Five Reasons Why Honey Heals

Honey is good, natural "medicine" for everyone - inside and out. So take it daily or rub it on and treat your body well and bee healthy...

Honey’s ‘healing powers’ can be summarised into 5 main ingredients or activities of the components of honey

Scientific American, 2012, March 21

Hydrogen peroxide – Honey contains an enzyme called glucose oxidase which breaks down glucose sugars and generates hydrogen peroxide, a kind of bleach, when there is free water available. In case you missed the antimicrobial component it was friggin BLEACH IN YOUR HONEY. I can feel you wondering why bees would bleach their own food supply and it turns out that is very simple. Any available water can cause the honey to spoil so the presence of glucose oxidase in the honey is an inbuilt anti-spoiling mechanism, pretty smart huh?

photos of honey-healed wound in 3 weeks 

Sugar – The hydrogen peroxide control mechanism is a back up as very little free water exists in honey. The lack of free water is due to the vast amount of sugar dissolved into honey which gives it a low water activity. This essentially means that honey is more likely to take up water from its surroundings than have water removed from it and if you are a micro-organism it makes it very difficult to survive.

Methylglyoxal or MGO – This compound is an incredibly interesting and powerful antibacterial compound but, it is only found in certain natural honeys (Manuka honey from New Zealand) although it can be made in artificial greenhouses as well. This is the stuff that is making honey a potentially very useful topical salve (with the possibility of other forms of treatment being considered) in medical honey treatments such as MediHoney.

Bee Defensin 1 – Bee Defensin is an antimicrobial peptide (AMP) that for a long time was thought to be exclusively found in the Royal Jelly (The food worker bees make for potential Queen larve). But fairly recent discoveries have found it in the honey, but more on AMPs in a second.

Acidity – Finally, honey is fairly acidic and remains so even when diluted holding a pH of approximately 3.5. Nothing that likes eating you particularly likes living in acid so this property is very important.

No single property is more important than the others and the multifactorial nature of honey’s activities is probably the key to its amazing antimicrobial nature. Having said this, Bee Defensin 1 and other identified AMPs in honey such as Apidaecin may have much more involved roles that are only recently being uncovered...

Interestingly,apidaecins seem to also have the ability to alter the host immune system bymodifying chemotaxis (movement of cells in the immune system), apoptosis(induced cell death), cytokine/chemokine production (the production ofsignalling chemicals which direct the immune response), antigen presentationand the Th1/Th2 balance (whether you fight the nasty with B cells or T cells).

In mostcases the ability of apidaecins (and their homologues) to modulate the immunesystem has been done in the the organism the AMP was originally recovered frombut some recent work sugests the potential for insect apidaecin to have acrossover effect on a mammalian system. While apidaecin is insect derived itappears to be sufficiently similar in shape to human AMPs that it can interactwith and modify the activity of our immune system. When macrophages inparticular were incubated with apidaecin they started pumping out chemokinesand cytokines that promote increased antimicrobial activity in these cells...

While onlypreliminary, it seems honey and its various components might have more secretsto unveil which will further develop our understanding of the anti-microbialnature of this environmental product and at the same time its pro-immuneresponses elicited when we use it.

Propolis Antimicrobial Properties Disinfects Eggs

What's true for humans is also true for chickens - the natural antiseptic properties of propolis have been proven beneficial for numerous species...

Effects of Propolis on Eggshell Microbial Activity, Hatchability, and Chick Performance in Japanese Quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) Eggs

Poultry Science, 2012 April

Propolis is a sticky resin produced by worker honeybees from substances collected from plants, and it has strong antibacterial and antifungal properties.

The purpose of this study was to establish the effects of propolis on egg weight loss, hatchability, chick performance, and to control microbial activity naturally occurring on eggshells.

A total of 750 fresh eggs was randomly divided into 5 groups. Eggs from the first group were sprayed with ethyl alcohol (70%, A), the second group was sprayed with benzalkonium chloride (B), and the third, fourth, and fifth groups were sprayed with propolis at 3 doses: 5, 10, and 15%. Eggs sprayed with propolis had lower egg weight loss than eggs from groups A and B (P < 0.001). Bacterial activity was reduced significantly in all propolis groups. There were no significant differences between treatments for hatchability, embryonic mortality, BW gain, and relative growth.

