The Novel Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2) has been discovered recently in December 2019 from Wuhan city in China to spread in more than 40 countries allover the world. This disease has gain the attention of all nations after it has been stated as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) in March 12, 2020. Currently no treatment has been proved to be efficient in the treatment of infected patients by COVID-19.
Natural honey has been demonstrated as potent antimicrobial in many research investigations and has been considered a good alternative for antiviral drugs for the treatment of some viral infections. The investigators aim to study the efficacy of natural honey in the treatment of COVID-19 patients in this randomized , multicenter, controlled trial, comparing honey in one arm to standard care in the other arm.
Detailed Description: The (SARS CoV-2) virus is spreading globally, threatening all healthcare systems. Many healthcare systems and organizations are using different protocols and measures to fight the COVID-19. Hydroxychloroquine, lopinavir and other antiviral medications are currently under research investigations. Natural honey has been well known for its high health properties in diabetes, nutrition, dyslipidemia, skin lesions and it got FDA approval for topical wound treatment in 2007 as the most potent antimicrobial agent.
Honey has been previously considered as an alternative for acyclovir in the treatment of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) and it also demonstrated for its significant antiviral effect against varicella zoster virus (VZV). Many studies have demonstrated the broad spectrum antimicrobial effect of honey as an antibacterial, anti fungal, antiviral and antimycobacterial. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the Public Health England (PHE) guidelines recommended honey as a first line of treatment for acute cough caused by upper respiratory tract infection which is currently a cornerstone symptom in COVID-19 infectious disease.
Moreover, natural honey should no longer be used as "alternative" and deserves to gain more attention by scientists and researchers. The aim of this trial is to study the efficacy of natural honey in treatment of patients infected with COVID-19 in comparison with current standard care.
Methods: This will be a randomized , multi center, double armed clinical trial, patients will be randomly assigned to two groups on 1:1 basis. Natural honey group will include patients receiving standard care and added intervention in the form of natural honey in a dose of 1gm/kg/day (previously used safely in small studies) divided into 2 to 3 doses for continuous 14 days. The other arm is the arm receiving the standard care according to the center protocol.
Our primary outcome is days for recovery using the parameters: turning from positive to negative swaps, days from fever to no fever and lung inflammation recovery in x ray or CT, our secondary outcome is the 30 days mortality rate. Data will be collected and statistically managed using STATA blindly from who received the intervention. Source Ref : Clinical Trials.gov (Honey Prevent)
Can Honey Stop Me Getting A Virus?
The power of Honey in treating viruses. It has been picked up by various sources throughout the world and referenced in many tweets and posts. Given the spread of COVID-19 (a new coronavirus) throughout the world.
Viruses don’t just cause illness in winter. All through the year viruses can cause us to miss out on our favourite activities, meeting with friends and missing school. As we write this in the heat of the beautiful summer, getting common viruses like a winter cold or flu should be far from our minds. However, we see the increasingly fast spread of COVID-19 throughout the World. Few countries remain untouched. We see the World Health Organisation and various governments take drastic steps to protect people.
We believe protection starts at home, with a strict hygiene regime, but we can also help each other by boosting our immune systems. We love honey in any case, but knowing that honey has antibacterial and antiviral properties makes it top of our list to keep us from picking up any viruses, as well as supporting our bodies in fighting viruses and various ills. It makes sense to give your body as much support as you can over the next few weeks and months.
The Honey online marketplace features many honey products, from businesses throughout Malaysia (kelulut asli honey) to Australia and New Zealand (manuka honey) , that provide antiviral and immune support via medicinal grade honey. Here’s how Honey can support your body to resist viruses, boost your immune system and support healthy breathing so you can stay healthy and make the most of life.
Firstly, what is a virus? A virus is a tiny organism that can infect humans, animals and plants. Viruses are everywhere and many of them we don’t know about. Some viruses affect animals or plants differently, explaining why a bird virus may not pass to a human.
On their own viruses can’t replicate, but once in a host cell they can. Inside the cell they use some of the host genetic material to take over its function and spread. If a virus picks up some of this genetic material and takes it to another animal it can produce a new type of virus that can spread from animal to animal or animal to people.
Viruses you might have heard of include:
The common cold
Flu (influenza)
Measles
Chicken pox
Shingles
Cold sores
Epstein-Barr (Glandular fever)
Ebola
SARS, Avian flu and now the COVID-19 coronavirus.
COVID-19 is spread from person to person. When a person with COVID-19 coughs, sneezes, touches or talks they may spread droplets of the virus to other surfaces. It’s really important to use good hygiene, regularly wash and thoroughly dry your hands and use good cough etiquette.
Can Honey stop me getting a virus? Honey has been used for centuries as a medicinal product as well as a food and is one of the most active medicinal honeys. Honey contains Methylglyoxal (MG/MGO). At certain concentrations MGO can restrict bacterial growth and help reduce inflammation. Honey also contains other compounds and enzymes that can help protect from viruses and boost our immune system to resist them.
