Only recently have the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) developed a honey wound dressing that proved more effective than antibiotics in wound healing.
Indigenous honey has been known for its antimicrobial properties. Honey’s medicinal properties have long been recognized and the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) identified how honey is suitable for fast healing. Honey is antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and has a low PH level. It was reported that its sugar content helps in the “granulation” of wounds. Its low moisture gives honey a longer shelf life and helps in drawing out water and pus, drying and healing the wound fast.
Three indigenous honey samples were distinguished: the pineapple honey sample from Bacolod, the coconut honey sample from Mindanao, and the dark honey found in Northern Luzon. The PNRI tested the honey dressing in rabbits and it showed equal healing capabilities as the generic Neomycin. The honey dressing also showed a potential, for some cases, of healing wounds a month earlier than commercial medicines.
The Biomedical Research Section head Zenaida de Guzman expects that the honey dressing will be commercialized by 2015.
This research initiative is testament to the potential of bridging modern medicine with traditional medicinal knowledge. Most especially in the Philippines, a number of local provinces and regions in the world have a vast knowledge on indigenous medicinal practices. People who follow these customs usually suffer the social stigma of being called the practitioners of “non-scientific” beliefs. Contrary to this, traditional medicinal knowledge can in fact be seen as experiments outside laboratories. The earlier people may not have the knowledge of proper scientific method, and may have skipped a step or two. Some may started with a hypothesis that honey can cure burns, or some may have discovered that honey is effective through consistent use. Indeed, these have not been thoroughly studied and therefore are not widely considered as valid or acceptable by most sophisticated societies. However, this doesn’t mean that it must be discarded and completely forgotten. This calls for the scientific community to harness this knowledge and marry it with the latest science and technology available. Looking and learning from the past are most often beneficial for the present. The potentials are endless.
References:
Ronda, Rainier Allan. “DOST scientists develop honey wound dressing”. The Philippine Star. 20 February 2014.
Indigenous honey has been known for its antimicrobial properties. Honey’s medicinal properties have long been recognized and the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) identified how honey is suitable for fast healing. Honey is antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and has a low PH level. It was reported that its sugar content helps in the “granulation” of wounds. Its low moisture gives honey a longer shelf life and helps in drawing out water and pus, drying and healing the wound fast.
Three indigenous honey samples were distinguished: the pineapple honey sample from Bacolod, the coconut honey sample from Mindanao, and the dark honey found in Northern Luzon. The PNRI tested the honey dressing in rabbits and it showed equal healing capabilities as the generic Neomycin. The honey dressing also showed a potential, for some cases, of healing wounds a month earlier than commercial medicines.
The Biomedical Research Section head Zenaida de Guzman expects that the honey dressing will be commercialized by 2015.
This research initiative is testament to the potential of bridging modern medicine with traditional medicinal knowledge. Most especially in the Philippines, a number of local provinces and regions in the world have a vast knowledge on indigenous medicinal practices. People who follow these customs usually suffer the social stigma of being called the practitioners of “non-scientific” beliefs. Contrary to this, traditional medicinal knowledge can in fact be seen as experiments outside laboratories. The earlier people may not have the knowledge of proper scientific method, and may have skipped a step or two. Some may started with a hypothesis that honey can cure burns, or some may have discovered that honey is effective through consistent use. Indeed, these have not been thoroughly studied and therefore are not widely considered as valid or acceptable by most sophisticated societies. However, this doesn’t mean that it must be discarded and completely forgotten. This calls for the scientific community to harness this knowledge and marry it with the latest science and technology available. Looking and learning from the past are most often beneficial for the present. The potentials are endless.
References:
Ronda, Rainier Allan. “DOST scientists develop honey wound dressing”. The Philippine Star. 20 February 2014.
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