Editing Honey (section)

== Medical use and research ==
{{See also|Apitherapy}}

=== Wounds and burns ===
Honey is a [[folk treatment]] for burns and other skin injuries. Preliminary evidence suggests that it aids in the healing of partial thickness burns 4–5 days faster than other dressings, and moderate evidence suggests that post-operative infections treated with honey heal faster and with fewer adverse events than with [[antiseptic]] and [[gauze]].<ref name=Jull2015>{{Cite journal |title=Honey as a topical treatment for wounds |last1=Jull |first1=Andrew B. |last2=Cullum |first2=Nicky |last3=Dumville |first3=Jo C. |last4=Westby |first4=Maggie J. |last5=Deshpande |first5=Sohan |last6=Walker |first6=Natalie |year=2015 |journal=Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews |volume=2015 |issue=3 |pages=CD005083 |pmid=25742878 |doi=10.1002/14651858.cd005083.pub4 |pmc=9719456 |quote=Honey appears to heal partial thickness burns more quickly than conventional treatment (which included polyurethane film, paraffin gauze, soframycin-impregnated gauze, sterile linen and leaving the burns exposed) and infected post-operative wounds more quickly than antiseptics and gauze. |url=https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:370288/UQ370288_OA.pdf}}</ref> The evidence for the use of honey in various other wound treatments is of low quality, and firm conclusions cannot be drawn.<ref name=Jull2015 /><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Majtan |first1=J. |title=Honey: an immunomodulator in wound healing |journal=Wound Repair and Regeneration |date=2014 |volume=22 |issue=2 Mar–Apr |pages=187–192 |doi=10.1111/wrr.12117 |pmid=24612472 |s2cid=40188613}}</ref> Evidence does not support the use of honey-based products for the treatment of [[venous ulcer|venous stasis ulcers]] or [[ingrown toenail]].<ref name="OMeara Al-Kurdi Ologun Ovington 2014">{{cite journal |last1=O'Meara |first1=Susan |last2=Al-Kurdi |first2=Deyaa |last3=Ologun |first3=Yemisi |last4=Ovington |first4=Liza G. |last5=Martyn-St James |first5=Marrissa |last6=Richardson |first6=Rachel |title=Antibiotics and antiseptics for venous leg ulcers |journal=Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews |publisher=Wiley |volume=2014 |issue=1 |date=10 January 2014 |pages=CD003557 |issn=1465-1858 |doi=10.1002/14651858.cd003557.pub5 |pmid=24408354 |pmc=10580125}}</ref><ref name="Eekhof Van Wijk Knuistingh Neven van der Wouden 2012">{{cite journal |last1=Eekhof |first1=Just A.H. |last2=Van Wijk |first2=Bart |last3=Knuistingh Neven |first3=Arie |last4=van der Wouden |first4=Johannes C. |title=Interventions for ingrowing toenails |journal=Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews |publisher=Wiley |date=18 April 2012 |issue=4 |pages=CD001541 |issn=1465-1858 |doi=10.1002/14651858.cd001541.pub3 |pmid=22513901 |hdl=1887/117180 |s2cid=44706332 |hdl-access=free}}</ref> Several medical-grade honey products have been approved by the [[United States|US]] [[Food and Drug Administration]] for use in treating minor wounds and burns.<ref name="Saikaly2017">{{cite journal |last1=Saikaly |first1=Sami K. |last2=Khachemoune |first2=Amor |title=Honey and Wound Healing: An Update |journal=American Journal of Clinical Dermatology |date=6 January 2017 |volume=18 |issue=2 |pages=237–251 |doi=10.1007/s40257-016-0247-8 |pmid=28063093 |s2cid=207482579}}</ref>

