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Single-blind study of manuka honey in allergic fungal rhinosinusitis
Identifier
019899
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
I have my doubts about shoving honey up your nose, but the paper is interesting for other reasons notably the comments about fungal infection.
Probably better to boost your immune system by eating it.
A description of the experience
J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2011 Jun;40(3):238-43.
Single-blind study of manuka honey in allergic fungal rhinosinusitis.
Thamboo A1, Thamboo A, Philpott C, Javer A, Clark A.
- 1St. Paul's Sinus Centre, ENT Clinic, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, BC. andrew.thamboo@gmail.com
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Some patients continue to suffer from symptoms of sinusitis after maximal topical medical and surgical treatment for allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS). Manuka honey has well-documented antimicrobial and antifungal properties and is currently being used by physicians across the world for a wide variety of medical problems.
OBJECTIVE:
This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of Medihoney Antibacterial Medical Honey in patients who continue to suffer from AFRS resistant to conventional medical treatment after bilateral functional endoscopic sinus surgery and maximal postoperative medical management.
METHODS:
A randomized, single-blind, prospective study was conducted at a tertiary centre. Thirty-four patients with AFRS sprayed one nostril with 2 mL of a 50/50 mixture of honey-saline solution once a day at night for 30 days. Otherwise, patients continued with their regular nasal regimen in both nostrils. A 5-point improvement in our clinic's endoscopic grading system was considered significant. During their pre- and postassessment, patients' sinus cavities were cultured, and the patients filled out a Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) questionnaire to assess subjective nasal symptoms.
RESULTS:
As a group, the 34 patients who completed the study showed no significant improvement in the treated nostrils versus control nostrils (p = 1.000). However, the nine patients who did respond to the honey treatment relative to their control side responded very well. A number of these patients had high IgE levels in their blood. The manuka honey did not appear to modify the culture results in the ethmoid cavities after 30 days of treatment, but patients who completed the SNOT-22 questionnaire indicated global improvement in their symptoms while receiving the honey spray (p = .0220).
CONCLUSION:
Overall, topical manuka honey application in AFRS, despite showing symptomatic benefits, did not demonstrate a global improvement in endoscopically staged disease, but specific patients did show significant positive responses. Further research is needed to determine the factors of the patients who responded well to the honey spray, which may correlate to high IgE levels.
PMID:
21518647
The source of the experience
PubMedConcepts, symbols and science items
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Symbols
Science Items
Activities and commonsteps
Activities
Overloads
AntibioticsFungal infection
Fungal infection treatments
Nose diseases