Honey Protects Against Effects of Radiation Therapy

Honey is hygroscopic, therapeutic and heals damaged skin tissue. While the reviewers are still looking deeper into the cause, honey is recommended by therapists worldwide...

Systematic Review and Meta-analysis on the Use of Honey to Protect from the Effects of Radiation-Induced Oral Mucositis

Advances in Skin and Wound Care, 2012 January, Volume 25

Recently, 4 separate human controlled trials reported that honey appeared to protect from the effects of radiation-induced oral mucositis formation, a complication of radiation therapy that is responsible for pain and overall reduction in quality of life.

In this systematic review and meta-analysis, the authors examined 3 of these controlled trials (n = 120) that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria to determine whether honey had protective effects against radiation-induced oral mucositis. The meta-analysis demonstrated an overall relative risk reduction of 80% in the honey treatment group compared with the control. Although favorable, the data must be approached with caution because of lack of description of the method of randomization and potential bias in all 3 of the individual studies included in the meta-analysis.

The results are promising and further studies are needed to strengthen the current evidence prior to a firm clinical recommendation being given.

Honey Prevents Oral Mucositis

Honey is an all natural humectant, keeping 'things' moist, like skin, hair, face, throat, even baked goods like cupcakes!

Effect of topical honey on limitation of radiation-induced oral mucositis: an intervention study

Int'l Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Dec 2010

The effectiveness of radiation therapy for oral cancer is often outweighed by an adverse effect mucositis, a painful inflammation and ulceration of the mucous membranes lining the mouth. 

Drawing on research indicating that honey may promote wound healing, three scientists at Manipal University in Mangalore, India, studied its anti-inflammatory properties to see whether it might prevent severe oral mucositis in patients receiving radiation therapy. 

Their single-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial compared the effects of honey with those of Lignocaine, a local anaesthetic. Only one patient in the honey group developed intolerable oral mucositis. 

Because honey is readily available, affordable, and well accepted by patients, the investigators recommend its use in patients receiving radiation therapy for oral cancer.