eye |
Effective (Reduces dry eye symptoms) Shown in several clinical studies to improve dry eye symptoms Several strong clinical studies to support the point above Caution: please use medical grade preparation; do not attempt to use food grade honey for this purpose |
| Wounds |
Effective (Improve wound healing) Shown in several strong clinical studies to improve wound healing and has anti-inflammatory effects Several strong clinical studies to support the point above |
| Alveolar Osteitis |
Mild effectiveness (Improve symptoms of alveolar osteitis) One clinical study showing improvement in healing, and reduction of pain; but clinical study is not robust enough; more evidence is needed to support the above Alveolar Osteitis, also known as dry socket, is a condition after tooth extraction where there is incomplete healing due to failure to form pain clot, causing tremendous pain. |
| Eczema |
Mild effectiveness (Improve symptoms of eczema) One clinical study showing improvement in rashes; but clinical study is not robust enough; more evidence is needed to support the above |
| Eye Lid Inflammation or Infection |
Mild effectiveness (Improve symptoms of blepharitis (eyelid inflammation)) One clinical study showing improvement in lesions; but clinical study is not robust enough; more evidence is needed to support the above |
| Herpetic Gingivostomatitis |
Mild effectiveness (Improve healing of mouth ulcers) One clinical study showing reduction in the number of mouth ulcers; but clinical study is not robust enough; more evidence is needed to support the above Herpetic gingivostomatitis is a part of of herpes simplex virus type 1 infection, with symptoms such as high fever and painful mouth ulcer. |
| Rosacea |
Mild effectiveness (Improve symptoms) One clinical study showing improvement of rosacea symptoms;but clinical study is not robust enough; more evidence is needed to support the above Rosacea is a condition that affects the skin, causing redness, and visible blood vessels on the face; symptoms may include facial redness, swollen, red bumps, eye problems and enlarged nose |
| Allergic Rhinitis |
Unclear effectiveness (Improve symptoms of allergic rhinitis) Two clinical studies showing conflicting results (One showing that it did not improved allergy symptoms while another showing that taking it together with loratidine may improve allergy symptoms); more evidence is needed |
| Asthma |
Unclear effectiveness (Improve asthma symptoms) Two clinical studies showing conflicting results (One showing improvement in lung function while another showing no improvements on all measures); more evidence is needed |
| Cold Sores |
Unclear effectiveness (improve healing and symptoms) One small clinical study to support the above point; but clinical study is not robust enough; More evidence needed |
| Corneal Ulceration |
Unclear effectiveness (Improve healing of corneal ulceration) There was only a small and short clinical study which showed that honey may speed up healing; not enough clinical studies to support the point; more evidence is needed due to conflicting results |
| Cough |
Unclear effectiveness (Improve cough symptoms) Several clinical studies showing reduction of cough in children (effect was shown to be equal to dextromethorphan (medicinal grade cough preparation)) while analysis of clinical studies did not show improvement of cough in adults; research in adult usage has very been hampered by small study population and poor design more evidence is needed |
| Diabetes |
Unclear effectiveness (Reduce blood sugar level) Two clinical studies showing conflicting results (One shows improvement in blood sugar level while another shows no significant effect on the blood sugar level); more evidence is needed |
| Diabetic Neuropathy |
Unclear effectiveness (Reduce nerve pain) One clinical study to support the above point; but clinical study is not robust enough; More evidence needed Diabetic Neuropathy is a diabetic condition where the nerves are damaged due to high blood sugar levels in the blood |
| Diarrhoea |
Mild effectiveness (Improve symptoms of diarrhoea) Two clinical studies showing improvement in vomiting, diarrhoea, recovery time ; but clinical studies are not robust enough; more evidence is needed to support the above |
| Dysmenorrhea |
Unclear effectiveness (Reduce dysmenorrhea associated pain) One clinical study to support the above point; but clinical study is not robust enough; More evidence needed Dysmenorrhea is a condition of extremely or severe cramps during menstruation |
| Genital Herpes |
Unclear effectiveness One clinical study showed that it did not improve symptoms or speed up healing; more evidence is needed |
| Gingivitis |
Unclear effectiveness (Reduce gum bleeding) One clinical study to support the above point; but clinical study is not robust enough; More evidence needed Gingivitis is a condition where the gums are inflamed |
| Hemorrhoids |
Unclear effectiveness (Reduce bleeding and itch) One clinical study to support the above point; but it was unclear if the effect was due to honey or other ingredients; More evidence needed Hemorrhoids is also known as piles |
| High Cholesterol |
Unclear effectiveness (Reduce low-density lipoprotein (bad cholesterol)) Two clinical studies showing conflicting results (One shows decrease in low-density lipoprotein level while another shows no significant decrease in cholesterol or triglyceride levels); more evidence is needed |
| Male Infertility |
Unclear effectiveness (Increase male fertility) One clinical study to support the above point; but clinical study is not robust enough; More evidence needed |
| Malnutrition |
Unclear effectiveness (Increase weight gain) One clinical study to support the above point; but clinical study is not robust enough; More evidence needed |
| Menopausal Symptoms |
Unclear effectiveness (Metabolic control in postmenopausal individuals) One clinical study showing improvement of bad cholesterol and fasting blood sugar level, but it did improve overall cholesterol level, blood sugar control and bone density clinical; the study is also not robust enough; More evidence needed |
| Infections |