=== Antibiotic ===
Honey has long been used as a [[topical antibiotic]] by practitioners of [[traditional medicine|traditional]] and [[herbal medicine]].<ref name="Buhner">{{cite book |last1=Buhner |first1=Stephen Harrod |title=Herbal Antibiotics: Natural Alternatives for Treating Drug-Resistant Bacteria |date=2012 |publisher=Storey Publishing |isbn=978-1-60342-987-0 |pages=188–196 |edition=2nd}}</ref><ref name="Boukraa">{{cite book |editor1-last=Boukraâ |editor1-first=Laïd |title=Honey in Traditional and Modern Medicine |date=2014 |publisher=CRC Press |isbn=978-1-4398-4016-0 |page=126}}</ref> Honey's antibacterial effects were first demonstrated by the Dutch scientist Bernardus Adrianus van Ketel in 1892.<ref name="Dustmann">{{cite journal |last1=Dustmann |first1=J. H. |title=Antibacterial Effect of Honey |journal=Apiacta |date=1979 |volume=14 |issue=1 |pages=7–11 |issn=1221-7816}}</ref><ref name="Nolan2019">{{cite journal |last1=Nolan |first1=Victoria C. |last2=Harrison |first2=James |last3=Cox |first3=Jonathan A. G. |title=Dissecting the Antimicrobial Composition of Honey |journal=Antibiotics |date=5 December 2019 |volume=8 |issue=4 |page=251 |doi=10.3390/antibiotics8040251 |pmid=31817375 |pmc=6963415|doi-access=free}}</ref> Since then, numerous studies have shown that honey has broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against [[Gram-positive bacteria|gram-positive]] and [[Gram-negative bacteria|gram-negative]] bacteria, although potency varies widely between different honeys.<ref name="Saikaly2017" /><ref name="Nolan2019" /><ref name="Molan2015">{{cite journal |last1=Molan |first1=P. |last2=Rhodes |first2=T. |title=Honey: A Biologic Wound Dressing. |journal=Wounds |date=June 2015 |volume=27 |issue=6 |pages=141–51 |pmid=26061489}}</ref><ref name="future">{{cite journal |last1=Maddocks |first1=Sarah E |last2=Jenkins |first2=Rowena E |title=Honey: a sweet solution to the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance? |journal=Future Microbiology |year=2013 |volume=8 |issue=11 |pages=1419–1429 |doi=10.2217/fmb.13.105 |pmid=24199801}}</ref> Due to the proliferation of [[List of antibiotic-resistant bacteria|antibiotic-resistant bacteria]] in the last few decades, there has been renewed interest in researching the antibacterial properties of honey.<ref name="Boukraa" /> Components of honey under preliminary research for potential antibiotic use include [[methylglyoxal]], [[hydrogen peroxide]], and royalisin (also called defensin-1).<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Methylglyoxal-induced modifications of significant honeybee proteinous components in manuka honey: Possible therapeutic implications |journal=Fitoterapia |date=1 June 2012 |pages=671–677 |volume=83 |issue=4 |doi=10.1016/j.fitote.2012.02.002 |first1=Juraj |last1=Majtan |first2=Jaroslav |last2=Klaudiny |first3=Jana |last3=Bohova |first4=Lenka |last4=Kohutova |first5=Maria |last5=Dzurova |first6=Maria |last6=Sediva |first7=Maria |last7=Bartosova |first8=Viktor |last8=Majtan |pmid=22366273}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |pmid=22095907 |year=2012 |last1=Kwakman |first1=P. H. |title=Antibacterial components of honey |journal=IUBMB Life |volume=64 |issue=1 |pages=48–55 |last2=Zaat |first2=S. A. |doi=10.1002/iub.578 |s2cid=19954920|doi-access=free}}</ref>

