Raw Manuka Honey is a staple in my home for speeding up the healing process of wounds. I’ve used it successfully during several incidents. The most recent was when my vegetable spiralizer accidentally sliced off most of my pinky fingerprint. I had carelessly placed the blade at the back of a drawer, forgetting about it until it was too late. It happened while my husband was away for the night, leaving me alone with my kids. The cut bled profusely, and despite applying pressure for an hour and seeking advice from my dad, a former EMT, I struggled to stop the bleeding and decide how to treat the wound.
The cut created a large flap of skin that needed pressure to heal and required something to prevent bacterial infection. Remembering a past incident when honey worked wonders on my husband’s foot injury, I decided to use it again. I applied a thin layer of raw honey, added a drop of lavender oil, then wrapped the wound securely to avoid reopening it for a few days.
To my surprise, when I removed the bandage after two days, the healing progress was remarkable. I knew honey is used in medical settings like burn units and that there’s even a specific type called Medihoney used in healthcare. While I’ve only tried this remedy on minor burns at home, it’s important to seek medical attention for serious ones.
Honey is well-documented for its effectiveness in treating all sorts of wounds, especially burns. It’s been used historically for thousands of years across various cultures and modern research backs its antibacterial capabilities against numerous strains, including resistant ones like MRSA and MSSA. Studies show honey often outperforms traditional treatments such as silver sulfadiazine dressings, demonstrating faster healing and infection control.
For burns, which are prone to infection and slow to heal, honey does not lose its potency over time nor does it allow for resistant bacteria to develop. It decreases inflammation, acts as a protective barrier, and provides essential nutrients to the wound, speeding up the healing process.
The story of the French chemist René-Maurice Gattefossé illustrates lavender’s benefits for burns. Although the story may have evolved over time, lavender is known for its pain-relieving qualities and potential antimicrobial properties. I’ve also noticed lavender’s effectiveness on minor burns, which is why I combined it with honey for my finger injury.
This honey and lavender blend can be stored for future use, either in a tube, stainless steel tin, or jar. In emergencies, I’ve even poured honey directly onto a burn, followed by a drop of lavender. Hopefully, you never need it, but it’s a remedy that’s reassuring to have on hand.
Have you ever tried honey for a wound? Would you consider it?