Results of the present study indicated that propolis could be an alternative hatching egg disinfectant versus a chemical disinfectant, without adverse effects on hatchability and performance of quail chicks.

Propolis Found to Inhibit Candida Albicans

The antifungal protection of Propolis is due to its rich, diverse flavonoid content and it's proven control of Candida Albicans has been validated in studies worldwide...

Structural and Genetic Alterations of Fungal Cells Caused by Mexican Propolis

Science against Microbial Pathogens: Communicating Current Research and Technological Advances, 2011, VOL. 2

In order to study the antifungal activity of propolis ethanol extracts (PEE) from Apis mellifera bees from Mexico we used optical microscopy and we were able to see that PEE induced inhibition of germ tube formation of C. albicans.


Ultrastructural findings were seen using transmission electron micrographs of ultrathin sections of Candida albicans revealed that these cells suffered vacuolization, increased formation of storage granules as well as alteration and disruption of the outer structures of yeast, with release of intracellular material. In order to describe the molecular mechanism of action, we evaluate gene expression...

We were able to identify some over- and under-expressed genes. ADH1 y PIK1 genes were under-expressed in a manner dependent on concentration and exposure time. On the other hand, our team has determined the chemical profile of several Mexican propolis, with interesting results as the diversity of content and different levels of antifungal and antibacterial activities…

Although many studies have focused on demonstrating the antifungal activity of propolis and different extracts, few have shown their effects on the morphology and structure of fungi. We have found important cell damage caused by contact with extracts using bright field optical microscopy studies as well as the fluorescent dye White Calcofluor and transmission electron microscopy...

Based on the above results, it can be stated that propolis from the States of Guanajuato and Queretaro showed a higher number of compounds with longer retention time (higher polarity), which was corroborated by the MS study, in which it was found that these compounds were of the flavonoid-type, mainly pinocembrin, naringenin and chrysin, compounds characteristic of plant specimens visited by bees in that geographic locality...

In summary, we succeeded in establishing the chemical content of propolis, with a significant presence of flavonoid type compounds, a prerequisite for such high activity. Similarly, we must remember that the characteristic flora of each region determines the type of propolis bees collect in that locality, and this accounted for the differences in the antimicrobial activity which we found in this study.

Propolis, Abundant Source of Beneficial Effects for Human Health

A molecular review on the rich spectrum of beneficial properties found in Propolis... 

Beneficial Effects of Propolis on Human Health and Neurological Diseases

Frontiers in Bioscience (Elite Ed), 2012 Jan 4

Propolis is a natural product, collected by honeybees Apis mellifera, from various plant sources. Propolis is extensively used in foods and beverages because it improves human health. It contains more than 300 natural compounds such as polyphenols, phenolic aldehydes, sequiterpene-quinones, coumarins, amino acids, steroids and inorganic compounds.

Propolis exhibits a broad spectrum of biological and pharmacological properties such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antitumor, anticancer, antiulcer, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, and neuroprotective actions. The chemical composition and beneficial properties of propolis vary greatly depending on the phytogeographical areas, seasonal collection time, and botanical source. Polyphenols found in fruits and vegetables are beginning to receive increased attention due to their vital role in protecting neural cells from oxidative stress and neuroinflammation associated with normal aging and chronic age-related diseases.

Propolis is one of the most abundant sources of polyphenols (mainly flavonoids and phenolic acids). This overview is an attempt to discuss the molecular mechanism underlying the potential beneficial effects of propolis on human health and neurological diseases...

Mexican Honeys Prove Antioxidant, Antibacterial Action

It's reassuring to see Mexican researchers contributing to the body of science confirming the antibacterial and antioxidant properties in honey. Nutritionally speaking, I've often found Mexican Honey to be very flavorful, aromatic and with lots of tropical notes.  

