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Sugar and honey, natural treatments for wounds and infections

Sugar can heal cuts, scrapes, burns, and even large wounds without leaving a scar. It kills germs and repairs tissue better than any antiseptic or disinfectant on the market. (1)

People have written about its healing properties for over 4,000 years, since ancient Egyptian times. But it fell out of favour once antibiotics became available.

Sugar and honey are almost equal in their ability to heal, with honey taking a slight lead. (2)

There was an interesting review of seven studies of 264 patients treated with honey. Honey produced better outcomes than other treatments such as antibiotics and silver, with shorter healing times, and virtually no infection. (3)

Sugar and honey prevent scarring to the extent that they heal ulcers and burns without the need for skin grafts. They prevent the buildup of the stringy kind of collagen that creates scar tissue. Instead, a delicate mesh-like collagen structure forms that allows the skin to heal. (4,5)

The next time you have a cut, scrape, burn, or open infection, try using sugar or honey.

  1. Make a paste using water and sugar, or use straight honey.
  2. Apply to the wound and cover with gauze or a Band-Aid.
  3. Change the dressing throughout the day to prevent the gauze from sticking to the wound.

You should under no circumstances try any of the home remedies on this site without checking with your doctor. There may be some reason why they are not applicable in your case. We are not doctors but would give the same warning even if we were. Only your own doctor knows your medical history.

Sources

  1. Archer, HG, et al. "A controlled model of moist wound healing: comparison between semi-permeable film, antiseptics and sugar paste." J-Exp-Pathol-(Oxford). 1990 Apr; 71(2): 155-70.
  2. Mphande AN, Killowe C, et al. "Effects of honey and sugar dressings on wound healing." J Wound Care. 2007 Jul;16(7):317-9.
  3. Moore, O., et al. "Systematic review of the use of honey as a wound dressing." BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2001; 1:2.
  4. McPherson, J.M., Piez, K.A. "Collagen in dermal wound repair." In: Clark, R.A.F., Henson, P.M. The Molecular and Cellular Biology of Wound Repair. New York: Plenum Press, 1988.
  5. "Why do some cavity wounds treated with honey or sugar paste heal without scarring?" Woundcare Journal 2002; 11(2).