=== Cough ===
For chronic and acute coughs, a [[Cochrane (organisation)|Cochrane]] review found no strong evidence for or against the use of honey.<ref name="lozenges">{{cite journal |vauthors=Mulholland S, Chang AB |title=Honey and lozenges for children with non-specific cough |journal=Cochrane Database Syst Rev |issue=2 |pages=CD007523 |year=2009 |volume=2009 |pmid=19370690 |doi=10.1002/14651858.CD007523.pub2 |pmc=7202236 |type=Systematic review |url=http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:263794/UQ263794_OA.pdf}}</ref><ref name="Oduwole-2018">{{Cite journal |last1=Oduwole |first1=Olabisi |last2=Udoh |first2=Ekong E. |last3=Oyo-Ita |first3=Angela |last4=Meremikwu |first4=Martin M. |date=2018 |title=Honey for acute cough in children |journal=The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews |volume=4 |issue=12 |pages=CD007094 |doi=10.1002/14651858.CD007094.pub5 |issn=1469-493X |pmid=29633783 |pmc=6513626}}</ref> For treating children, the systematic review concluded with moderate to low evidence that honey helps more than no treatment, [[diphenhydramine]], and [[placebo]] at giving relief from coughing.<ref name="Oduwole-2018" /> Honey does not appear to work better than [[dextromethorphan]] at relieving coughing in children.<ref name="Oduwole-2018" /> Other reviews have also supported the use of honey for treating children.<ref name=Goldman2014>{{cite journal |last1=Goldman |first1=Ran D. |title=Honey for treatment of cough in children |journal=Canadian Family Physician |date=December 2014 |volume=60 |issue=12 |pages=1107–1110 |pmid=25642485 |pmc=4264806 |url=http://www.cfp.ca/content/60/12/1107.long |type=Systematic review |access-date=15 October 2015 |archive-date=19 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160119001454/http://www.cfp.ca/content/60/12/1107.long |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Paul2012">{{cite journal |last1=Paul |first1=Ian M. |title=Therapeutic Options for Acute Cough Due to Upper Respiratory Infections in Children |journal=Lung |date=February 2012 |volume=190 |issue=1 |pages=41–44 |doi=10.1007/s00408-011-9319-y |pmid=21892785 |s2cid=23865647}}</ref>

The UK [[Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency]] recommends avoiding giving [[over-the-counter]] cough and [[common cold]] medication to children under six, and suggests "a homemade remedy containing honey and lemon is likely to be just as useful and safer to take", but warns that honey should not be given to babies because of the risk of infant [[botulism]].<ref name="nhs-cough">{{cite web |publisher=[[NHS Choices]] |title=Cough |access-date=18 June 2014 |date=20 June 2013 |url=http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cough/pages/introduction.aspx |archive-date=9 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140609162422/http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Cough/Pages/Introduction.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> The World Health Organization recommends honey as a treatment for coughs and sore throats, including for children, stating that no reason exists to believe it is less effective than a commercial remedy.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cough and cold remedies for the treatment of acute respiratory infections in young children |url=https://www.who.int/maternal_child_adolescent/documents/fch_cah_01_02/en/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130825012135/http://www.who.int/maternal_child_adolescent/documents/fch_cah_01_02/en/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 August 2013 |publisher=[[World Health Organization]] (WHO) |year=2001 |id=WHO/FCH/CAH/01.02 |hdl=10665/66856 |last1=Organization |first1=World Health}}</ref>

=== Other ===
The use of honey has been recommended as a temporary intervention for known or suspected [[button cell]] battery ingestions to reduce the risk and severity of injury to the [[esophagus]] caused by the battery prior to its removal.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.poison.org/battery/guideline |title=Button Battery Ingestion: Triage and Treatment Guideline |publisher=National Capital Poison Center, Washington, DC |date=June 2018 |access-date=5 July 2018 |archive-date=23 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210323062616/https://www.poison.org/battery/guideline |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Mubarak Benninga Broekaert Dolinsek 2021 pp. 129–136">{{cite journal |last1=Mubarak |first1=Amani |last2=Benninga |first2=Marc A. |last3=Broekaert |first3=Ilse |last4=Dolinsek |first4=Jernej |last5=Homan |first5=Matjaž |last6=Mas |first6=Emmanuel |last7=Miele |first7=Erasmo |last8=Pienar |first8=Corina |last9=Thapar |first9=Nikhil | last10=Thomson | first10=Mike |last11=Tzivinikos |first11=Christos |last12=de Ridder |first12=Lissy |title=Diagnosis, Management, and Prevention of Button Battery Ingestion in Childhood: A European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition Position Paper |journal=Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology & Nutrition |publisher=Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health) |volume=73 |issue=1 |date=14 January 2021 |issn=0277-2116 |doi=10.1097/mpg.0000000000003048 |pages=129–136| doi-access=free |pmid=33555169}}</ref><ref name="Sethia Gibbs Jacobs Reilly 2021 pp. 549–563">{{cite journal |last1=Sethia |first1=Rishabh |last2=Gibbs |first2=Hannah |last3=Jacobs |first3=Ian N. |last4=Reilly |first4=James S. |last5=Rhoades |first5=Keith |last6=Jatana |first6=Kris R. |title=Current management of button battery injuries |journal=Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology |publisher=Wiley |volume=6 |issue=3 |date=15 April 2021 |issn=2378-8038 |doi=10.1002/lio2.535 |pages=549–563| doi-access=free |pmid=34195377 |pmc=8223456}}</ref>

