The Sweetest Cure

This liquid gold delicacy and common sugar substitute can do far more than sweeten your coffee. "Active honey" is commonly used throughout the modern medical world. But what exactly makes this honey so special, and how can you use honey as a medicine?

[1] Honey has been used as a natural medicine for centuries, and one of its most important .

Many of us enjoy honey and incorporate it into our daily diet, whether as a natural sugar substitute for our coffee or simply as a sweet treat. However, specific honey varieties known as “active” honey have also been utilized throughout history for their antibacterial and medicinal properties. 

Honey presenting unique antibacterial properties is found across different geographic regions worldwide, from Malaysia and Chile to Yemen in the Middle East. However, at the top of the list are Manuka and Jarrah honey, originating from New Zealand and Australia, respectively. 

[2] benefits is its antimicrobial and wound-healing properties . .

What is active honey? 

Active honeys are distinguished by the presence of bioactive compounds, which are components in food that influence physiological or cellular activities and may offer therapeutic benefits to animals or humans who consume them. One such bioactive compound is hydrogen peroxide, known for its effectiveness as an antibacterial agent. However, the activity of honey can also be influenced by other factors, such as osmotic pressure, pH — a scale from 0 to 14 measuring acidity (e.g., lemons or battery acid on the 0-7 end) to basicity (e.g., seawater to drain cleaner on the 7-14 end) — and the presence of phenolic compounds, which are plant-derived chemicals with distinct characteristics. Health benefits like anti-inflammatory, anti-allergenic, antioxidant — compounds that naturally occur in foods and prevent oxidation — and antimicrobial properties are often attributed to these phenolic compounds, which contain a phenol group in their molecular structure. Advances in technology and laboratory analytics have enhanced our understanding of these bioactive components, including their origins and how they contribute to using honey as a medicinal resource. 

[3] which make it effective in treating burns, cuts, and infections due to its ability to inhibit bacterial growth. .

The Science Behind Active Honey
Phenolic compounds, such as flavonoids, are metabolites found and distributed within plants which are carried in the nectar and later expressed in the honey. Specific phenolic compounds produce different characteristics in honey. 

Medical uses of active honey

In the era of “Superbugs” and bacteria which seem to be outpacing the production of new and effective antibiotics, the efficacy of natural alternatives is being closely examined. This has also included discovering the medical uses of honey —particularly for wound care.

Large pharmaceutical companies, including UK-based Advancis Medical, are now using high-grade Manuka honey to impregnate medical dressings for advanced wound care. These have shown positive results against aggressive skin infections, specifically Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA).

Jenkins, R, Burton, N. & Cooper R. (2011). “Manuka honey inhibits cell division in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus”. Accessed 03 January 2020

Honey grading 

[4] Honey grading is the process of evaluating honey based on factors like color, flavor, aroma, and moisture content to determine its quality and classification.

Active honey grading takes place in accredited laboratories internationally. Their chemical composition and activity levels are determined through quantitative assessment of chemical and DNA

aka, deoxyribonucleic acid. This is the molecule that holds all the genetic code needed to make you you. The molecular blueprints of life.

markers. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is one common laboratory method to analyze honey in solution. Active honey must meet certain specifications before it can be accredited and sold.