Evidence supporting the use of: Bee products
For the health condition: Abscesses

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Bee products, such as honey and propolis, have been traditionally used in various cultures to support the healing of abscesses and other skin infections. Historical texts and folk medicine practices describe the topical application of honey as a remedy for infected wounds, boils, and abscesses due to its reputed antimicrobial and wound-healing properties. The use of honey is well-documented in Ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Ayurvedic medicine for treating suppurative skin conditions. Propolis, a resinous substance collected by bees, has also been applied to skin infections in traditional medicine systems, particularly in Eastern Europe and South America.

While modern scientific studies have confirmed some antibacterial properties of honey—particularly Manuka honey—most of the evidence supporting bee products in abscess treatment is anecdotal or derived from historical use rather than contemporary clinical trials. The mechanism is thought to involve the hyperosmolarity of honey, its low pH, and the presence of hydrogen peroxide and other bioactive compounds, which can inhibit bacterial growth. However, there is limited high-quality clinical evidence specifically addressing the efficacy of bee products for abscesses as opposed to general wound care. Thus, while the traditional use is robust and some laboratory data support antimicrobial action, rigorous clinical validation for abscess treatment is lacking.

More about bee products
More about Abscesses

Other ingredients used for Abscesses

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Agave
Alchornea
Alkanet
Alkanna
Allicin
Aloe vera
Alstonia scholaris
amber
American Liverleaf
Amor seco
Ampelopsis
anamu
Andrographis
Antirrhinum majus
Aquilegia formosa
Aquilegia viridiflora
Ardisia
Arisaema
arnica
Asclepias cordifolia
ash
assam indigo
Asteraceae
aucubin
bai ji
balsam
banyan
Baphicacanthus cusia
Barleria
Bassia scoparia
bayberry
bee products
bee propolis
bentonite
berberine
bergamot
Bidens pilosa
bindweed
black nightshade
black root
black walnut
black-eyed Susan
blackboard tree
Bletilla
bloodroot
Boerhavia diffusa
Bombax
borassus palm
boxthorne
boxwood
Brazilian peppertree
bromelain
bur-reed
burdock
Butea monosperma
Calendula
California pitcher plant
Calotropis gigantea
capillary artemisia
carrapichinho
Casearia sylvestris
castor oil
catlaw buttercup
Ceanothus integerrimus
Cedrus libani
celandine
Centipeda
chamomile
Chinese raisintree
Chiococca alba
chrysophanics
cinquefoil
Clerodendrum indicum
Clerodendrum indicum
cocklebur
coconut
colloidal silver
copaiba oil
cowage seed
cowherb
croton seeds
curcumin
Cymbidium goeringii
Cynanchum
Cynodon dactylon
Cynoglossum grande
Davilla rugosa
Didymocarpus
divi-divi
dragon\'s blood
Echinacea
echinacea purpurea
elephant vine
elephant\'s head
Erigeron
Erodium cicutarium
eucalyptus
Euphorbia
Eupolyphaga sinensis
European Elder
European five-finger grass
Ficus simplicissima
figwort
Flueggea suffruticosa
Fomes fomentarius
gallotannin
garlic
garlic bulb
genipap
geranium
giant blazingstar
ginger
Gnaphalium
golden shower tree
goldenseal
green tea
Guazuma ulmifolia
Gugambilla
Gumweed
heal-all
Hedyotis
Helicteres isora
Hellebore
henna
Herb Robert
honey
hound\'s tongue
Houttuynia
Huang hua
Hyaluronidase
Immortelle
Indian fagonia
indigo leaves
Isatis
Jessica\'s sticktight
Kachnar
Kalanchoe pinnatum
Kamala
Kigelia africana
Kokilaksha
lac resin
lacquertree
Laggera pterodonta
Lantana camara
lavender
Lebbek
Lesser speargrass
Levant cotton
Lewis's monkey flower
licorice root
little ironweed
lodhtree
Lophira lanceolata
luffa
Macaranga indica
magnesium
Mahonia
mallow
Malva sylvestris
marigold
Marking Nut Tree
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Matico
melaleuca alternifolia
Microcos
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nut grass
Oak
Oldenlandia diffusa
oregano
Oxystelma
paederia foetida
papaya
Paris polyphylla
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paw paw
Pellitory
Pentatropis capensis
Petiveria
Peucedanum
Physalis angulata
Pink Root
Plantago
plantain
Plectranthus amboinicus
Pluchea
Plumbago zeylanica
Pokeweed
privet
Propolis
protein
punarnava
purple Tephrosia
red alder
red root
red spiderling
resin
Rhus glabra
Rubia yunnanensis
Sandy Everlasting
Sangre de Grado
Sanguisorba
Sanicle
Sarcandra glabra
Sargentodoxa
scrophularia root
Self-Heal
Serrapeptase
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sheep's sorrel
shen-chu
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Thuja
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Viola
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vitamin C
Waltheria ovata
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Whiteweed
Witch Hazel
xanthium (cockleburs)
Yerba Mansa
Zingiberene

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