ABSTRACT
Introduction ............................................................................................................ 160 Human GI System .................................................................................................. 160
Digestive Process .............................................................................................. 161 Honey and GI Disorders ........................................................................................ 162
Honey for Oral Health ....................................................................................... 163 Periodontal Diseases..................................................................................... 163 Stomatitis ...................................................................................................... 163 Halitosis (Oral Malodor) .............................................................................. 164
Honey for Pharyngitis (Sore Throat) ................................................................. 165 Honey for Cough ............................................................................................... 165 Honey for Hiccups ............................................................................................ 166 Honey for Gastroesophageal Reux Disease .................................................... 166 Honey for Malabsorption .................................................................................. 166 Honey for Dyspepsia, Gastritis, and Gastric Ulcer ........................................... 167 Honey for Gastroenteritis .................................................................................. 169 Honey and IBS .................................................................................................. 171 Honey for Constipation ..................................................................................... 172 Honey for Anal Disorders ................................................................................. 173
Hemorrhoids ................................................................................................. 173 Anal Fissures ................................................................................................ 173 Anal Abscesses and Fistula .......................................................................... 174
Honey for IBD ................................................................................................... 174 Honey for Liver Care ........................................................................................ 175 Honey for Pancreas Diseases ............................................................................ 176
Honey as a Prebiotic .............................................................................................. 176 Some Honey-Based Mixtures for GI Disorders ..................................................... 178
Honey and Lemon ............................................................................................. 178 Honey and Cinnamon ........................................................................................ 178 Honey and Apple Cider ..................................................................................... 181
References .............................................................................................................. 181 Internet Sites .......................................................................................................... 186
Since ancient times, people have speculated about honey’s curative properties. The ancient Egyptians, Assyrians, Chinese, Greeks, and Romans all used honey, in combination with other herbs and on its own, to treat the diseases of the gut (Molan 1999). Until recently, there was little scientic evidence to support therapeutic uses of honey. Lately, however, many studies have shown that honey has valid medical use because of its antibacterial, anti-inammatory, and antioxidant activities. It can inhibit the growth of a wide range of bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses (Molan 1992; Blair and Carter 2005). In more recent times, its role in the treatment of burns, gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, asthma, infected and chronic wounds, skin ulcers, cataracts, and other eye ailments has been reported (Molan 1992; Marcucci 1995; Castaldo and Capasso 2002; Orhan et al. 2003). Pure honey is bactericidal for many pathogenic organisms, including enteropathogens, such as Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., enteropathogenic Escherichia coli, and other gram-negative organisms (Cavanah et al. 1968; Jeddar et al. 1985), and is a readily available source of glucose and fructose. It has been reported to contain about 200 substances: a complex mixture of sugars but also small amounts of other constituents such as minerals, proteins, vitamins, organic acids, avonoids, phenolic acids, enzymes, and other phytochemicals (White 1979).
