Bee honey and cancer

Abstract

The benefits of bee honey in human health have long been recognized. Honey possesses antioxidant, chemopreventive, anti-atherogenic, immunoregulatory, antimicrobial and wound healing properties, however, the effects of honey on immune functions and its antitumour activity are not well characterised. This review explores the immunomodulatory and antitumour activity of bee honey in experimental studies and clinical studies and provides a broader perspective on the use of honey in the cancer setting. Evidence to support the use of honey in the treatment of radiation-induced mucositis, radiotherapy-induced and chemotherapy-induced skin reactions, the oral cavity and external surgical wounds is presented.