Abstract
Honey has been used by humans since prehistory. It is the oldest known sweetener, and it also contains a number of health-promoting antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant substances.
It is traditionally used for skin care, and for its anti-inflammatory and immunostimulatory effects it is successfully applied not only in wound healing but also in the treatment of skin infections (dermatitis, acne etc). It also helps in the supportive treatment of gastrointestinal disorders (gastro-esopharyngeal disorders, peptic ulcers).
The issue of therapeutic use of honey is given increasing attention due to its antibacterial, immunostimulatory and antioxidant effects, especially in the context of wound healing. For the time being, however, the quality of most of the presented clinical references is low, lacking verified evidence of mechanisms for its therapeutic effects.
However, it is promising, especially in the context of increasing antibiotic resistance, that many in vitro studies demonstrate the antimicrobial activity of honey, including a description of its mechanism of action.