Heal Stomach Ulcers with Honey

As the concerns for antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria are increasing, we naturally turn to the alternative choices for dealing with common bacteria without the use of antibiotics.  A common recommendation that I have given my patients with stomach ulcers is the use of Manuka honey to deal with H. pylori, the common bacteria associated with stomach ulcers. 

A treatment recently approved by the FDA for skin infections and diabetic ulcers, MediHoney is a wound dressing made of absorbent material saturated with manuka honey.  This treatment reminded me about treating stomach ulcers with manuka honey.  Honey had been used as a treatment for wounds and burns in ancient Egypt more than 4000 years ago.  It is now making a comeback as your doctors and scientists look for alternatives to antibiotics for common difficult to heal wounds and infections.  The MediHoney dressings are super absorbent and can last for up to a week which makes it easy for self-care.  Manuka honey has been effective in wound healing where nothing else has worked.  It has been found to be able to kill the toughest bacteria even at 1/10th strength.  It is helpful to a weak immune system and for those dealing with infections.

As a naturopathic therapy, we have been recommending the use of Manuka honey for years, taken on an empty stomach frequently throughout the day in addition to other stomach healing nutrients to naturally and easily heal stomach ulcers.  Manuka honey is derived from the manuka (Leptospermum plant) tree in Australia and New Zealand.  It is can also be used for sore throats, coughs (see our cough syrup recipe), diarrhea, mouth ulcers and burns.  Not all honey is created equal.  Though other honeys have mild antibiotic effects, the manuka honey is particularly potent in its antibiotic effects.  Manuka honey, which can usually be found at your local Whole Foods Market or natural food store is the only one that has so far shown high antibacterial activity. 

Comments

[David hogard]

Honey is known as a compound made up of fructose sugar molecules linked together in long chains -- fructooligosaccharide (FOS), which can also be in other plants such as Jerusalem artichoke tubers, onions, leeks, barley, rye, oats. FOS are also available as a nutritional supplement and the food industry is jumping on the band wagon by adding FOS such as honey to yoghurts, and combining milk and honey to form healthy food.

http://healthfreak2.wordpress.com/2009/11/13/honey-for-good-health/