Evidence supporting the use of: Honey
For the health condition: Bites and Stings

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Synopsis

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

Honey has a long history of traditional use for the treatment of bites and stings, particularly in folk and herbal medicine. It has been applied topically to insect bites and stings to soothe irritation, reduce inflammation, and potentially prevent infection. The rationale behind this use is largely based on honey’s well-documented antibacterial properties, which have been scientifically validated for wound healing in general. However, specific scientific studies directly examining honey’s efficacy for insect bites and stings are limited.

Some laboratory evidence suggests honey can inhibit bacterial growth and reduce inflammation, mechanisms that might theoretically be beneficial in bites and stings. Nonetheless, most evidence for honey’s use in this context remains anecdotal or rooted in tradition, with clinical trials primarily focused on its wound-healing properties rather than insect bites or stings specifically. Therefore, while honey is unlikely to be harmful when used topically (barring allergy), its use for bites and stings is best considered as part of traditional or complementary approaches rather than evidence-based mainstream treatment.

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