Therapeutic Properties of Honey: A Review of Literature

Abstract

Honey is a natural organic substance that is produced from the nectar of flowers by Apis mellifera and is a sweet, flavourful liquid. It contains sugars, small quantities of proteins, amino acids, enzymes, vitamins, minerals, trace elements, aroma compounds, and polyphones. It is accepted widely as food and medicine by all generations, traditions and civilizations of both ancient and modern era. Asian countries like Sri Lanka, India, Nepal, and Pakistan have been using honey for their traditional and medicinal purposes. It is used as a remedy for burns, ulcers, diabetes, wound healing, cataract, etc. Many researchers have scientifically proved most of the traditional claims, (e.g., usage for diabetes, oral infection, constipation, diarrhea, inflammation, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal diseases) for honey using scientifically controlled experiments. We conclude this review by exposing the benefits and traditional and medicinal usage of the honey.

Keywords: Apis mellifera, honey, medicine, nectar, remedy

Cite this Article

Maryam Zafar Tabassum Latafat, Amreen Zehra, Yasra Farooqui. Therapeutic Properties of Honey: A Review of Literature. Research & Reviews: A Journal of Pharmacology. 2020; 10(1): 41–49p.