Honey makes a delicious sweetener, but you may not know it also doubles as a medicine to protect your body from infection. Honey—especially raw honey—is a known antimicrobial. Antimicrobials are important for your body because they fight microbes, which are known to cause viral infections such as influenza and the measles. Scientists have even found evidence that links microbes to heart disease and some forms of cancer. Read more about how you can benefit from the antimicrobial properties of honey.
Antibiotic
Honey contains antibiotics, which are a type of antimicrobial. Honey’s antibiotic qualities can treat stomach ulcers and fight pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus, which leads to staph infections.
Antibacterial
Honey is also an antibacterial, a type of antibiotic that fights bacteria. Honey’s antibacterial properties fight dangerous bacteria such as MRSA. Honey also contains hydrogen peroxide, so it can also heal wounds by weakening the bacteria on them and keeping them clean.
Antiviral
Another one of the antimicrobial properties of honey is that it’s also an antiviral. Honey is actually just as effective as antiviral creams when it comes to fighting cold sores. Studies also show that it kills influenza viruses, the varicella-zoster virus (chickenpox), and the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which attacks the lungs and can even be deadly to children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals.
Antifungal
Honey is also an antifungal. You can use it as a fungicide around the house to control fungal damage on plants and to treat rust, mildew, mold, and blights. Honey can also treat skin conditions such as acne and fight bodily fungal infections such as Candida, eczema, psoriasis, athlete’s foot, and ringworm.
Raw honey is unprocessed and thus more effective in fighting bacteria, pathogens, and other microbes in your body. Try Crystal’s raw and unfiltered honey for the best antimicrobial properties.