The use of manuka honey to promote wound healing

Abstract

When wounds are not healing, or the healing is slow, this is usually because the wound is inflamed. Inflammation in a wound is also responsible for unsightly scars after a wound has eventually healed. The use of honey as a wound dressing prevents these problems through its potent antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity. Another action of honey, its rapid debridement of wounds, also aids healing by removing bacteria-harbouring slough which gives rise to inflammation. With the use of Manuka honey, selected to have the right type and level of antibacterial activity, and with an appropriate dressing protocol that keeps honey present on the wound bed at all times, uncomplicated wounds will heal rapidly, painlessly, and without a visible scar. With complicated wounds, including ones failing to heal with any form of best-practice modern treatments, if Manuka honey is used appropriately it can be expected to have complete healing, with a cosmetically good outcome, within six to twelve weeks.