Honey 'could help fight cancer'

Honey and royal jelly could become part of the arsenal of weapons against cancer, researchers say.

A team from the University of Zagreb, in Croatia, found a range of honey-bee products stopped tumours growing or spreading in tests on mice.

Writing in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, they say human cancer sufferers may also see benefits.

But they said the products should be considered for use along with, not instead of, chemotherapy treatment.

Tumour growth

The researchers looked at the potential benefits of bee venom and honey.

They also examined compounds found in propolis, or bee glue, a resin-like substance which is used in the hive to varnish over rubbish in the hive - a bit like brushing the dirt under the carpet.

There is no doubt that honey has beneficial properties and can be very good for you

Dr Emma Croager, Cancer Research UK

And they also looked at royal jelly, produced by the hypopharyngeal glands in the head of the worker bee - used as food for young larvae,

Tumours were generated in the mice via the injection of cancer cells, and each bee product was given to different mice before, at the same time, or afterwards.

It was found that giving honey orally appeared to inhibit the development of tumours when it was given before the injection of cancer cells - although if given afterwards, it appeared to fuel the development of secondary cancers.

Injecting the mice with royal jelly at the same time as they were injected with tumour cells significantly reduced the spread of the cancer.

And injecting bee venom into the tumour appeared to lead to it shrinking.

When propolis or caffeic acid, a chemical found in propolis, were injected, researchers saw significantly reduced subcutaneous tumour growth and an increase in the survival time of mice.

The researchers say it is not yet clear how bee products affect cancer cells.

But they suggest they may cause apoptosis (cell suicide) or have direct effects which are toxic to the cells, or which help the immune system fight the development of tumours.

The research team, led by Dr Nada Orsolic, said their study indicated honey-bee products could be a useful tool in the control of tumour growth in research.

They added: "The intake of honey-bee products may be advantageous with respect to cancer and metastasis [secondary cancers] prevention.

"Further animal and clinical research utilising these substances is suggested."

Dr Emma Croager, a science information officer at Cancer Research UK, said: "There is no doubt that honey has beneficial properties and can be very good for you.

"However, this work is preliminary and careful large-scale studies in people are needed to confirm if eating honey can protect us from cancer."
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Honey for the Children (source: Dr. Muhammed Salim Khan)

Honey being a natural, pre-digested food when given is immediately assimilated into children's blood stream, providing a host of vitamins, minerals and energy. The beauty of honey is that it is natural, safe, delicious to use and available all the year round. Honey is so safe that it can be used from the moment of birth onward for infants as a food and medicine. There are hundreds of studies all over the world confirming the usefulness of honey as a food and medicine for infants and children.




General Weakness in Children - Honey as Children's Tonic


As a practising physician for the last fifteen years, the most common conditions I get consulted for by parents is general weakness, lack of appetite and anaemia. Usually the parents have tried all sorts of vitamins and tonics from their doctors without any real lasting improvement. One teaspoon of honey diluted in water two or three times before or after meals works wonders, improving appetite, weight, complexion and energy. Some children prefer to use one teaspoonful of pure honey mixed in warm milk at night. Anaemic children respond well to honey in milk within a few weeks. For school children honey helps to improve their mental alertness and school performance. For this purpose honey can be used instead of jam on toast at breakfast time by children.

Bed-Wetting
Bed-wetting is a very common condition in many young children. Families and parents can experience anxiety and frustration due to this and it can also undermine a child's self-confidence. Many parents receive the advice from their doctors that the child will grow out of this situation. No doubt most children do grow out of this, however one or two teaspoons of honey before going to bed helps to clear bed-wetting. No liquids should be given to children a few hours before a child's bed time.


Constipation
Constipation is a very common problem in infants and children, particularly those who have not been breast fed. Honey is a mild and gentle laxative which helps to prevent and get rid of constipation.


Coughs and Colds
Children can catch cold very quickly. In winter, colds and coughs are very common and if not treated properly can lead to serious lung diseases. In England asthma is an increasing epidemic, particularly amongst school children.


For these conditions one teaspoonful of honey may be given in a glass of warm water three times a day. When there is a cough or fever then a quarter teaspoon of fresh lime or lemon juice can be mixed with one teaspoon of honey in hot water and given four times a day. Alternatively green tea (Sabzchi) with a small amount of liquorish (multhi) mixed with one teaspoon of honey will help to clear most colds and coughs.


