The UK is conducting successful trials using a combination of medicinal-grade honey and food-grade vinegar, known as oxymel, as a low-cost alternative to antibiotics and antiseptics for wound care in hospitals.
This ancient remedy, documented in the medical literature of Classical Rome and possibly older civilizations, has shown promising results in reducing bacterial concentrations within biofilms on wounds. The researchers discovered that the combination of low-dose acetic acid from the vinegar and medicinal honey significantly decreased microbial counts, with whole vinegar, like pomegranate vinegar proving to be even more effective than acetic acid alone.
Using honey and vinegar for wound care represents a shift towards exploring homeopathic approaches in modern medicine. By harnessing the properties of these natural ingredients, hospitals aim to address the challenge of antibiotic resistance while providing an affordable and accessible solution for wound treatment. These trials’ findings highlight this age-old remedy’s potential in combating bacterial infections and improving patient outcomes in wound healing.