The history of honey dates back to some the oldest recorded history. Rock painting found in Spain, France, India, Australia, and Africa date to the Paleolithic period. They depict human figures harvesting honey from hives and what early hives may have looked like.

Figure from The World History of Beekeeping and Honey Hunting Eva Crane (Crane 1999, 38)

Descriptions of honey’s medicinal properties, specifically antimicrobial, have been recorded for the past four thousand years. The first record of prescription was on a Sumerian clay tablet made somewhere between 2100 and 2000 BCE. Ancient Egyptians, Romans, Greek, Chinese, and other early civilizations have recordings of honey being used medicinally. Honey primarily consists of sugar and water but is known to contain around 200 different substances including vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and enzymes.  Ayurvedic texts hold honey in high regard, prescribing its use to treat eye ailments, skin disorders, wounds, cardiac pain, lung problems, as well as aid digestion, improve eyesight, and even help with insomnia. Egyptians also had medicinal uses for honey. Honey was used in almost all Egyptian medicines, offered to their gods in sacrifice, and was even found to have been used to embalm the dead on occasion. The use of honey as medicine has also been found in Greek history. Hippocrates advocated for its use, along with a combination of other ingredients, orally and topically to treat a number of ailments. Also mentioned in Islamic culture, the Koran and the prophet Mohammed (SA) both refer to honey’s healing effects.

There have been some adverse affects recorded in the use of honey. Topical application may sometimes lead to drying out of the area if over-applied. Allergies to honey are rare, but more commonly allergic reactions to the pollen within the honey occur.

Although there is a long history of honey’s medicinal use, a lack of scientific evidence makes it hard to integrate its use into modern medicine. There is a long and growing list of the medicinal and beneficial properties that honey exhibits, including but not limited to:

• Possesses antimicrobial properties that aid in:
  • Wound dressing and healing
  • Prevention of gastrointestinal infection
  • Easing symptoms of indigestion and diarrhea
  • Prevent fungal infection
  • Preventing viral infection
• Can be used to treat a wide variety of eye conditions including corneal injury and chemical burns
• When locally produced, can aid in allergy relief
• Is an effective substitute for diabetes medication
• Has preservative properties
• Helps to balance intestinal health
• Possesses anti-inflammatory effects
• Contains antioxidants
• Is effective in treating vertigo