Diarrhoea and Stomach Upsets
Diarrhoea is the opposite of constipation, and is more frequent in summer. A teaspoon of honey in eight ounces of Barley Water will help stop most cases of diarrhoea.





Sleep Problems
Infants and children can suffer with difficulty in sleeping. One teaspoon of honey in warm milk at night or in the evening is a natural sedative that promotes sleep in children.


Teething Troubles
When children are teething, these can be difficult times. Children may become irritable, have diarrhoea etc. A small amount of salt and honey mixed and massaged onto the gums helps the process of teething.


Accidents, Cuts and Burns
Serious accidents and burns need professional attention. However most parents can use honey to apply externally as an effective and safe dressing on minor burns, bruises and cuts that happen in most homes. Honey is a natural antiseptic.





Dr. Muhammad Salim Khan M.D.(M.A.),D.O. born in the north west frontier region of Pakistan, has international authority on Islaamic medicine and alternative medicine. He is founder-director of the Mohsin Institute - Leicester, an organisation devoted to practice, teaching and research on alternative medicine.

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Honey the antibiotic of the future

In the Qur'an, Allah says that in paradise will be "rivers of honey pure."

"Then to eat of all the produce (of the earth), and find with skill the spacious paths of its Lord: there issues from within their bodies a drink of varying colors, wherein is healing for men: verily in this is a Sign for those who give thought"(16:69).




Although honey's healing benefits were known to Muslims more than a thousand years ago, scientists are just now beginning to research it's amazing powers. Indeed, Peter Molan, biochemist at the University of Waikato (New Zealand) has - for the past 17 years - researched into the healing properties of honey and has shown scientifically that all honeys have varying degrees of such properties (Molan, p.1). Honey contains many minerals and vitamins beneficial to man. However, one of the most important properties seems to be its antibiotic action.

Each drop of honey contains many minerals ( potassium, sodium, phosphate, copper, iron, calcium, manganese ), enzymes, trace elements, vitamins (A, B1, B2, B3, C, D, K), as well as beta-carotene . Honey also contains glucose, fructose and saccharine (70%) and is very preservative just by itself (billybee.com). Of course honey from a supermarket, which has been heated and filtered, may not be as therapeutic as one taken directly from the comb (Ifas, p.4).

Molan's favorite story about honey makes reference to a 20-year-old wound in a British woman. Bacteria had been festering in an abscess in her armpit for years, resisting all the antibiotics she had taken. Nothing seemed to help her and she could barely use her arm. In August 1999, she heard about honey's healing effects and convinced her doctors to put some in her dressing. At that point they were willing to try anything and were not very hopeful that anything would work. However, they were quite surprised when one month later the wound finally healed and the woman could use her arm again.




Since then, honeys have been tested on the different species of bacteria responsible for wound infection (Molan, p.2). The State Medical Society of Wisconsin announced," It is only a matter of time before antibiotics lose their effectiveness because their overuse creates ever-stronger germs."

Thus, we may have to go back to the to the old fashioned remedy. However, "old fashioned", is not as bad as it sounds. Effectively, the potency of honey was found to be superior to all types of antibiotics. Two years ago, Australia approved honey as a medicine and began selling it in pharmacies (Whichman, p.1).

Honey is now known for its antibiotic, antioxidant and antiviral capabilities. In fact, honey contains an enzyme that produces hydrogen peroxide, which is believed to be the main reason for its anti-microbial activity. If one wants to use it as a dressing, the best way is to use sterilized honey. However, the only way to sterilize honey without destroying its antibacterial agents is through gamma-irradiations. Honey is also used for sore throats, colds, heartburn, fever blisters, cuts, acne, skin disorders, ulcers, stomach inflammations and cataracts… and its flavor excites the appetite (The National Honey Board).

The advantage of the honey used externally is that during the healing process the re-growth of the sick part of the body is enhanced by honey's moisturizing properties. Molan explains the mechanism of this process:

1. The nectar, being made of glucose and fructose, is very attracted by water. When put on a wound, it absorbs water and body fluids, taking and destroying bacteria and inhibiting their growth too.

