Title: Ancient Honey and Vinegar Combination Proven Potent Antibacterial Agent
Subtitle: Doctors Turn to Prehistoric Recipe to Combat Drug-Resistant Infections
Date: July 12, 2023 | 5:05pm
Author: mlallanillanyp1
In the ongoing battle against drug-resistant bacterial infections, medical professionals are finding inspiration in ancient remedies. Researchers have recently discovered that a combination of honey and vinegar is a powerful antibacterial agent that aids in the rapid healing of wounds without the risk of infection.
Dr. Erin Connelly, from the University of Warwick, explained in a news release that their investigation was influenced by ancient recipes that utilized the pairing of honey and vinegar. Previously, the ancient Egyptians combined honey’s antibacterial properties with grease or fat as a protective barrier along with lint as an absorbent. Similarly, the ancient Greeks used wine and vinegar, known for their antimicrobial properties, to cleanse wounds. The teachings of the renowned Greek physician Hippocrates included advice on treating ulcers with sweet wine and patience.
Although modern medicine brought the introduction of antibiotics like penicillin, doctors are now returning to these ancient recipes due to the rise of drug-resistant conditions. Driven by the desire to combat such infections, Connelly and her team became the first to examine the effects of combining honey and vinegar or acetic acid on lab-grown biofilms of bacteria.
Throughout their research, the team experimented with different doses and combinations of honey, vinegar, and acetic acid. They discovered that a low dose of honey alone could not kill the bacteria, while a low dose of acetic acid also showed the same result. However, when these two substances were combined, a significant number of bacteria died, highlighting the potency of the honey and acetic acid combination.
Interestingly, certain types of vinegar were found to have more effective medicinal properties compared to plain acetic acid. Pomegranate vinegar, in particular, which has a higher concentration of acetic acid, demonstrated potential as an intriguing candidate for further study.
The use of honey in fighting diseases and antibiotic-resistant bacteria is not a new discovery. A 2020 survey published in the journal Antibiotics revealed that honey possesses robust antibiotic properties against drug-resistant germs such as MRSA, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, VRSA, and VRE. Additionally, research conducted by the University of Oxford in 2020 suggested that honey can be an effective alternative to antibiotics and over-the-counter remedies for treating mild respiratory illnesses.
Professor Joseph Hardwicke, a surgeon at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire, expressed enthusiasm for this research. He believes that integrating traditional remedies into modern healthcare can enhance patient care while reducing costs, especially considering the increasing burden of wound care and infections.
As doctors continue to explore ancient recipes, the combination of honey and vinegar offers a promising solution in the fight against drug-resistant infections. These natural ingredients may prove to be a valuable addition to modern medicine, offering a low-cost alternative with potent antibacterial properties.