Pharmacology, nutrition value and therapeutic potential of honey: A review

Abstract

Since the dawn of time, honey has been one of the most prized and cherished natural goods available to humans and also being used as a medicine in the traditional medicine systems due to its marvellous medicinal effects in various ailments. It has carbohydrate in the form of glucose, fructose, maltose, sucrose, trisaccharide and other constituents such as water, minerals, proteins, vitamins and enzymes because of the same it serves as a nutritional, preservative and potent therapeutic agent. As mentioned in the Unani system of Medicine, it can be used as nutritive agent and medicinally it has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, detergent, deobstruent, lithotryptic and wound healing properties. As the bee collects the nectar from flowers to make the honey therefore a significant variation in the properties and looks may occur. Many in vitro studies have revealed that it has many pharmacological properties like antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, antifungal, and anticancer etc. Present study provides a brief review of medicinal exploration of honey in relation nutrition value, pharmacology, and Therapeutic potential.