The Therapeutic Use of Honey

Abstract

THE ANCIENTS WROTE OF THE healing properties of honey. A Sumerian tablet, possibly dated 3000 BCE, documents the treatment of an infected skin ulcer with honey. An Egyptian papyrus dated around 2000 BCE notes the use of honey to treat a gaping wound penetrating to the bone near the eyebrow. Aristotle (384–322 BCE) wrote about the use of honey to treat wounds and sore eyes. As with those of other natural substances, the healing benefits of honey were passed from generation to generation. Honey continues to be a popular medicine throughout the world, except in the U.S.¹