There is no evidence that honey is beneficial for treating [[cancer]],<ref name="mayo">{{cite web |publisher=[[Mayo Clinic]] |title=Honey |access-date=24 September 2015 |date=1 November 2013 |url=http://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/honey/evidence/hrb-20059618 |archive-date=25 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925132729/http://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/honey/evidence/hrb-20059618 |url-status=live }}</ref> although honey may be useful for controlling [[side effect]]s of [[radiation therapy]] or [[chemotherapy]] used to treat cancer.<ref name="Bardy Slevin Mais Molassiotis 2008 pp. 2604–2623">{{cite journal |last1=Bardy |first1=Joy |last2=Slevin |first2=Nicholas J |last3=Mais |first3=Kathleen L |last4=Molassiotis |first4=Alexander |title=A systematic review of honey uses and its potential value within oncology care |journal=Journal of Clinical Nursing |publisher=Wiley |volume=17 |issue=19 |date=17 September 2008 |issn=0962-1067 |doi=10.1111/j.1365-2702.2008.02304.x |pages=2604–2623 |pmid=18808626}}</ref>

Consumption is sometimes advocated as a treatment for [[seasonal allergies]] due to [[pollen]], but scientific evidence to support the claim is inconclusive.<ref name=mayo /> Honey is generally considered ineffective for the treatment of [[allergic conjunctivitis]].<ref name=mayo /><ref name="Rudmik Hoy Schlosser Harvey 2012 pp. 281–298">{{cite journal |last1=Rudmik |first1=Luke |last2=Hoy |first2=Monica |last3=Schlosser |first3=Rodney J. |last4=Harvey |first4=Richard J. |last5=Welch |first5=Kevin C. |last6=Lund |first6=Valerie |last7=Smith |first7=Timothy L. |title=Topical therapies in the management of chronic rhinosinusitis: an evidence-based review with recommendations |journal=International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology |publisher=Wiley |volume=3 |issue=4 |date=8 October 2012 |issn=2042-6976 |doi=10.1002/alr.21096 |pages=281–298| doi-access=free |pmid=23044832}}</ref>

The majority of calories in honey are from fructose. When consumed in addition to a normal diet, fructose causes significant weight gain, but when fructose was substituted for other carbohydrates of equal energy value there was no effect on body weight.<ref name="aim">{{cite journal |vauthors=Sievenpiper JL, de Souza RJ, Mirrahimi A, Yu ME, Carleton AJ, Beyene J, Chiavaroli L, Di Buono M, Jenkins AL, Leiter LA, Wolever TM, Kendall CW, Jenkins DJ |title=Effect of Fructose on Body Weight in Controlled Feeding Trials: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis |journal=Ann Intern Med |year=2012 |volume=156 |issue=4 |pages=291–304 |pmid=22351714 |doi=10.7326/0003-4819-156-4-201202210-00007 |s2cid=207536440}}</ref>

