杏吧原创

TRADITIONAL remedies tend to get a rough ride from doctors. Eye of toad and
its ilk don鈥檛 sit well with medicines that have passed rigorous, science-based
tests to show that they are more helpful than harmful. Makers of licensed drugs
can give chapter and verse on every ingredient in their medicines. The same is
not always true for alternative therapies.

So the idea that honey could find its way into surgeries and hospitals is
likely to be greeted with much mirth and cynicism. But hold on. We鈥檙e not
talking about the sticky liquid that physicians of yore claimed had healing
powers. This honey has only been made since the 19th century, when honeybees
were introduced to the Antipodes.

In New Zealand, honey from manuka trees has been found to contain an
antibacterial more potent than anything found in honey before. It can even knock
out drug-resistant Staphylococcus superbugs that cause so much grief in
our disinfected hospitals. And honey from an Australian tree is a great promoter
of tissue growth
(see p 32).

Researchers now face some hard work. They must find the active ingredients,
be able to control the dose of these compounds, and then conduct trials to
convince licensing authorities that their honey is as valuable as it now
seems.

Without these steps, healing by honey will remain a folk remedy. Sweet talk
isn鈥檛 enough.