Quality Parameters and Antioxidant and Antibacterial Properties of Some Mexican Honeys

J Food Science, 2011 Dec 2

A total of 14 Mexican honeys were screened for quality parameters including color, moisture, proline, and acidity. Antioxidant properties of complete honey and its methanolic extracts were evaluated by the DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays. In addition, the antimicrobial activity of complete honeys against Bacillus cereus ATCC 10876, Listeria monocytogenes Scott A, Salmonella Typhimurium ATCC 14028, and Sthapylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 was determined.

Most of honeys analyzed showed values within quality parameters established by the Codex Alimentarius Commission in 2001. Eucalyptus flower honey and orange blossom honey showed the highest phenolic contents and antioxidant capacity. Bell flower, orange blossom, and eucalyptus flower honeys inhibited the growth of the 4 evaluated microorganisms. The remaining honeys affected at least 1 of the estimated growth parameters (increased lag phase, decreased growth rate, and/or maximum population density). Microorganism sensitivity to the antimicrobial activity of honeys followed the order B. cereus; L. monocytogenes; Salmonella Typhimurium; S. aureus.

The monofloral honey samples from orange blossoms, and eucalyptus flowers demonstrated to be good sources of antioxidant and antimicrobial compounds. All the Mexican honey samples examined proved to be good sources of antioxidants and antimicrobial agents that might serve to maintain health and protect against several diseases. 

Practical Application: 

The results of the study showed that Mexican honeys display good quality parameters and antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Mexican honey can be used as an additive in the food industry to increase the nutraceutical value of products.

Honey: The 'Bee Penicillin' That Could Even Beat MRSA

a well-researched author with concise references to the latest discoveries of the benefits of honey...

Honey: The 'Bee Penicillin' That Could Even Beat MRSA

By Gloria Havenhand, Daily Mail (UK), 11/19/2011

It is often hailed as a natural, healthy sweetener – but in most cases, honey bought from supermarkets today is simply sugar syrup with no nutritional value at all. To reap the true benefits of what was dubbed ‘the food of the gods’ by the Ancient Greeks, you have to look for the raw variety.

Perfectly clear honey has usually undergone a process of ultrafiltration and pasteurisation, which involves heating and passing it through a fine mesh, to ensure it remains runny at any temperature. This strips away many of the unique chemicals and compounds that make it a nutritious and healing health food…

Raw honey is particularly high in polyphenols, an antioxidant that has been linked to a reduced risk of cancer, lowering blood cholesterol and combating heart disease. The darkest varieties of honey include heather and hedgerow honey, which have a polyphenol content of 201mg per gram. In contrast, rapeseed oil honey, known in supermarkets as ‘blossom honey’, trails behind at just 71mg per gram.

The white ring of pollen on the top contains B vitamins, Vitamins C, D and E as well as minerals and 31 other antioxidants, although to get close to your recommended daily amounts of each nutrient you need a pollen supplement…

The University of Waikato in New Zealand found that when raw honey was applied to MRSA infected antibiotic-resistant wounds, they became sterile and healed so quickly that patients could leave hospital weeks earlier. Scarring was minimised because peeling back a dressing glazed in honey – as opposed to a dry bandage – did not disturb the new tissue underneath. If you suffer a minor wound or burn, glaze a bandage with raw honey and cover. Change the glazed bandage every 24 hours and any cuts or signs of infection should disappear within a week (if not, see a doctor).

While manuka honey – a variety produced using only nectar and pollen from the manuka bush in New Zealand – gets the majority of press for being antibacterial, a good-quality raw UK honey will also be powerfully antibacterial and can kill E.coli and MRSA…

Raw honey’s anti-inflammatory properties can help soothe chronic skin conditions. Cleopatra famously bathed in milk and honey because of their skin-softening qualities – honey is a natural emollient as it is humectant (it attracts water). Melting half a jar of raw honey into a warm bath will promote healing in patients suffering with skin conditions such as psoriasis or eczema, too. Mixed with olive oil, raw honey applied to the scalp is also a great tonic for those suffering with a seborrheic dermatitis (a flaky scalp condition).

Potent Antibacterial Components of Honey Reviewed

Honeybees continue to perplex medical researchers with something as pure and natural as honey... 

Antibacterial Components of Honey

IUBMB Life, 2011 Nov 17

The antibacterial activity of honey has been known since the 19th century. Recently, the potent activity of honey against antibiotic-resistant bacteria has further increased the interest for application of honey, but incomplete knowledge of the antibacterial activity is a major obstacle for clinical applicability.

