What are the unique properties and substances that make honey a wonderful and unique wound healer? Let’s find out!
Honey has been used to heal wounds in most ancient systems of medicine. Now, honey has been reintroduced into modern medicine as a biologic wound dressing. It is now a component in ointment and dressings for wounds and burns.
Antibacterial property of honey
A wound is created due to disruption in the continuity of the skin. Bacteria can enter and multiply in the wound and interfere with the healing process.
Honey exhibits antibacterial activity against a broad spectrum of bacteria. It is even effective against many antibiotic-resistant bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus, E.coli etc. It can also act alongside antibiotics and enhance their effect.
Honey contains compounds like hydrogen peroxide, bee defensin peptide, and methylglyoxal. They exhibit bactericidal properties.
Due to its high sugar content, it has high osmolarity. Because of this property, honey can dehydrate bacteria and ultimately kill them. Its acidic pH also does not allow the bacteria to multiply.
Honey reduces bad odour in wounds
In long term non-healing and infected wounds, bacteria feed on the proteins in the dead tissue. This putrification process releases many compounds like amines, ammonia, and sulphur which cause malodor.
When honey is applied, bacteria start feeding on the sugar in honey and leave out the proteins in the dead tissue. This significantly reduces bad odour.
Acidifies the wound environment
Honey contains numerous organic acids. It lowers the pH of the wound site and makes it acidic. This activates macrophages, limits bacterial growth, and neutralizes ammonia produced by bacteria which could damage tissues. Acidic pH also facilitates the release of oxygen from haemoglobin.
Honey neutralizes free radicals
The reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species (free radicals) present in the wound are released by the white blood cells as a defence mechanism to kill microorganisms.
Long term presence of these molecules can cause damage to the tissues. They can delay the healing process and can induce hypertrophic scar formation.
Honey is loaded with antioxidants. Flavonoids, phenolic acids, tocopherols, ascorbic acid and certain enzymes are the antioxidants in honey. They counter these free radicals, promote healing and minimize scarring.
Anti inflammatory role
Inflammation is a necessary defence to counteract any toxic stimuli which can damage our system.
Long term inflammatory response can cause problems for wound resolution. Honey intervenes with the production of the compound prostaglandin, which mediates inflammatory response. This reduces swelling and pain.
Promotes formation of new blood vessels
Angiogenesis is the formation of new blood vessels. This occurs during the wound healing process to supply the required oxygen and nutrients for healing.
Hydrogen peroxide forms in honey when the enzyme glucose oxidase breaks down glucose. Hydrogen peroxide recruits white blood cells to the wound site and some of the white blood cells release a substance called a vascular endothelial growth factor. This substance stimulates angiogenesis.
Wound debridement
Honey debrides the wound and promotes a healthy wound bed. Due to its high osmolarity, it draws out excess fluid from the wound. This eases the healing process.
At the same time, since it is fluid, it provides a moist healing environment. This enhances angiogenesis and collagen synthesis.
Also, the moist healing environment helps in the easier migration of cells and growth factors for faster healing.
Boosts immunity
And finally, honey increases our body’s immune response to infection. It stimulates B lymphocytes, T lymphocytes, and monocytes to secrete various chemicals and antibodies.