Several research studies have found the MGO in Honey is effective at inhibiting flu viruses, including the H1N1 swine flu. It is not just the Honey on its own that makes a difference. More importantly, when it is combined with other antiviral and antibacterial therapies it makes them work even better. Although much of the research has been done on applying Honey to the skin, there is increasing research that shows Honey provides benefits when taken internally as well, such as for combating breathing or digestive infections.
So, can Honey stop me getting a virus? Well, it may not stop it but it does seem to be able to boost your immune system to minimise the risk of you getting a virus, reduce viral activity and help you recover quicker.
It’s been trusted for centuries by healers all over the world. At a time when we receive a lot of mixed messaging, perhaps now is the time to trust in natural ingredients that have stood the test of time. Use High MGO Honey as part of your COVID-19 protection plans.
How to choose the best Honey product for preventing or treating a virus? Research suggests that even eating medicinal grade Honey may offer benefits, or you can select from specialist antiviral and immune-boosting products. Here are three things to remember when choosing your Honey immune support product:
Check for MG/MGO rating. Medicinal grade Honey is MG 250+ or UMF 10+
Choose products that are suitable for kids or adults
Remember not to give any honey to infants (aged under one year old) unless the product specifically states that it is safe
What other ingredients should I look for? Many of the antiviral and immune-boosting products we stock at Honey contain not only. Honey but other natural products to help boost our immune system. Here are three to look out for:
Propolis. Produced by bees to repair their nests, propolis contains many bioactive compounds that may help to reduce viral infections meaning you’re more likely to be on the road to recovery sooner.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C can reduce the length of time and severity of common viruses like the cold, but only if you start taking it before you get sick. Adding vitamin C to Honey products can be a great way to boost your immune system if there are viruses around, but is best used as part of your regular daily wellness routine.
Echinacea Studies have shown how active compounds in the purple echinacea flower play a role in reducing inflammation and boosting immunity. Mixed in with Honey echinacea is a great way to keep viruses away or recover quicker.
What else can I do to protect against catching a virus?
There are simple things you can do to help reduce the risk of catching a virus and getting sick. This is especially important in reducing the spreads of COVID-19.
Regularly wash your hands
Use an alcohol-based hand gel if you can’t wash your hands
Use paper hand towels not dryers to dry your hands
Cover your mouth and nose with the inside of your elbow (not hand) when you cough or sneeze
Thoroughly cook meat and eggs
Stay home if you’re feeling unwell
Don’t have contact with people who are coughing and sneezing
Honey is great all year round You want to be out there living life to the fullest, not stuck inside feeling unwell. Use Honey products all year round to boost your immune system and reduce the risk of getting sick.
COVID-19: We’re Fighting a War, But There’s Hope
Sources of References :- We don’t just pull our information out of thin air. We make sure that all the information we share with you about Honey and Honey products has been carefully checked factually. If you want to read more about the topics we covered in this blog, here are our sources. (Website : MANUKA HONEY _ NZ)
Crosta P. (2017) What to know about viruses. Medical News Today. Accessed January 2020. World Health Organization (2020) Coronavirus. Accessed January 2002 Khan SU. et al (2018). Honey: Single food stuff comprises many drugs. Saudi journal of biological sciences, 25(2), 320-325. Humpherys B & Busath DD (2019). Anti-Influenza Nutraceuticals: Antiviral and Anti-Inflammatory Effects. Advances in Complementary and Alternative Medicine 4(3) Watanabe, K., Rahmasari, R., Matsunaga, A., Haruyama, T., & Kobayashi, N. (2014). Anti-influenza viral effects of honey in vitro: potent high activity of manuka honey. Archives of medical research, 45(5), 359-365. Charyasriwong, S., Haruyama, T., & Kobayashi, N. (2016). In vitro evaluation of the antiviral activity of methylglyoxal against influenza B virus infection. Drug discoveries & therapeutics, 10(4), 201-210. Charyasriwong, S., Watanabe, K., Rahmasari, R., Matsunaga, A., Haruyama, T., & Kobayashi, N. (2015). In vitro evaluation of synergistic inhibitory effects of neuraminidase inhibitors and methylglyoxal against influenza virus infection. Archives of medical research, 46(1), 8-16. Brown, H. L., Roberts, A. E. L., Cooper, R., & Jenkins, R. (2016). A review of selected bee products as potential anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral agents. Pitt, S. J., Crockett, S. L., & Andreou, G. M. (2018). The contribution of hand drying in prevention of transmission of microorganisms: Comparison of the efficacy of three hand drying methods in the removal and distribution of microorganisms. Journal of Infection Prevention, 19(6), 310-317. Raman R. (2018) Echinachea: Benefits, uses, side effects and dosage. Accessed January 2019
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