The high sugar concentration, hydrogen peroxide, and the low pH are well-known antibacterial factors in honey and more recently, methylglyoxal and the antimicrobial peptide bee defensin-1 were identified as important antibacterial compounds in honey.

The antibacterial activity of honey is highly complex due to the involvement of multiple compounds and due to the large variation in the concentrations of these compounds among honeys. The current review will elaborate on the antibacterial compounds in honey.

We discuss the activity of the individual compounds, their contribution to the complex antibacterial activity of honey, a novel approach to identify additional honey antibacterial compounds, and the implications of the novel developments for standardization of honey for medical applications...

Basque Propolis Has Strong Activity Against Microbial Strains

Exciting new results of propolis antimicrobial and antifungal action against Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans and Salmonella enterica ...

The Antimicrobial Effects of Propolis Collected in Different Regions in the Basque Country (Northern Spain)

WorldJournal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Nov 2011

The antimicrobial activity of 19 propolis extracts prepared in different solvents (ethanol and propylene glycol) (EEP/PEP), was evaluated against some bacterial and fungal isolates using the agar-well diffusion method.

It was verified that all the samples tested showed antimicrobial activity, although results varied considerably between samples. Results revealed that both types of propolis extracts showed highly sensitive antimicrobial action against Gram-positive bacteria and fungi at a concentration of 20% (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisae) with a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 mg/ml, with a moderate effect against Streptococcus pyogenes (MIC from 17 to 26 mg/ml).

To our knowledge, this is the first study showing elevated antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative bacteria [Salmonella enterica (MIC from 0.6 to 1.4 mg/ml)] and lesser activity against Helicobacter pylori (MIC from 6 to 14 mg/ml), while Escherichia coli was resistant.

This concluded that the Basque propolis had a strong and dose-dependent activity against most of the microbial strains tested, while database comparison revealed that phenolic substances were responsible for this inhibition, regardless of their geographical origin and the solvent employed for extraction. Statistical analysis showed no significant differences between EEP and PEP extracts.

Honey Reduces Growth & Virulence of E. coli

Honey has to be mankind's best food and medicine... even at low concentration it kills resistant bacteria...

Low Concentrations of Honey Reduce Biofilm Formation, Quorum Sensing, and Virulence in Escherichia coli O157:H7

Biofouling, 2011 Nov;27(10):1095-104

Bacterial biofilms are associated with persistent infections due to their high resistance to antimicrobial agents. Hence, controlling pathogenic biofilm formation is important in bacteria-related diseases.

Honey, at a low concentration of 0.5% (v/v), significantly reduced biofilm formation in enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 without inhibiting the growth of planktonic cells. Conversely, this concentration did not inhibit commensal E. coli K-12 biofilm formation.

Transcriptome analyses showed that honey significantly repressed curli genes (csgBAC), quorum sensing genes (AI-2 importer and indole biosynthesis), and virulence genes (LEE genes). Glucose and fructose in the honeys were found to be key components in reducing biofilm formation by E. coli O157:H7 through the suppression of curli production and AI-2 import. Furthermore, honey, glucose and fructose decreased the colonization of E. coli O157:H7 cells on human HT-29 epithelial cells.

These results suggest that low concentrations of honey, such as in honeyed water, can be a practical means for reducing the colonization and virulence of pathogenic E. coli O157:H7.

Antibacterial Strength of Honey Outperforms Artificial Honey

It's best to set the record straight - natural honey is better than manmade honey...

Effect of Honey on Streptococcus mutans Growth and Biofilm Formation

Applied & Environmental Microbiology, 2011 Oct 28

Because of the tradition of using honey as an antimicrobial medicament, we investigated the effect of natural honey (NH) on Streptococcus mutans growth, viability and biofilm formation compared to an artificial honey (AH).

AH contained the sugars at the concentrations reported for NH. NH and AH concentrations were obtained by serial dilution with tryptic soy broth (TSB). Several concentrations of NH and AH were tested for inhibition of bacterial growth, viability and biofilm formation after inoculation with S. mutans UA159 in 96-well microtiter plates to obtain absorbance and CFU values.

