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briandmyers · 3897 days ago · link · · parent · post: I just learned the coolest thing about beehives and propolis
Just FYI - a lot of the lauded anti-bacterial qualities of honey come into play when it is used as a salve, not when taken internally. Honey is good to use on wounds, esp. burns, because the high sugar content drains fluids from the wound by osmotic pressure (making an unpleasant environment for bacteria), and also it supplies simple sugars which can be absorbed and used as nutrients by healing tissues below. Some types of NZ honey (manuka) have an additional benefit labelled "UMF", which is extra-anti-bacterial, apparently. Manuka (also called "tea tree" here) has a strong flavour; I'm not fond of it myself. A little piney-tasting. It's a common tree here, similar to Texas mesquite.