More information is available on B Naturals website:
www.bnaturals.com.au
Why B Naturals - Medicated Honey
The therapeutic qualities of both honey and Sandalwood oil have been known and used for thousands of years. The ancient Greeks, Romans, Chinese and Egyptians used honey to heal wounds1 and also used Sandalwood oil in medicine.
Antibacterial and Anti-inflammatory Properties of Honey and Sandalwood oil
It is now well known and documented that certain varieties of honey have potent antibacterial activity and is very effective in clearing infection in wounds and protecting wounds from becoming infected2. Honey also has an anti-inflammatory action, by reducing the swelling around wounds, which can improve circulation, reduce pain and improves the healing process3.
B-Naturals‘ uses honey from Western Australia’s unique Jarrah tree in the state’s southwest, which has naturally high antibacterial activity4. Jarrah honey has significantly higher activity levels than Manuka honey from New Zealand, which is also strongly antibacterial4. The antibacterial activity of honey primarily comes from the presence of hydrogen peroxide generated by an enzymatic activity called glucose oxidase4.
The secondary antibacterial activity is thought to be via the osmotic effect, as honey is a saturated solution of sugars and has osmotic, or water withdrawing, properties. Water molecules strongly react with the sugars in honey leaving little water available for microorganisms. The bacteria that cause infection are unable to survive in honey because they become dehydrated5.
Documented studies on the antibacterial properties of Sandalwood oil from Australian Santalum spicatum, confirms that this oil has strong inhibitory properties against Staphylococcus aureus6. The effectiveness of Australian Sandalwood oil has been found to be equally efficacious and in some instances superior to the Indian Sandalwood oil in pharmacology7.
Australian Sandalwood oil also demonstrates very strong antimicrobial efficacy and is 25 times greater than Tea Tree oil in relation to the bacteriostatic effect against the Staphylococcus aureus organism8. Staphylococcus aureus is the most common cause of minor wound infections.
Australian Sandalwood oil also has high anti-inflammatory properties attributed to the ∝-bisabolol and β-santalene factors, which are counter-inflammatory agents found in high proportions in Australian Santalum spicatum.
Since both Sandalwood oil and honey demonstrate antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity the combination of the two agents provides a potent topical application as a preventative and a treatment for most wounds. Unlike conventional antibiotics, these products, being constituted of a large number of molecules with diverse modes of biological action, are very unlikely to generate genetic mutation to become resistant in target organisms.
B Naturals‘ - Medicated Honey can be used for a wide variety of skin problems.
- All types of general wounds, burns, cuts and abrasions.
How to Use B Naturals - Medicated Honey
The amount of Medicated Honey required will depend on the nature and size of the wound. It is important to seek medical advice if you have any concern about the severity of the wound or should improvement in the wound condition not occur within a reasonable period of time. The frequency of dressing changes to the wound will depend on wound seepage and/or discomfort. Depending on the seriousness of wound, dressings should be changed daily.
- Apply Medicated Honey to wound and then dress with appropriate bandage or dressing.
- For minor applications, spread a small amount of Medicated Honey onto a gauze or bandaid before applying to wound.
Is B Naturals‘ - Medicated Honey Safe to Use?
Historically, both honey and Sandalwood oil have been used independently as medicine in varied cultures dating back thousands of years and without any adverse reputation. These two complementary agents are all natural, aesthetically pleasing and therapeutically potent. Both honey and Sandalwood oil are non-toxic9 and will not induce adverse reactions, or react with other medicinal agents.
For your protection B Naturals‘ Medicated Honey has been listed with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) of Australia. Also, to remove any possible risk, Medicated Honey has been sterilised by gamma-irradiation, as with other surgical dressings, without loss to its antibacterial activity10.
References
- Zumla A and Lulat A (1989) Honey – a remedy rediscovered. Journal of Royal Society of Medicine 82: 384-385.
- Allen KL, Hutchinson G and Molan PC (2000) The Potential for using Honey to Treat Wounds Infected with MRSA and VRE. First World Wound Healing Congress, 10-13 September 2000, Melbourne, Australia.
- Molan PC (2001b) Why honey is effective as a medicine. 2. The scientific explanation of its effects. Bee World 82(1): 22-40.
- Manning R (2002) Jarrah Forest Honey: Potential Healing Properties.
- Molan PC (1992a) The antibacterial activity of honey. 1. The nature of the antibacterial activity. Bee World 73(1): 5-28.
- Beylier (Perfumer Et Flavorist, April/May (1979), Vol. 4, 23-5.)
- AR Penfold F.A.C.I., F.C.S (1937) Australian J. Pharm. 18, 154.
- Beylier MF and Givaudan SA (1979) Bacteriostatic activity of some Australian Essential oils.
- Kaaber K (2000) Australian Sandalwood Oil, Acute Oral Toxicity and Acute Dermal Toxicity, Scantox, Denmark.
- Molan PC and Allen KL (1996) The effect of gamma-irradiation on the antibacterial activity of honey. J. Pharm. Pharmacol. 48: 1206-1209.