Overall, NH supported significantly less bacterial growth compared to the AH at 25 and 12.5% concentrations. At 50 and 25% concentrations, both honey groups provided significantly less bacterial growth and biofilm formation compared to the TSB control.

For bacterial viability, all honey concentrations were not significantly different from the TSB control except for 50% NH. NH was able to decrease the maximum velocity of S. mutans growth compared to AH.

In summary, NH demonstrated more inhibition of bacterial growth, viability and biofilm compared to AH. This study highlights the potential antibacterial properties of NH, and could suggest that the antimicrobial mechanism of NH is not solely due to its high sugar content.

Antimicrobial Compound Found in Sunflower Honey

this study reinforces the advantages of cooking with honey instead sugar -- protect your food and your body!

Worobo Discovers Compound in a Honey That Could Lead to a New Natural Preservative

Amanda Garris, ChronicleOnline, 10/17/11

Honey has been used as a topical antibiotic since the Egyptians wrote papyrus prescriptions. Now, a Cornell food scientist has identified an antimicrobial compound in a honey that makes it a promising candidate as a natural preservative to prevent food-borne illness and food spoilage.

Randy Worobo, associate professor of food microbiology at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, and his lab members tested more than 2,000 strains of bacteria from eight types of honey from the United States and New Zealand. One of them stood out.

"In sunflower honey from South Dakota, we identified a strain of Bacillus thuringiensis the biological control known to organic gardeners as 'Bt' — which was effective against common food-borne pathogens including Listeria monocytogenes, the bacteria behind the recent deadly cantaloupe outbreak," said Worobo. "This Bt strain was intriguing, because it had both strong antibacterial and strong antifungal activity."

In analyzing the compounds produced by the bacteria, they found one with strong antibacterial activity that they designated as thurincin H. They recognized it as a bacteriocin, a common class of antimicrobials that bacteria produce to compete against other microbes. But compared with the some 40 known bacteriocins, it is unique: It is coded in the bacterial DNA as a unit containing three identical copies of the same bacteriocin gene.

Their findings were reported in September in Angewandte Chemie International Edition…. 

..."Bacteriocins are promising natural food preservatives for the food, livestock and agricultural industries," said Worobo. "Because they come from food-grade microorganisms, they are generally regarded as safe."

Honey May Help Prevent Post-Operative Eye Inflammation

Honey has often been reported to eliminate cataracts simply by placing drops of liquid honey in the eye... 

Honey Prophylaxis Reduces the Risk of EndophthalmitisDuring Perioperative Period of Eye Surgery

Phytotherapy Research, Early View

Endophthalmitis following eye surgery remains a rarebut serious complication. Topical fluoroquinolones have been used asprophylactic agents against endophthalmitis. However, the emerging resistanceof ocular pathogens to fluoroquinolones may preclude their routine use.

Honey, a natural antimicrobial product with woundhealing properties, is a promising candidate for the prophylaxis ofendophthalmitis.

The goal of this study was to determine whether 25%(w/v) honey solution is effective in eradicating bacterial ocular pathogens inthe perioperative period in patients scheduled for cataract surgery orvitrectomy, and to compare its efficacy to 0.3% ofloxacin.

In this pilot study, 101 patients were randomized tohoney (n = 49) or ofloxacin (n = 52) treatment. In both groups, eye drops wereadministered five times a day for 7 days before and 5 days after surgery.Before administration of the antibacterial agents, 18 and 25 isolates weredetected in the ofloxacin and honey group, respectively.

After 7 days of administration, four isolates (coagulase-negativeStaphylococcus) were detected in each therapeutic group. No significantdifference in antibacterial effect was found between groups. These resultsindicate that honey may act as a prophylactic agent of endophthalmitis; however,further studies are needed to characterize its ocular penetration properties.

Red Propolis Extract Kills More Leukemia Cancer Cells

the unrelenting power of propolis, proving once again its anti-carcinogenic properties...

