Re: what about honey?

[Tony Nelson-Smith]

To elaborate on Gil's reply, honey contains an enzyme which produces peroxide, an antibacterial agent. It has thus been widely used as a wound dressing in folk medicine and in emergency. It carries the additional advantage of being hygroscopic (ie, it takes up water and thus doesn't dry out); no side-effects have been recorded on healthy tissue.
The main effect of salt and sugar is to raise the osmotic pressure to a point where micro-orgamisms can no longer survive - which is, of course, why they are used as food preservatives.
Honey might not be very good as a sealant for cut stumps on trees, as it wouldn't stem the flow of sap; it would also attract numerous flying insects, some of which might well carry infection on their feet. Definitely a no-no if you also keep bees! Tony N-S.








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