Unclear effectiveness (Reduce healing time of particularly Necrotizing Fasciitis (a type of bacterial infection affecting the skin, nose and throat)) Several studies showing conflicting results; more evidence is needed |
| Itch |
Unclear effectiveness (Reduce itch caused by friction between skin folds e.g groin area) One clinical study to support the above point; but clinical study is not robust enough; More evidence needed |
| Obesity |
Unclear effectiveness (Promote weight loss) One clinical study to support the above point; but clinical study is not robust enough; More evidence needed |
| Oral Mucositis |
Unclear effectiveness (Prevent and treat oral mucostitis) One study showing that the effect of the supplement is unclear; more evidence is needed Oral Mucositis is a complication from cancer chemotherapy, causing symptoms such as severe mouth ulcers, red gum, pain in the mouth, and difficulty in swallowing food. |
| Parasitic Infection |
Unclear effectiveness (for Leishmania Lesions – a type of parasitic infection caused by microscopic parasites carried by sand flies) One clinical study showed that it might speed up healing; more evidence is needed |
| Postoperative Pain |
Unclear effectiveness (Relieve postoperative pain) Two clinical studies to support the above point; but clinical studies are not robust enough; More evidence needed |
| Prediabetes |
Unclear effectiveness (Improve blood sugar control) Two clinical studies showing ineffectiveness in patients with prediabetes; but clinical studies are not robust enough (no comparator group); more evidence is needed to support the above |
| Pressure Ulcers |
Unclear effectiveness (Improve healing of pressure ulcers) One clinical study to support the above point; but clinical study is not robust enough; More evidence needed |
| Radiation Dermatitis |
Unclear effectiveness (Improve pain on swallowing) One clinical study to support the above point; but clinical study is not robust enough; More evidence needed Radiation Dermatitis is a complication of cancer radiotherapy, causing symptoms such as redness, itch, pain, broken skin, and being susceptible to infection. |
| Radiation-Induced Esophagitis |
Unclear effectiveness One clinical study to support the above point; but clinical study is not robust enough; More evidence needed |
| Tooth Extraction |
Unclear effectiveness (Improve wound healing after tooth extraction) One clinical study to support the above point; but clinical study is not robust enough; More evidence needed |
| Urinary Tract Infection |
Unclear effectiveness (Prevent urinary catheter (urine tube) related infections) Two clinical studies showing conflicting results (One shows application of honey reduces catheter-related infections while another shows ineffectiveness when honey is applied); more evidence is needed |
| Vaginitis |
Unclear effectiveness (Improve symptoms of vaginal candidiasis (a form of fungal infection of the vagina) One clinical study to support the above point; but clinical study is not robust enough; More evidence needed |
| Acne |
Unknown effectiveness There is no evidence of benefit for taking this supplement. Do consult your health professional if you still decide to go ahead to take this. |
| Cataracts |
Unknown effectiveness (for reducing cataracts and corneal opacity) No clinical study to support the above point; More evidence needed to support the point above |
| Dry Mouth |
Unknown effectiveness No clinical study to support the above point; More evidence needed to support the point above |
| Rhinosinusitis |
Unknown effectiveness There is no evidence of benefit for taking this supplement. Do consult your health professional if you still decide to go ahead to take this. |
| Sports Performance |
Unknown effectiveness No clinical study to support the above point; More evidence needed to support the point above |
| Stomach Ulcer |
Unknown effectiveness No clinical study to support the above point; More evidence needed to support the point above |
| Sunburn |
Unknown effectiveness No clinical study to support the above point; More evidence needed to support the point above |
General Safety
- Generally safe when used orally and appropriately; Generally unsafe when honey is produced from the nectar of rhododendrons
Pregnant/Breastfeeding
- Generally safe as food in normal amount and when used appropriately
Children
- Generally safe when used orally and appropriately for short-term in children who are at least 12 months old; Generally unsafe when used orally in children below 12 months old
Elderly
- Little data to show it is safe or otherwise; avoid if possible
Special to Note
- Avoid in children below 12 months old and those with pollen allergy
Contraindications
-
May worsen blood sugar levels in individuals with diabetes
May cause allergy reactions in individuals with pollen allergy
Side Effects
-
Generally safe; side effects may include:
Digestive system:May cause nausea, stomachache, and vomiting
Skin:May cause burning and stinging sensation, pain, allergic reaction
Nose:May cause burning and stinging sensation
Eye:May cause stinging feeling
Heart/ Brain:In very rare cases due to poisoning from nectar of rhododendrons in Turkey, may cause heart rate irregularity and heart attack, and hyperactivity, nervousness, and loss of sleep in children
Others:botulinum poisoning, paralyse or weaken all muscles for children below 12 months old
- Medicines
Low to Medium severity interactions with medicines for blood clotting (increase bleeding tendency), and phenytoin (anti-seizure medication) (increase side effects) and a wide range of medicines (reduce clearance and increase side effects) - Supplements
Medium severity interactions with supplements with anti-blood clotting effects (increase bleeding tendency) - Food
None known - Lab Tests
None known
- Oral (Adults)
Consume 35-75 grams daily in one or more divided doses for 1-4 weeks - External Use (Adults)
Used as an eye cream, eye gel, eye drop, topical cream, and mouth rinse; please follow manufacturers' instructions and do not attempt to use food-grade honey as an external preparation
- General Information
- Honey is used by consumers as a food sweetener and also for medicinal purposes.