2. Raw honey contains glucose oxidase, an enzyme that produces a mild antiseptic when mixed with a bit of water. This enzyme is destroyed by heat and pasteurization. That is why it cannot be found in commercial honeys (Molan, p.3)

Of course raw, unprocessed honey, which is usually darker, has the most medicinal and nutritional value and is even the most flavorful. Particularly active, Manuka Honey from New Zealand has all the healing antibacterial properties of other honeys, with some additional components. "All honey is not created equal, however certain types such as "active" Manuka from New Zealand and perhaps Honeydew from Central Europe are more effective for infections," says Molan (Molan, p.2).

While the healing properties of honey may be news to modern science, Prophet Mohammad (saws) commented on its value 1400 years ago. Indeed, once a man came to the Prophet and said, "My brother has got loose motions." The Prophet said to him, "Let him drink honey (Bukhari)." Furthermore, the work of Molan has provided substantial evidence that honey holds promise in the treatment of peptic ulcers and upper gastroenteritis disorders. Despite its high acid concentration, the nectar is very digestible and tones the kidneys.




The Prophet (saws) also said, "If there is any healing in your medicines, then it is in cupping, a gulp of honey or branding with fire (cauterization) that suits the ailment, but I don't like to be (cauterized) branded with fire." Indeed, honey also nourishes, regulates and purifies blood circulation. Its fructose is the only natural inert sugar and it goes straight into the blood, nourishing nerves and providing the brain with extra energy.

In case of first-degree burns, "the raw wild flower honey formed a flexible protective barrier which prevents infections, absorbs pus and reduced pain, irritation and odor" writes Leigh Broadhurst (Healthwellexchange.com). A Romanian doctor stated that he tried honey on cataract patients, and 2002 of his 2094 patients recovered completely (Islamweb.net).

Another function has been found for honey too: an Oklahoma allergist has said that raw honey is an excellent treatment for 90% of all allergies. A person who is suffering from an allergy to a certain plant should eat honey made from this plant (Reallyrawhoney.com).

Honey can also help heal Tinea, for it has anti-fungal activities; but not many species of fungi have been tested. Mycoses are quite difficult to treat, for they need both anti-fungal and antibacterial treatment. However, Manuka honey showed that its hydrogen peroxide factors inhibit the growth of fungi. Although, the concentration of honey needed to treat Mycoses is higher than that needed to treat bacteria (Molan, p.3).

However, paradoxical, sweet honey can also protect the teeth. Its anti-microbial activity has been tested on several species of dental plaque bacteria. A study shows that honey has been proven to sharply reduce acid production, thus killing the bacteria responsible for dental caries. Researchers believe that it also makes a difference in fighting inflammatory infections of the gums (Cbshealthwatch.com).




One Companion of the Prophet reported, "In our holy battles, we used to get honey (Bukhari)." According to what we now know, this was a logical choice for travelers and soldiers, as honey is a supersaturated sugar and is easy to digest because of the monosaccharides; it is also a superior antibiotic. The natural carbohydrates contained within honey, when combined with proteins, help maintain a good glycaemia - which is important for recovering after a hard-days efforts. By maintaining a good glucose level, honey also maintains a good insulin level and helps people to avoid hypoglycemia. Some studies showed that this nectar could thus boost endurance performance in athletes (Cbshealthwatch.com).

However, although honey is a very safe and natural remedy, it should not be given to infants under one year-old. Honey is a source of bacteria spores that product a toxin which can cause infant botulism, even though it is rare (a risk of botulism exists in the ingestion of any uncooked food!). Botulism is a rare disease that affects the nervous system and can lead to palsy. Nevertheless, it can still be use as a dressing for burns and cuts (Manukahoneyusa.com).

"And your Lord taught the honey bee…" (16:68). This verse explains the excessive production of the bees. They have been taught to produce not only for themselves but also for human beings! The excellent organization within the hive is also proof of this "teaching."

So, honey should be the first choice in cases of health problems as it is natural and has a high nutrient value; it does not have the side effects of drugs and is more affordable than most other kinds of therapy.



References:

1. Molan, Peter, MD. "Honey Research."
2. Sahih Bukhari. "Book of Medicine."
3. Ifas. " APIS Newspaper. " University of Florida. August 2000.
4. The National Honey Board.
5. Whichman, Julie. "Honey." Health Watch . Vol 21:12. March16 2000.
6. http://www.billybee.com/
7. http://www.cbshealthwatch.com/
8. University of Waikato Honey Research Unit
9. MANUKA HONEY USA
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