Bees take the sting out of pain

Bees have done it again. New research out of Sweden reveals how bee honey might be a natural antibiotic. 

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  New research out of Lund University shows the lactic acid bacteria from a bee’s honey stomach could have strong healing properties not previously known. Wikimedia Commons/Maciej A. Czyzewski

• Data from a new study out of Lund University reveals how bacteria from bee honey has the potential to become an alternative to antibiotics.
  The research reveals that the lactic acid bacteria from a bee’s honey stomach can combat antibiotic-resistant germs. Common antibiotics often contain only one active substance which focuses on a group of bacteria. Lactic acid bacteria from bees, however, can produce various antibiotic-like substances depending on the disease bacteria they encounter.
  “We have found these bacteria in all kinds of bees worldwide,” says Alejandra Vásquez, PhD in medical microbiology at Lund University. This particular bacteria has not been seen before because lactic acid bacteria only survive a few weeks in honey but must be alive to have any effect. “Honey purchased from grocery stores will not work,” says Dr. Vásquez.
  The study focused on how honey bacteria can help heal chronic wounds with pilot studies on a dozen horses. The results are encouraging: All the horses' wounds healed.