NICE has announced that GPs should recommend honey or other herbal remedies for coughs. Active honey has been used therapeutically throughout history in all ancient civilisations to treat wounds. Honey as a treatment for infection has recently been rediscovered by the medical profession. With the emergence of Superbugs resistant to many modern antibiotics, alternative ways of dealing with pathogens are being investigated and honey is widely recognised for its infection-fighting properties.
Honey contains Hydrogen Peroxide and Active honeys produce microbe-killing levels of hydrogen peroxide. This occurs when Glucose Oxidase, the enzyme incorporated into honey by bees, reacts with Glucose and Oxygen molecules in water. The make-up of honey makes it a hostile environment for bacteria because it is mildly acidic with high Glucose and Fructose levels. Hydrogen Peroxide is also toxic to bacterial cells.
This is why active honey can help to inhibit bacterial growth, reduce infection and enhance healing. So next time you feel a tickle in the back of your throat, why not try a spoonful of Necta & Hive Active honey in warm water with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and a touch of grated ginger? Or even a spoonful straight from the jar to soothe a sore throat and help upper respiratory tract infections.
