Another useful folk remedy (?) -- Honey for wound healing

Used it for severe Arthritis pain and joint stiffness. So bad in all three segments of spine, joints and connective tissue that I could barely get by without home aid, much less work. I first learned about MSM from my Chiropractor. Turned out the powder MSM has had miraculous effect. While it took a few months for full swing effect, I found that when I would stop using it I'd just end up back where I started. And would have to start the MSM treatment all over.

As I understand it, MSM (Methyl Sulfonyl Methane) some how softens cellular outer lining, or walls permitting nutrients to enter and toxins and waste to exit. These walls generally harden as we age. And while some MSM is available in some meats and vegetables, that it is not enough. Don't let "Methane" scare you. While it used to be derived from Petroleum, it is now derived from Pine trees.

The best as far as I can tell from personal experience is powder MSM which seems to be the most expensive at about $40 a pound. Next, crystal (chelate) at about $10 a lb. In tablet form the least expensive, and while a bit helpful, not very. The powder and crystal I have only been able to find online.

The first few days of using the powder or crystal (chelate) seems to produce a short, mild buzz as many built-up toxins are being flushed through and from the body.

Charlie

About 10 years ago I had some problem with "rice krispie" knees. They went "snap, crackle, pop" and some problem on stairs. I don't even know if they had the chondroitin sulfate out then, but I was taking some sulfur to help and added liquid jello and the problems went away in a few weeks, almost like a miracle. It was my own doing or maybe prompted by instinct. I figured since jello was basically liquid cartilage, maybe it would help me repair my own. I don't like eating it, so I'd dissolve half a small box with the boiling water, add ice to quickly cool it, then drink it instead of putting in refrigerator and letting it set. Suprisingly, it makes an interesting and refreshing drink.

A couple months ago I turned out my right knee or did something to it and been using cane during that time. First problem I've had since 10 years ago with my knees. I went to see an orthapedic surgeon Leigh Curl who is the one for the Baltimore Ravens team. I was worried I had a swollen bursa, leaky synovial fluids or jerked a ligament loose. X-ray showed loss of cartilage in the right inner knee area, but no surgery at this time. On the good side, no osteo, my bones were like stones. Prescription? Over the counter "Osteo Bi-flex" and let it heal, check back in 2 months. Wife picked up some jello again this week and I'll be back on that again for awhile too since the holiday and relatives visiting are finished.

My one complaint about the pills which contain MSM, Glucosamine, Frankinsense oils, (boswellia) chondroitin, collagen (hydrolzyed gelatin, aka jello) is, I think the MSM causes worst gas problems and worse smelling too than just taking elemental sulfur which can be purchased without prescription from a pharmacy. When I used sulfur, I had "rotten egg" type gas for about first 3 days, then it would go away. These pills are HUGE.

I've noticed a bit of noise in my neck, which concerns me a bit. You might be able to hear it with a stethoscope. Maybe I'll try the jello stuff.

but it wouldn't rub off the extra 30 lbs. I carry on them.

But seriously, folks. I'll save your post because it has some things I hadn't heard about for joint problems. (I have osteoarthritis which doesn't bother me much, but I'm always looking ...)
I used the MSM stuff for a while and never noticed a gas problem.
The rotten-egg odor is hydrogen sulphide or a related product, not elemental sulphur. You must have some elves running a strange chemical lab in your gut.
The Knox people have been selling plain gelatin for years for 'stronger fingernails' on the same principle as your Jello. You might try it.

from Awake! of 8/8/05

"... In addition to being a marvelous food-a veritable storehouse of B vitamins, various minerals, and antioxidants-honey is one of the oldest known medicines in continuous use. Dr. May Berenbaum, an entomologist with the University of Illinois, U.S.A., comments: "Honey has been used for centuries to treat a wide range of medical problems like wounds, burns, cataracts, skin ulcers and scrapes." ... It was noted that [butn] patients had a faster healing time and less pain and scarring when honey dressings were used [in the hospital, not in the field as first aid].

Studies show that because of an enzyme added to the nectar by the bees, honey has mild antibacterial and antibiotic properties. This enzyme generates hydrogen peroxide, which kills harmful bacteria. (Since the enzyme is destroyed by heating and exposure to light, unpasteurized honey is used for medicinal purposes.) Additionally, applied topically, honey has been found to reduce inflammation and to promote the growth of healthy tissue. Thus, New Zealand biochemist Dr. Peter Molan says: "Honey is becoming accepted as a reputable and effective therapeutic agent by practitioners of conventional medicine." In fact, the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration has approved honey as a medicine, and medical honey is being marketed as a wound dressing in that country."

Article also had some useful notes on cooking with honey in place of sugar.

Sounds good medicine. Honey can sit for a long time on a shelf and still be good, self preserving. One of my daughters likes to have it on those Popeye biscuits. I haven't had any in a while, but just talking about it making me a bit hungry for some, lol.

Honey is impervious to bacteria. Probably to viruses, too.

to become "mead".

NOT likely in one of our mags.

I had some years ago and noticed that it's so smooth you can be on your fourth stein by the time you realize that the second was one too many.

betting the farm on because they're so different, physically and biologically.
That said, I'm inclined to agree with you. Remember that the number one topical treatment for viruses (aside from avoidance) is ordinary chlorine bleach; drugstore H2O2 is also a bleach and disinfectant. And the consensus of the posts here is that the honey puts a protective coating on the boo-boo area during healing, without allowing any bad developments underneath.

And saw this:
Most microorganisms do not grow in honey because of its low water activity of 0.6[2]. However, it is important to note that honey frequently contains dormant endospores of the bacteria Clostridium botulinum, which can be dangerous to infants as the endospores can transform into toxin-producing bacteria in the infant's immature intestinal tract, leading to illness and even death[3] (See "Precautions" below).

So I guess you have to watch out for the little ones.

from my first post:
""Honey isn't for everybody, however," cautions the report. It is estimated that botulism spores are present in up to 5 percent of honey. Such agencies as Health Canada's Botulism Reference Service as well as pediatric societies advise against giving honey to children under one year of age because "infants have not yet developed sufficient intestinal microflora to protect them from the bacterium.""

Same thought; more specifics. That 5% must be pretty good odds, given how many parents must be giving honey to their infants just to "make the medicine go down".

Here in NM many of us - native and immigrant - have pollen allergies. It's the custom to pass around honey from the local hives as a 'hair of the dog' remedy. Also bee pollen ditto. It's supposed to work for some, but I always had an allergic reaction to more than a couple of grains of pollen (possibly verifying the idea), but I never noticed any improvement from the honey.

Speaking of tastes, I love honey in my tea, but NEVER in my coffee.

peanut butter and honey or just butter and honey instead of jelly or jam. The downside is that honey tends to want to continuously make us aware of the laws of gravity. It seeps and oozes ever so slowly downward. Ever wonder why a honeyjar is always stuck to the surface when you go to pick it up? Keeping the sandwich in constant rotation helps. You can lick the seepage from your hands and fingers but from your shirt and trousers is sort of uncouth.

porridge, semolina and tapioca all improve with honey

also a spoon of honey stirred into a salad dressing or added to the vinegar when you make pickles will add a lot


jonah "reincarnation of Winnie the Pooh" jones


.,

And when it gloms up with the Cheerios it makes candy.

is what they call me every time I do it.