Honey has a mild laxative effect which has been noted as being helpful in alleviating constipation and bloating.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.news24.com/health24/natural/natural-living/the-health-benefits-of-honey-20130523 |title=The health benefits of honey |last1=Ottermann |first1=Birgit |publisher=[[News24 (website)|News24]] |quote=Honey has a mild laxative effect which can help combat constipation and bloating. |date=23 May 2013 |accessdate=1 May 2022 |archive-date=1 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220501080918/https://www.news24.com/health24/natural/natural-living/The-health-benefits-of-honey-20130523 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Health hazards ===
Honey is generally safe when taken in typical food amounts,<ref name=Goldman2014 /><ref name=mayo /> but it may have various, potential [[adverse effect]]s or [[drug interaction|interactions]] in combination with excessive consumption, existing [[disease]] conditions, or [[drug]]s.<ref name=mayo /> Included among these are mild reactions to high intake, such as [[anxiety (mood)|anxiety]], [[insomnia]], or [[hyperactivity]] in about 10% of children, according to one study.<ref name=Goldman2014 /> No symptoms of anxiety, insomnia, or hyperactivity were detected with honey consumption compared to [[placebo]], according to another study.<ref name=Goldman2014 /> Honey consumption may interact adversely with existing [[allergy|allergies]], high [[blood sugar]] levels (as in [[diabetes]]), or [[anticoagulant]]s used to control [[bleeding]], among other [[clinical medicine|clinical]] conditions.<ref name=mayo />

People who have a [[immunocompromised|weakened immune system]] may be at risk of bacterial or fungal infection from eating honey.<ref name=safety>{{cite book |last1=Prakash |first1=V. |last2=Martin-Belloso |first2=Olga |last3=Keener |first3=Larry |last4=Astley |first4=Siân B. |last5=Braun |first5=Susanne |last6=McMahon |first6=Helena |last7=Lelieveld |first7=Huub |title=Regulating Safety of Traditional and Ethnic Foods |publisher=Academic Press |date=25 November 2015 |isbn=978-0-12-800620-7 |page=223}}</ref>

==== Botulism ====
Infants can develop botulism after consuming honey contaminated with ''[[Clostridium botulinum]]'' endospores.<ref name="NHB botulism">{{cite web |url=https://www.honey.com/faq |title=Frequently Asked Questions |work=National Honey Board |access-date=6 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100201094727/http://www.honey.com/nhb/about-honey/frequently-asked-questions/category/honey-properties/ |archive-date=1 February 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Infantile botulism shows geographical variation. In the UK, only six cases were reported between 1976 and 2006,<ref name="FSA botulism">{{cite web |url=http://www.food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/infantbotulismreport.pdf |title=Report on Minimally Processed Infant Weaning Foods and the Risk of Infant Botulism |date=July 2006 |work=Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Food |access-date=9 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101019005426/http://www.food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/infantbotulismreport.pdf |archive-date=19 October 2010}}</ref> yet the US has much higher rates: 1.9 per 100,000 live births, 47.2% of which are in California.<ref name="CdcBotulism">[https://www.cdc.gov/botulism/pdf/bot-manual.pdf Botulism in the United States, 1899–1996] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200312143416/https://www.cdc.gov/botulism/pdf/bot-manual.pdf |date=12 March 2020 }}, Handbook for Epidemiologists, Clinicians, and Laboratory Workers, Atlanta, GA. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (1998)</ref> While the risk honey poses to infant health is small, taking the risk is not recommended until after one year of age, and then giving honey is considered safe.<ref name="ENY128">{{cite web |last1=Sanford |first1=Malcolm T. |last2=Atkinson |first2=Eddie |last3=Klopchin |first3=Jeanette |last4=Ellis |first4=Jamie R. |title=Infant Botulism and Honey |url=http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/aa142 |website=Every Day Information Source |date=4 April 2019 |access-date=5 July 2020 |archive-date=17 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017082318/http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/aa142 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Toxic honey ====
{{Main|Mad honey|Bees and toxic chemicals#Toxic honey}}

