The debriding effect of honey on burn wounds, as well as
its anti-inflammatory and odour reducing capacities had been
reported in a number of trials (Table 5). Some of these
studies reported a positive effect of honey on these
outcomes. However, if actually compared to the control
group, they all showed non statistically significant results
(Tables 4 and 5).
Three RCTs mention the effect of honey on wound pain (pain
that was already present before honey was applied), and only
one trial report a positive wound pain reducing effect in favour
of honey (Tables 4 and 5).
It can be concluded that the evidence for the antibacterial
and healing stimulating properties of honey is well substantiated. However, the available evidence for its debridement and
anti-inflammatory effects as well as for its odour and wound
pain reducing capacities is rather weak and as a result no real
evidence based conclusions could be drawn.
4.2. Ulcers
Honey is widely used in various types of ulcers, such as
venous, arterial and mixed ulcers, pressure ulcers and diabetic