Comparisonof Effects of the Ethanolic Extracts of Brazilian Propolis on Human LeukemicCells As Assessed with the MTT Assay

Evidence-BasedComplementary and Alternative Medicine, Volume 2012

Propolis isa resinous product collected by honey bees. It was also reported that propolishas a wide variety of biological actions, including antimicrobial activity andantioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and suppressive effects of dioxin toxicity activities.

The aim ofthis study was to compare the in vitro cytotoxic activities of green propolis(G12) and red propolis (G13) in human leukemia cells. These cells wereincubated with different concentrations of propolis and 48 hours after the IC50was calculated for each cell.

The resultsshowed that the red propolis has cytotoxic effect in vitro higher than greenpropolis. Red propolis was showed to be cytostatic in K562 cells and caused thesame amount of apoptosis as its control Gleevec.

Inconclusion, these results showed that red propolis is more cytotoxic than thegreen propolis in a variety of human cell lines of leukemia. Red propolis maycontain drugs capable of inhibiting cancer cell growth. Therefore, furtherisolation of respective chemical ingredients from the red propolis (G13) foridentification of the activities is necessary.

Bee Venom Provides ‘Collective Immunity’ for Hive

a significant finding... Could this explain the consistency of all the bee products to possess antimicrobial properties?... 

Beyond theAntipredatory Defence: Honey Bee Venom Function as a Component of SocialImmunity

Toxicon,2011 Sep 10

The honeybee colonies, with the relevant number of immature brood and adults, andstable, high levels of humidity and temperatures of their nests, result insuitable environments for the development of microorganisms includingpathogens.

Inresponse, honey bees evolved several adaptations to face the increased risks ofepidemic diseases. As the antimicrobial venom peptides of Apis mellifera arepresent both on the cuticle of adult bees and on the nest wax it has beenrecently suggested that these substances act as a social antiseptic device.

Since theuse of venom by honey bees in the context of social immunity needs to be moredeeply investigated, we extended the study of this potential role of the venomto different species of the genus Apis (A. mellifera, Apisdorsata, Apis ceranaand Apis andreniformis) using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry techniques.

Inparticular we investigated whether (similarly to A. mellifera) the venom isspread over the body cuticle and on the comb wax of these three Asian species.Our results confirm the idea that the venom functions are well beyond theclassical stereotype of defence against predators, and suggest that thedifferent nesting biology of these species may be related to the use of thevenom in a social immunity context.

Thepresence of antimicrobial peptides on the comb wax of the cavity-dwellingspecies and on the cuticle of workers of all the studied species represents agood example of "collective immunity" and a component of the"social immunity" respectively.

Royal Jelly Protects Kidneys, Liver from Anti-Cancer Treatments

New research from Turkish researchers confirm the protective properties of Royal Jelly against damage caused by anti-cancer therapies. Could this be new ground towards complementary alternative therapies? 

Royal Jelly Modulates Oxidative Stress and Apoptosisin Liver and Kidneys of Rats Treated with Cisplatin

Oxidative Medicine and Cell Longevity, Volume 2011(2011)

Abstract:

Cisplatin (CDDP) is one of the most active cytotoxicagents in the treatment of cancer and has adverse side effects such asnephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity. The present study was designed to determinethe effects of royal jelly (RJ) against oxidative stress caused by CDDP injuryof the kidneys and liver, by measuring tissue biochemical and antioxidantparameters and investigating apoptosis immunohistochemically.

Twenty-four Sprague Dawley rats were divided into fourgroups, group C: control group received 0.9% saline; group CDDP: injected i.p.with cisplatin (CDDP, 7 mg kg(-1) body weight i.p., single dose); group RJ:treated for 15 consecutive days by gavage with RJ (300 mg/kg/day); group RJ +CDDP: treated by gavage with RJ 15 days following a single injection of CDDP.Malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels, glutathione S-transferase(GST), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and superoxide dismutase (SOD)activities were determined in liver and kidney homogenates, and the liver andkidney were also histologically examined.

RJ elicited a significant protective effect towardsliver and kidney by decreasing the level of lipid peroxidation (MDA), elevatingthe level of GSH, and increasing the activities of GST, GSH-Px, and SOD. In theimmunohistochemical examinations were observed significantly enhanced apoptoticcell numbers and degenerative changes by cisplatin, but these histologicalchanges were lower in the liver and kidney tissues of RJ + CDDP group. Besides,treatment with RJ lead to an increase in antiapoptotic activity hepatocytes andtubular epithelium.

