Honey has been traditionally used for numerous health conditions, particularly wound healing. According to Synergy Production Laboratories, a special honey derived from Manuka trees in New Zealand (as Active 15+ Manuka Honey™) has been clinically tested in hospitals for healing burns and wounds. As a stomach ulcer is basically an internal wound, it goes to follow that honey would be effective for relieving ulcers as well. According to the company, Manuka Honey is currently being tested in humans for testing stomach ulcers.

Honey is also noted for its antibacterial properties. Manuka Honey is said to possess the same antibacterial effects as a 15 percent phenol solution, and it has been shown to eradicate infections and stop the growth of many bacteria, including E. coli, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Helicobacter pylori, Pseudomonas and Klebsiella pneumoniae, according to Synergy Production Laboratories. This is perhaps due to honey’s ability to promote beneficial bacteria.

Researchers from Michigan State University in East Lansing cultured five strains of Bifidobacteria—B. longum, B. adolescentis, B. breve, B. bifidum and B. infantis—and reinforced them with either a control medium or the control plus 5 percent honey, fructooligosaccharides (FOS), galactooligosaccharides (GOS) or insulin. Honey was found to enhance the growth of all five cultures in a similar manner as that of the prebiotics FOS, GOS and insulin.