Originally published July 15 2005
Honey a naturally effective treatment for diabetic foot ulcers, study shows
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
A study in the Journal of Family Practice reports that foot ulcers suffered by a 79-year-old diabetic man were healed through the use of topical honey treatment, suggesting honey could be effective in curing diabetic ulcers and reducing the number of amputations resulting from them.
Honey is one of the oldest medicines.
Sumerian tablets and Egyptian papyri mention its healing properties.
Hippocrates - the father or medicine - wrote that honey "cleans sores and ulcers."
The antibacterial properties of honey have been proved in studies that report the healing of infected wounds, burns and ulcers that were not responding to antibiotic treatment.
Can honey really help to heal ulcers in people with diabetes?
A recent study published in the Journal of Family Practice reports the case of a 79-year-old man with type 2 diabetes who developed foot ulcers.
After 14 months of care costing $390,000---a cost that included 5 hospitalizations and 4 surgeries---the ulcers measured 8 x 5 cm and 3 x 3 cm and were resistant to the effect of the best antibiotics.
During this time the patient lost 2 toes but refused below-the-knee amputation, despite being informed by 2 different surgical teams that without it he would likely die.
The patient was eventually discharged to his home at his request.
He lost a third toe before consenting to a trial of topical honey.
Once-daily, thick applications of ordinary honey purchased at a supermarket were smeared on gauze and placed on the wounds, which were then wrapped.
Since the patient's family purchased and applied the honey, the cost of this therapy was merely that of the dressings.
Dressing changes were painless and the serum glucose remained in excellent control.
New tissue appeared within 2 weeks; in 6 to 12 months the ulcers were completely healed and two years later, the ulcers have not recurred; the patient ambulates with a walker and reports improved quality-of-life.
Researchers state that as rates of diabetes increase, it is important to identify effective strategies to reduce amputation rates, both to improve quality of life and to decrease cost.
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