In conclusion, RJ may be used in combination withcisplatin in chemotherapy to improve cisplatin-induced oxidative stressparameters and apoptotic activity...

excerpt:

Recently, royal jelly (RJ) has received particularattention because of studies that have reported that it is a highly efficientantioxidant and has free radical scavenging capacity [4, 15]. Royal jelly is asecretion produced by the hypopharyngeal and mandibular glands of workerhoneybees (Apis mellifera). It contains many important compounds withbiological activity such as free amino acids, proteins, sugars, fatty acids,minerals, and vitamins [16]. So far, RJ has been demonstrated to possessseveral physiological activities in experimental animals, includingvasodilative and hypotensive activities [17], the induction of decrease inserum cholesterol levels [18], antimicrobial [19], antiallergic [20],anti-inflammatory [21], immunomodulatory [22, 23], and antioxidant properties[16]. In addition, Kanbur et al. [24] revealed the protective effect of RJagainst paracetamol-induced liver damage in mice.

Clover Honey: Strongest Antibacterial Activity against E-Coli & Staphylococcus A.

all honeys possess antibacterial and antioxidant properties; its good to note which ones are the most potent...


Antioxidative, antibrowning and antibacterial activities of sixteen floral honeys

Xin Chang, Jiehua Wang, Shaohui Yang, Shan Chen and Yingjin Song; Food & Function; 22 AUG 2011

Commonly consumed honeys from sixteen different single floral sources were analyzed for their in vitro antioxidant capacities by several methods including DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, SASR and MDA assays. 

The total polyphenol contents varied among the tested honeys and were highly correlated to their antioxidant capacity values. The antioxidant capacity of Chinese milk vetch flower honeys was significantly higher than those of other flower honeys. 

All honeys tested were active in inhibiting the browning of apple homogenate and linden honey displayed the highest inhibition rate as 85%. When the antimicrobial activity of the investigated honeys was screened using Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli), clover honey exhibited the strongest antibacterial activity as 2.2 mg mL−1 kanamycin equivalent inhibition.

More Potent than Aromatherapy - Green Clean Solution from Honey Bees

A Natural, Sanitizing Solution for Home, Office or Car!

Today many health care providers recommend using preventative measures to avoid the onset of serious health conditions. Taking prescription medication with the usual side effects is all too common and one of the reasons there's an increase in antibiotic resistance.

It's also important to keep in mind environmental influences in the home and office. Eliminating things such as mold,  bacteria and mites which also have effects on our health should also ideally be 'green' and non-toxic. Finding a natural approach to boosting the immune system and managing our health and environment is the best approach. One such product well-known in Europe and Asia is Propolis. 

A resinous substance produced by honey bees, Propolis is collected from the buds of trees, has numerous bioflavonoids with very important natural properties. Recent studies worldwide have confirmed that it is:

• anti-bacterial 


• anti-fungal


• anti-viral 


• anti-inflammatory 


• anti-tumor 


• anti-depressant


• anti-septic


• immuno-stimulant   

As Propolis is also very effective for respiratory conditions, an Italian beekeeper designed an electrical diffuser to vaporize these important bioflavonoids into the air.

In 1995, he, with the aid of researchers at the Italian Ministry of Health, conducted several studies in schools and found that propolis vaporizers reduced airborne bacteria by 71.8%. In separate studies in Milan, as a result of having diffusers in nurseries and preschools, the researchers discovered school attendance increased by an average of 32% without any allergic reactions. 

In 2003, additional studies conducted by the Chemical Laboratory of the Chamber of Commerce in Turin, researchers found that when propolis is vaporized and diffused, it reduced the presence of numerous air pollutants. They discovered a 15% reduction of benzenes and 70% reduction of hydrocarbons. For this reason, the inventor also created a vaporizer for cars, trucks, buses and vans.





As stated by noted physician, Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt, M.D.