- How does it work?
- Contains chemicals that may reduce inflammation, bacterial, fungal infections, cancer cell formation, cough, skin allergy, blood sugar level, menopausal symptoms, and may speed up wound healing time; it has antioxidant, metabolism-enhancing and prebiotic effects
| Effectiveness Score | What does it mean | Action to be taken by you |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Gold Standard | You should always consider taking this supplement. Do check if your health professional has any objection to you taking this supplement. |
| 4 | Effective | This supplement may be helpful. You may consider taking this. Do consult your health professional if you have any medical condition or if you are taking any medication. |
| 3 | Mildly Effective | This supplement may be mildly helpful. You may consider taking this if the benefit outweighs the risk. Do consult your health professional if you have any medical condition or if you are taking any medication. |
| 2 | Unclear Effectiveness due to Conflicting Results or Limited Benefit | This supplement may not provide a clear benefit to the issue(s) you seek to resolve. Do consult your health professional if you still decide to go ahead to take this. |
| Effectiveness Score | What does it mean | Action to be taken by you |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Gold Standard | You should always consider taking this supplement. Do check if your health professional has any objection to you taking this supplement. |
| 4 | Effective | This supplement may be helpful. You may consider taking this. Do consult your health professional if you have any medical condition or if you are taking any medication. |
| 3 | Mildly Effective | This supplement may be mildly helpful. You may consider taking this if the benefit outweighs the risk. Do consult your health professional if you have any medical condition or if you are taking any medication. |
| 2 | Unclear Effectiveness due to Conflicting Results or Limited Benefit | This supplement may not provide a clear benefit to the issue(s) you seek to resolve. Do consult your health professional if you still decide to go ahead to take this. |
| 1 | Unknown Effectiveness | There is no evidence of benefit for taking this supplement. Do consult your health professional if you still decide to go ahead to take this. |
| 0 | Proven to be Not Effective | Taking this supplement has been proven to be ineffective. Do consult your health professional if you still decide to go ahead to take this. |
| Amount of Medical Evidence | What does it mean | Action to be taken by you |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Proven by One or More Well Designed Analysis of Several Well Designed Medical Studies | You can rest assured that this supplement can do what it claims to do. |
| 4 | Proven by several well designed medical studies | You have good confidence that this supplement will do what it claims to do. |
| 3 | Proven by One Well Designed Medical Study | You have some confidence that this supplement will do what it claims to do. |
| 2 | Proven by One or Several Not Well Designed Medical Studies | There may be doubts about whether this supplement can do what it claims. Consider if this is necessary. |
| 1 | No Study Done or Proven by Weakly Designed Medical Studies | There are many doubts about whether this supplement can do what it claims. Consider if this is necessary. |
| 0 | Proven to be Ineffective or Harmful | You should strongly consider not to use this unless advised by your health professionals. |
| Safety Score | What does it mean | Action to be taken by you |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Safe for Everyone | This supplement is most likely to be safe for you. You may consider taking this. Do consult your health professional if you have any medical condition or if you are taking any medication. |
| 4 | Safe for General Population, with Unknown Effect on Special Population | This supplement is likely to be safe for you, except for certain circumstances. Do consult your health professional if you have any medical condition or if you are taking any medication. |
| 3 | ||
| 2 | Safe for General Population but may be Unsafe for Certain Population or have Certain Rare Side Effect | This supplement may be safe for you if you do not have any medical conditions or concurrent medication. Do consult your health professional before taking it. |
| 1 | Unknown Safety | Unless you are very healthy and have no concurrent medical conditions and medication, you should not take it. Even if safety is not an issue, you should only consider taking it if the benefit is deemed to be more than the risk. Please consult your health professional should you decide to take the supplement. |
| 0 | Unsafe | You must not take this. Please consult your health professional should you decide otherwise. |
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