Greek honey used in ancient medicine

[guy]

 

Honey has been used throughout antiquity for its purported health benefits. Today, Maluka honey from New Zealand and Australia is highly prized for its health benefits, but expensive.

The Greeks also have been promoting their honey,  citing its long history for medical use. The Ancient Greek physicians would have utilized honey in their therapeutic armamentarium in medical treatment in throughout the Roman Empire.

 

Quote

 

”Honey in ancient Greece

Oenomel is an ancient Greek beverage consisting of honey and unfermented grape juice. It is sometimes used as a folk remedy for gout and certain nervous disorders (31). Hippocrates, the great Greek scientist, prescribed a simple diet, favouring honey given as oxymel (vinegar and honey) for pain, hydromel (water and honey) for thirst, and a mixture of honey, water and various medicinal substances for acute fevers (35). Also he utilized honey for baldness, contraception, wound healing, laxative action, cough and sore throat, eye diseases, topical antisepsis, prevention and treatment of scars.”

 

 

Summary: Although I’m always skeptical of reports of medical benefits based on folklore and anecdotes alone, I know a few people who swear to the benefits of honey for treating leg ulcers. I am not sure whether the wound response is from its antibacterial effect, it’s anti-inflammatory benefit, or it’s occlusive nature. Maybe one of these or other benefits of honey promote the wound response.

Not surprisingly, good medical research is starting to support the medical use of honey in certain settings, especially wound care.

https://greekreporter.com/2021/09/19/greek-honey-for-beautiful-skin-hair-and-anti-aging/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3758027/

 

 

Edited February 2 by guy