[[Mad honey disease|Mad honey intoxication]] is a result of eating honey containing [[grayanotoxin]]s.<ref name=JansenKleerekooper2012>{{cite journal |last1=Jansen |first1=Suze A. |last2=Kleerekooper |first2=Iris |last3=Hofman |first3=Zonne L. M. |last4=Kappen |first4=Isabelle F. P. M. |last5=Stary-Weinzinger |first5=Anna |last6=van der Heyden |first6=Marcel A. G. |title=Grayanotoxin Poisoning: 'Mad Honey Disease' and Beyond |journal=Cardiovascular Toxicology |volume=12 |issue=3 |year=2012 |pages=208–215 |doi=10.1007/s12012-012-9162-2 |pmid=22528814 |pmc=3404272}}</ref> Honey produced from flowers of [[rhododendron]]s, [[Kalmia latifolia|mountain laurels]], [[Kalmia angustifolia|sheep laurel]], and [[azalea]]s may cause honey intoxication. Symptoms include dizziness, weakness, excessive perspiration, nausea, and vomiting. Less commonly, low blood pressure, shock, heart rhythm irregularities, and convulsions may occur, with rare cases resulting in death. According to the FDA, honey intoxication is more likely when using "natural" unprocessed honey from farmers who may have a small number of hives because commercial processing, which pools of honey from numerous sources, dilutes the toxins.<ref name="FDA">{{Cite web |title="Grayanotoxin" |url=http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/FoodborneIllness/FoodborneIllnessFoodbornePathogensNaturalToxins/BadBugBook/ucm071128.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130308010321/http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/FoodborneIllness/FoodborneIllnessFoodbornePathogensNaturalToxins/BadBugBook/ucm071128.htm |archive-date=8 March 2013 |access-date=13 July 2009 |website=[[Food and Drug Administration]]}} in the ''Foodborne Pathogenic Microorganisms and Natural Toxins Handbook'', FDA Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.</ref>

Toxic honey may also result when bees are proximate to [[Tutu (plant)|tutu]] bushes (''Coriaria arborea'') and the vine hopper insect (''[[Scolypopa australis]]''). Both are found throughout New Zealand. Bees gather honeydew produced by the vine hopper insects feeding on the tutu plant. This introduces the poison [[Tutin (toxin)|tutin]] into honey.<ref name="NBA">{{citation |url=http://nba.org.nz/uploads/starting-with-bees-tutin-section.pdf |title=Tutu Bush and Toxic Honey |work=National Beekeepers Association, New Zealand |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111005173024/http://nba.org.nz/uploads/starting-with-bees-tutin-section.pdf |archive-date=5 October 2011}}</ref> Only a few areas in New Zealand (the [[Coromandel Peninsula]], Eastern [[Bay of Plenty Region]] and the [[Marlborough Sounds]]) frequently produce toxic honey. Symptoms of tutin poisoning include vomiting, delirium, giddiness, increased excitability, stupor, coma, and violent convulsions.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal/read-the-journal/all-issues/2010-2019/2013/vol-126-no-1370/cc-belcher |title=Tutu toxicity: three case reports of Coriaria arborea ingestion, review of literature and recommendations for management – New Zealand Medical Journal |website=www.nzma.org.nz|access-date=9 October 2018|archive-date=9 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181009211830/https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal/read-the-journal/all-issues/2010-2019/2013/vol-126-no-1370/cc-belcher|url-status=dead}}</ref> To reduce the risk of tutin poisoning, humans should not eat honey taken from feral hives in the risk areas of New Zealand. Since December 2001, New Zealand beekeepers have been required to reduce the risk of producing toxic honey by closely monitoring tutu, vine hopper, and foraging conditions within {{convert|3|km|mi|abbr=on|frac=2}} of their apiary.{{citation needed|reason=needed for section in general|date=April 2015}} Intoxication is rarely dangerous.<ref name=JansenKleerekooper2012 />

=== Folk medicine ===
In [[myth]]s and [[folk medicine]], honey was used both orally and topically to treat various ailments including [[gastric]] disturbances, [[ulcer]]s, [[skin]] [[wound]]s, and skin [[burn]]s by ancient Greeks and Egyptians, and in [[Ayurveda]] and [[traditional Chinese medicine]].<ref name="Pećanac-" />