Daily Archives: 2 June, 2012

Honey heals

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Honey and healing:

“We started to use honey on general surgery wards and transplant units in 1984, under the direction of Professor Bernard Descottes, Chief of Surgery”, Ghislaine Pautard tells us. The professor had read of studies carried out abroad on the healing properties of honey. “At the time, we didn’t have very many effective treatments for healing”, the nurse explains. Professor Descottes suggested to his team that they do some academic research into the subject, and then observe the effects of dressings with honey on patients. and this is how it all started!

“First of all we used honey made from all different flowers that we found in the region”, Ghislaine Pautard explains. “Then, a pharmacological thesis, written at the Limoges Faculty of Medicine, on the antibacterial properties in honey showed that the nectar originating from plants like lavender and thyme had a higher level of antibacterial activity than other plants containing these properties” she adds. Reassuring results then came to light. “We saw quickly that honey had a really beneficial effect on healing”, the nurse points out.

A comparative study using blind experiments2, carried out in 1988 showed that, out of three different types of injury, the speed of healing was almost twice as fast with honey as with two other recognized medical treatments (Biogaze, Debrisan). “Between 1984 and today, more than 3000 patients have benefited from dressings with honey on our wards”, Ghislaine Pautard points out.

Buckwheat honey

Buckwheat honey

Honey and healing: In practice

“Honey is used in gastroenterology surgical units mainly for secondary healing, for wounds which are not closed up using stitches or surgical staples” Ghislaine Pautard explains. Dressings are made with honey if there are complications with healing or if the surgeon does not wish to close up the wound again – this happens sometimes during the restoration of gastrointestinal continuity.

The exact method of applying honey in dressings varies according to the different stages of healing. The process unfolds in three stages: debridement, angiogenesis and epithelialisation. “We have observed that honey accelerates healing especially during angiogenesis,” Ghislaine Pautard goes on to explain. At the beginning of the research, honey used at the University Hospital of Limoges was bought directly from select producers and was analysed in order to assess whether or not it contained bacteria.” Honey in tubes sterilised by Gamma rays are currently available and our hospital uses this type of product too” Ghislaine Pautard clarifies.


Is honey currently used in other medical areas? “Doctors and other medical professionals contact us for information or to find out about our protocol of care” she tells us. The protocol of care regarding honey is sent out to medical professionals only.

Honey and healing: Understanding the power of Honey and healing: Understanding the power of healing

Why does honey have this healing power? “We already know that honey possesses antibacterial properties connected, among other things, to its osmolarity and the production of oxygenated water. Glucose-oxydase, an enzyme secreted by the hypopharyngeal glands in honey bees, transforms glucose present in nectar into a gluconic acid, releasing oxygenated water”, expains Ghislaine Pautard. “In contrast, we still do not know what happens in the actual wound”, she continues. A research group, composed of researchers at the Faculty of Pharmacology at Limoges, the Bourges University Institute of Technology and the Limoges University Hospital, are looking into the physiology of healing aided by honey. But this research has yet to reveal the secrets behind the magical effects of honey!

Cherries may help ease osteoarthritis symptoms

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Tart cherries may help reduce chronic inflammation, especially in people suffering from debilitating joint pain and arthritis, according to new research.

In fact, researchers from Oregon Health and Science University suggest tart cherries have the “highest anti-inflammatory content of any food” and can help people with osteoarthritis manage their disease.

In a study of twenty women ages 40 to 70 with inflammatory osteoarthritis, the researchers found that drinking tart cherry juice twice daily for three weeks led to significant reductions in important inflammation markers – especially for women who had the highest inflammation levels at the start of the study.

“With millions of Americans looking for ways to naturally manage pain, it’s promising that tart cherries can help, without the possible side effects often associated with arthritis medications,” said Kerry Kuehl, M.D, Dr.PH., M.S., Oregon Health and Science University, principal study investigator.

“I’m intrigued by the potential for a real food to offer such a powerful anti-inflammatory benefit – especially for active adults,” he added.

Cherries

Cherries

Often characterized as “wear and tear” arthritis, osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. Athletes are often at a greater risk for developing the condition, given their excessive joint use that can cause a breakdown in cartilage and lead to pain and injury, according to the Arthritis Foundation.

Along with providing the fruit’s bright red color, the antioxidant compounds in tart cherries – called anthocyanins – have been specifically linked to high antioxidant capacity and reduced inflammation, at levels comparable to some well-known pain medications.


Previous research on tart cherries and osteoarthritis conducted by researchers at Baylor Research Institute found that a daily dose of tart cherries (as cherry extract) helped reduce osteoarthritis pain by more than 20 percent for the majority of men and women.

And the same compounds linked to cherries’ arthritis benefits have now shown promise for athletes and sports recovery to help relieve muscle and joint soreness.

According to Director of Sports Nutrition at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center for Sports Medicine, Leslie Bonci, MPH, RD, CSSD, LDN, who has incorporated tart cherries into the training menu of both her professional athletes and active clients as a natural and easy way to manage pain that also tastes great, “Why not eat red when there’s so much science to support the anti-inflammatory benefits of this Super Fruit? And for athletes whose palates prefer the tart-sweet flavor profile of tart cherries, it’s the optimal ingredient.”

Available every day of the year in dried, frozen and juice forms, tart cherries are a versatile ingredient to include in any training or inflammation-fighting diet.