“To treat children successfully, we have to use anti-mold strategies.  To a large degree, I don’t use medical drugs.  The propolis vaporizor is a strategy to make the house mold free.  An Italian study showed that if you vaporize propolis at 82.3 C, it creates a monoatomic vapour of propolis in the house that kills every single living microbe in the air, making homes safe for the children.  It’s a fantastic tool.  It’s inexpensive, and has transformed the lives of alot of kids.  An Italian asthma study shows over 70% asthma cures in 6 weeks with kids.  70% asthma cures!  There’s not much that matches that result. The Propolis vaporizer is a big part of my anti-mold strategy”.

Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt M.D.,  LIA Conference 2008

For more information, see the video below or visit our website.

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A Review of Honey and Microbial Infections

a peer-reviewed article from the Journal of Medicinal Food... did someone say medicine in a jar?

Honey and Microbial Infections: A Review Supporting the Use of Honey for Microbial Control

Noori S. Al-Waili, Khelod Salom, Glenn Butler and Ahmad A. Al Ghamdi. Journal of Medicinal Food, 22 Aug 2011

Honey has been used as a medicine throughout the ages and has recently been reintroduced to modern medical practice. Much of the research to date has addressed honey's antibacterial properties and its effects on wound healing. 

Laboratory studies and clinical trials have shown that honey is an effective broad-spectrum antibacterial agent. 


Honey antimicrobial action explains the external and internal uses of honey. Honey has been used to treat adult and neonatal postoperative infection, burns, necrotizing fasciitis, infected and nonhealing wounds and ulcers, boils, pilonidal sinus, venous ulcers, and diabetic foot ulcers. These effects are ascribed to honey's antibacterial action, which is due to acidity, hydrogen peroxide content, osmotic effect, nutritional and antioxidants content, stimulation of immunity, and to unidentified compounds. 


When ingested, honey also promotes healing and shows antibacterial action by decreasing prostaglandin levels, elevating nitric oxide levels, and exerting prebiotic effects. These factors play a major role in controlling inflammation and promoting microbial control and healing processes. This article reviews data supporting the effectiveness of natural honey in eradicating human pathogens and discusses the mechanism of actions.

Propolis Found to be Natural Anti-Protozoal Agent

Propolis, the natural protector extraordinaire...

Activity of Cuban Propolis Extracts on Leishmania amazonensis and Trichomonas vaginalis
Natural Product Communications, 2011 Jul;6(7):973-6

In this paper we analyzed the antiprotozoal effects of eighteen Cuban propolis extracts (brown, red and yellow type) collected in different geographic areas, using Leishmania amazonensis (as a model of intracellular protozoa) and Trichomonas vaginalis (as a model of extracellular protozoa).

All evaluated propolis extracts caused inhibitory effect on intracellular amastigotes of L. amazonensis. However, cytotoxicity on peritoneal macrophages from BALB/c mice was observed. Only five samples decreased the viability of T. vaginalis trophozoites at concentrations lower than 10 microg/mL. No correlation between the type of propolis and antiprotozoal activity was found.
Cuban propolis extracts demonstrated activity against both intracellular and extracellular protozoa model, as well as the potentialities of propolis as a natural source to obtain new antiprotozoal agents...

Diverse pharmacological activities of propolis have been explored, such as: anti-inflammatory and anti-tumoral effect [2a]. Up to now, antimicrobial properties have been widely investigated; including antibacterial [2b], antiviral [2c] and antifungal activity [2d]. Antiparasitic activities have also been reported against  Trypanosoma cruzi  [2e] and Giardia duodenalis [2f]. However, only a few studies have been carried out for the antileishmanial [3a-3c] and antitrichomonocidal activity [4a]. In Cuba, propolis has displayed therapeutic potentialities as antipsoriatic, antiinflamatory, analgesic [4b], antibacterial [4c] and antitumoral [4d]. Scarce reports can be found about its antiparasitic activity. Thus, its biological potentiality has not been explored totally...  

Leishmania are protozoa that cause leishmaniasis [5a]. The disease is endemic in 88 countries throughout Latin America, Africa, Asia and Southern Europe. Approximately 350 million people are thought to be at risk with a worldwide prevalence  of 12 million and annual incidence of 2 million new cases [5b]...