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There are several reasons why honey is effective;

.Its acidity and the fact that it drains water from wounds help to deprive bacteria of an ideal environment in which they can multiply.

.When honey comes into contact with fluid from a wound, it releases small quantities of bacteria-killing hydrogen peroxide.

The viscosity of honey provides a protective barrier to prevent wounds from becoming infected.

.Honey stimulates the re-growth of tissue involved in the healing process. It stimulates the formation of new blood capillaries and the growth of fibroblasts that replace the connective tissue of the deeper layer of the skin and produce the collagen fibres that give strength to the repair.

.Honey has an anti-inflammatory action, which reduces the swelling around a wound. This improves circulation and thus hastens the healing process. It also reduces pain. The amount of fluid exuding from wounds is also decreased by the anti-inflammatory action.The high sugar content of honey draws lymph out of a wound, which lifts dirt out of the wound bed.

The antibacterial properties of honey depend on the kind of nectar, or plant pollen, it is made from. It is important to note that pesticides can adversely affect honey, so too, exposure to light, and high temperatures. So the honey you buy at the grocery or supermarket may not be effective in killing bacteria. Unpasteurised honey produced from native bees -  natural, raw honey is best, this can be purchased from Health Shops or some equine Herbalists that specialises in this product.

In addition to antibacterial properties, honey keeps the skin surface moist and supple and because it is so easy to wash off, honey does not stick to the underlying wound tissues, so there is no tearing away of newly formed tissue. Ugly scabs and scars are less likely to occur when cuts and burns are treated with honey.

When using Honey as a dressing for wounds it is recommended to apply it in liquid form and then cover the wound with gauze, apply the bandage pad, then bandage. The application of honey and re-bandaging should be done at least once a day.

With the increase interest now been shown in the use of alternative therapies and as the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria spreads, honey researchers feel that the therapeutic potential of honey is grossly underutilized. It is widely available in most communities and although the mechanism of action of several of its properties remains obscure and needs further investigation, the time has now come for conventional medicine to atleast look at this traditional remedy.