Sugar - the natural antiseptic

If you're ever in need of an antiseptic for an open wound, look around for a source of sugar! This excellent, life-saving tip was recently featured on the BBC's Super Doctors programme.

Honey has been used for millennia to heal wounds, however it can be quite expensive especially if it's a big wound. Normal sugar can work just as well at stopping bacteria infecting a wound. The sugar "pops" the cell walls of any bacteria, therefore they can't survive. And unlike salt, (which can also do this to bacteria), sugar is much more gentle and therefore doesn't burn the skin.

The best way to apply the sugar is to mix it with Vaseline, and if possible also a bit of glycerine (sugar/water solution) to help it all bind together in an usable paste. Then simply apply liberally to the wound. The Vaseline not only keeps the sugar in place, it also acts as a barrier to stop further dirt and bacteria entering the wound.

Nature is a wonderful treasure chest of natural remedies! Sugar is obtained from the Sugarcane (Saccharum) plant, and Honey obviously comes from Bees (who use pollen from flowers) so yet again we have Nature providing us with a variety of healing remedies, many easily available and at a low cost.

If you're interested in health products containing Honey, we have a selection on our website at the link below:
http://www.homeherbs.co.uk/0/category/447-Bee_Health.html

Thank you for reading. Your thoughts and comments are welcome!