Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 2: Applying honey to wounds
• Part 2 of 2: Treating other conditions with honey
• Warnings
• Necessities

Honey has been used as an antibiotic by various cultures around the world for thousands of years, including during World War I. Doctors and other medical professionals are also increasingly seeing the benefits of honey for wound care and other purposes. Honey can not only kill bacteria, but also helps to preserve wound fluid and also acts as a protective layer. It also soothes inflammation and promotes the healing process of wounds and other skin conditions. By having some honey locally or even from the store, you can use it as a topical antibiotic for wounds and other skin conditions such as acne.

To step

Part 1 of 2: Applying honey to wounds

1. Have the right honey on hand. You can apply all types of honey to wounds, but some types, such as manuka honey, are more effective as a topical antibiotic than others. Having a supply of honey at home ensures that you always have honey on hand when you need it the most.
   • Know that locally produced honeys are the most effective at killing bacteria. You can even buy medicinal honey. You can buy these products at health food stores, local markets, and even some supermarkets.
   • Be careful when purchasing commercially produced honey as it may not be effective at killing bacteria and healing wounds. This is because unknown substances may have been added or it is not known where the honey comes from. Read the label and buy only commercially produced honey that consists of pure, pasteurized honey.
2. Clean the wound. You will need to clean the wound and remove any superficial debris from the wound before you can apply honey. This helps to get rid of bacteria and reduces the risk of infection.
   • Wash the wound gently and thoroughly with warm water and soap. You do not need any special means to clean the wound. All types of soap work equally effectively to wash away dirt and dust. Rinse the wound until you no longer see soap residue or superficial dirt and dust.
   • Dry the wound completely with a clean towel or washcloth.
   • Do not remove debris that is deeply embedded in the wound, as this can spread bacteria and increase the risk of infection. Instead, see your doctor to have this debris removed.
3. Apply a dressing with honey. When your wound is clean and dry, you are ready to apply the honey. Spread a layer of honey on a bandage and apply the bandage to the wound to help protect it and kill bacteria.
   • Drip the honey onto one side of a clean bandage, gauze or cloth. Then put the side with honey on it against the wound. Make sure the dressing covers an area larger than the wound to kill bacteria in the surrounding tissue. Do not push the bandage onto the wound. Instead, gently press or dab it on the wound to allow the honey to touch your skin.
   • Tape the bandage with medical tape. You can also use duct tape if you don't have anything else around the house.
4. Pour honey on the wound. You can also pour the honey directly onto the wound if you wish. This method more effectively ensures that the honey comes into contact with the wound.
   • Spread or drip a thin layer of honey on the wound using a clean finger, cotton swab or cloth. If you wish, you can measure out 15 to 30 ml of honey and pour that amount directly on the wound. Make sure to also spread the honey outside the edges of the wound to kill the bacteria in the surrounding tissue as well. Cover the wound with a clean bandage and tape the dressing with medical tape or even duct tape.
5. Repeat the process. In most cases, you will need to apply new honey to the wound every 12 to 48 hours, depending on how severe the wound is and how quickly it heals. Clean the wound and apply the honey as often as needed until the wound heals. Make sure to seek advice from your doctor if the wound does not heal or shows signs of infection, such as redness, warmth, tenderness, pus, or red streaks.
   • Check the wound at least every two days to make sure it is not infected. Make sure your hands are clean and consider putting a clean bandage on the wound each time you check the wound.

Part 2 of 2: Treating other conditions with honey

1. Soothe burns with honey. If you have been burned or sunburned in an accident, honey can soothe the burn and speed up the healing process. For burns, it is more effective to apply the honey to a bandage or cloth and then put the bandage on the burn itself. Don't forget to tape the dressing with medical tape or duct tape and check the wound regularly.
2. Get rid of acne. Honey naturally moisturizes the skin and can kill the bacteria that cause acne. Spreading a thin layer of honey on your skin or preparing a mask can treat and prevent acne and keep your skin looking radiant.
   • Spread a layer of warm honey on your face. Leave the honey on for 10 to 15 minutes and then rinse the honey off your face with lukewarm water.
   • Mix a tablespoon of honey with a teaspoon of baking soda. Gently rub this mixture onto your skin to gently exfoliate and moisturize your skin. A mixture of two teaspoons of honey and a teaspoon of fresh lemon can also help kill the bacteria that cause acne.
3. Reduce skin lumps. Some people develop skin lumps, or nodules. These are accumulations of tissue that form on different parts of the body. If you have these lumps or get them quickly, applying a honey mask can help dissolve them.
   • Prepare a honey mask to help shrink nodules. Mix a teaspoon of honey with one of the following ingredients: lemon juice, avocado, coconut oil, egg white or yogurt.
   • Leave the mask on for a few minutes and then rinse it off your face with warm water.
4. Kill fungal infections. Honey can also be effective to kill fungal skin infections. You can apply the honey directly to the affected area or put some honey on a bandage and apply it to the infection. Try honey to treat the following fungal infections:
   • Ringworm, also called tinea
   • Swimmers' eczema
   • Seborrheic Eczema
5. Reduce dandruff. There is also evidence that honey can reduce dandruff and its chronic counterpart, seborrheic dermatitis. Consider applying honey to dandruff areas regularly to reduce your dandruff and keep it from getting worse.
   • Prepare a mixture of 90% honey and 10% water and spread it on areas with dandruff for two to three minutes. Leave the mixture on for three hours and then rinse it off with warm water. Repeat this process daily for two weeks or until you see results.
   • Keep applying the remedy once a week to prevent the dandruff from coming back.
6. Soothe itching. Rashes from allergies, psoriasis and eczema can cause itchy skin, or pruritus. This can cause your skin to hurt and become irritated. This can be worse at night. However, applying honey to the affected areas can help relieve itching and prevent infections in the affected areas.
   • Apply a thin layer of honey to your itchy skin. You can cover the area or just leave it as it is. However, it is best to cover the area when wearing clothes or going to sleep so that the area does not stick to the fabric.

Warnings

• Make sure to see a doctor or medical professional if you have a serious wound or are unsure about the condition.

Necessities

• Honey
• Bandage
• Medical tape or duct tape
• Dry / wet soft cloth