Honey has long been used as a wound dressing; its s proponents tout it as a great remedy for a variety of wounds.  Generally, clinicians have considered honey to be “folk medicine.”  A commercially prepared dressing that is a combination honey-alginate has renewed curiosity about whether honey offers unique benefits to wound healing. Here, I will summarize the effects of honey in wounds. 
·         Honey is composed of glucose, fructose, water, and amino acids.
·         Inhibine, an enzyme that breaks down into both a mild antimicrobial and a mild antibiotic is present in honey. Light and heat destroy inhibine, but its destruction leads to the formation of another biochemical with antimicrobial characteristics.
·         Honey contains several vitamins and minerals.
·         Honey forms a film over the wound base that may have protective benefits. 
 
More clinical study is needed to answer important questions including: If honey is useful, is processed or unprocessed better?  Are pesticides carried into honey? Is honey safe for people with allergies to bees, honey, or pollens?  Is there benefit to applying honey that outweighs the mess?  Want to know more?  Most wound texts include information about honey.  There are several interesting references in Dian Krasner etal Chronic Wound Care: A Sourcebook for Healthcare Professionals, 4th ed.  As we emphasize in video 5, ask a lot of questins when evaluating new products.