Honey as a Complementary Medicine

Abstract

The beneficial effects of honey on human health have long been recognized. Today, many of those positive effects have been studied to elucidate its mode of action. This review briefly summarizes the best studied features of honey, highlighting it as an appealing alternative medicine. In these reports, the health benefits of honey range from antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory activity to anticancer action, metabolic and cardiovascular benefits, prebiotic properties, human pathogen control, and antiviral activity. These studies also support that the honey’s biological activity is mainly dependent on its floral or geographic origin. In addition, some promising synergies between honey and antibiotics have been found, as well as some antiviral properties that require further investigation. Altogether, these studies show that honey is effectively a nutraceutical foodstuff.

Physicochemical properties of eleven monofloral honey samples produced in Morocco

“…These beneficial effects of honey are probably mediated through its high phenolic content. According to Alam, Islam, Gan, and Khalil (2014) and Miguel, Antunes, and Faleiro (2017), honeys such as Acacia and thyme promote burn and wound healing due to their anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. Honey delays cancer development and improve the health of the gut by acting as a probiotic agent (Miguel et al, 2017).…”

“…According to Alam, Islam, Gan, and Khalil (2014) and Miguel, Antunes, and Faleiro (2017), honeys such as Acacia and thyme promote burn and wound healing due to their anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. Honey delays cancer development and improve the health of the gut by acting as a probiotic agent (Miguel et al, 2017). Several studies have shown that honeys from diverse floral sources including Acacia, citrus, rosemary and thyme possess potential anti-cancerous activities (Miguel et al, 2017).…”

“…Honey delays cancer development and improve the health of the gut by acting as a probiotic agent (Miguel et al, 2017). Several studies have shown that honeys from diverse floral sources including Acacia, citrus, rosemary and thyme possess potential anti-cancerous activities (Miguel et al, 2017).…”

Honey and Its Phenolic Compounds as an Effective Natural Medicine for Cardiovascular Diseases in Humans?

“…Of all the lifestyle factors that play an important role in human health, nutrition is key. Recent clinical and epidemiological studies indicate that honey may act as an important mediator of human health [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9].…”

Traditional Methods of Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis

“…Due to resistance against the common antibiotic, researchers are working more on traditional method of treatments [6]. Use of honey is increasing for wound healing, for treatment of hypertension and also in many GIT conditions [7]. This will be an era when there will be no more antibiotic for the treatment of common infections [8].…”