Health: Honey & Antimicrobial/septic/scarring

Honey: Apply topically to reduce infection risks. Take internally for sore throats or carrier for herbal medicine.

'Most micro-organisms do not grow in honey because of its low water activity of 0.6.[6] However, honey frequently contains dormant endospores of the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, which can be dangerous to infants as the endospores can transform into toxin-producing bacteria in the infant's immature intestinal tract, leading to illness and even death[7] ...

'The study of pollens and spores in raw honey (melissopalynology) can determine floral sources of honey.[8] Because bees carry an electrostatic charge, and can attract other particles, the same techniques of melissopalynology can be used in area environmental studies of radioactive particles, dust, or particulate pollution.[9][10]'
Wikipedia



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Manuka honey, made from the flowers of the Manuka bush (Leptospermum scoparium), comes from New Zealand. Some varieties of Manuka honey contain an antibacterial component called UMF (Unique Manuka Factor), which has been found to be even more useful than ordinary honey in combating infections. Intriguingly, honey with UMF is even effective against many so-called “superbugs”—strains of bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus that are resistant to multiple types of antibiotics. An Australian company called Medihoney has obtained the blessing of the Therapeutic Goods Administration (comparable to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration) to sell this type of honey packaged as a dressing for wounds. The company also sells honey and honey-based products designed to treat digestive problems, oral irritations and sore throats, and even skin conditions such as psoriasis.
http://itotd.com/articles/218/honey-as-medicine/

http://www.new-zealand-manuka-honey....sh_single2.jpg

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Cannot forget MEAD!

Mead is a fermented beverage made from honey. It generally has a higher alcohol content than beer, usually 10% or higher....

The first meads were most likely made simply by taking honey and water and letting them ferment with the naturally occurring yeasts found in the honey. Evidence of early meads has been found in Egypt and on the island of Crete, and it was drunk in Greece throughout the Golden Age. In many early cultures, bee goddesses held central roles in the pantheon, and many have postulated that this was because of the intoxicating effects of mead harvested from local bee hives.
Home Brew wiki

9,000-year History Of Chinese Fermented Beverages Confirmed
Monday, 13 October 2008

ScienceDaily (Dec. 7, 2004) — PHILADELPHIA, PA, December 2004 -- Chemical analyses of ancient organics absorbed, and preserved, in pottery jars from the Neolithic village of Jiahu, in Henan province, Northern China, have revealed that a mixed fermented beverage of rice, honey, and fruit was being produced as early as 9,000 years ago, approximately the same time that barley beer and grape wine were beginning to be made in the Middle East.
http://www.gotmead.com/index.php?opt...658&Itemid=491
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The term honeymoon originates from the tradition that the in-laws of the couple were required to supply a month's worth of mead, or honey wine.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honeymoon

[elsinorelore]

My friend, and Homeopatic doctor told me years ago to use local honey for mine and my daughters allergies we were hit with every summer, I dont know if there is actually any scientific proof to back this claim, but can tell you it seems to do the trick for us. Ive been searching for more info regarding this. We also take pollen and propolis.

[Dakini]

Last night on Animal Planet (USA), one of the vets used honey on bandages that she applied to dogs who were badly hurt in a dog fight, saying that it is bacteriocidal - plus, it really sticks to the wound. She put honey on the bandage, and taped it to the cuts.