Honey topical application

Adverse effects of fenvalerate on survival of terrestrial arthropods were observed at 0.002 to 0.015 pg whole-body topical application, O.llkg/ha aerial application, 5.4 mg/kg in the soil, 50 mg/kg in the diet, and 1.4 g/ant mound (Table 20.4). Synthetic pyrethroids are more effective in biological systems at low temperatures. The relative sensitivity of insects when compared with mammals is attributed in part to this negative temperature coefficient. Thus, warm-blooded animals are less affected than insects and other poikilotherms (Klaassen etal. 1986). Fenvalerate, for example, showed a negative correlation between temperature and toxicity to crickets (Acheta pennsylvanicus), being up to 1.9 times more toxic at 15°C than at 32°C (Harris etal. 1981). A similar case is made for honey bees (Apis mellifera) (Mayer et al. 1987) and for many species of aquatic invertebrates and fish (Mayer 1987). 

A recent survey about essential oils and their pure constituents used to control Varroa jacobsoni, contained three interesting tables that reported the toxicity of essential oils for V. jacobsoni and Apis mellifera after 24, 48 and 72 hours in a topical application and in an evaporation test, and the effects of essential oils on behavior and reproduction of V jacobsoni and on the bee brood [63]. The most interesting oils were those of cinnamon and clove, with 100% mite mortality after 24 h and no significant toxicity on honey bees. Furthermore, clove essential oil produced small brood mortality, and it was an inhibitor of mite reproduction. Other effective oils were anise, fennel, lavender, rosemary and wintergreen, which killed 100% mites after 48-72 hours. On the contrary, the oils obtained from garlic, onion, oregano and thyme, were found to be very toxic for honey bees. Among pure constituents, camphor, linalool, linalyl acetate and pinene resulted small brood mortality and inhibited mite reproduction. 

Sixteen adult patients with a history of recurrent attacks of herpetic lesions, eight labial and eight genital, were treated by topical application of honey for one attack and acyclovir cream for another attack. 

Exposure to Asteraceous plants may also result in the development of contact dermatitis. One Serbian study has indicated that it is not unusual to detect sensitization to chamomile (Chamomilla recutita), arnica (Arnica montana), tansy (Tanacetum vulgare), and feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) (Jovanovic et al., 2004). Contact dermatitis, along with asthma and rhinitis, may also accompany occupational exposure to chamomile (Rudzki et al., 2003) and contact dermatitis to feverfew (Hausen, 1981). Similarly, chamomile in cosmetic products can also be a cause of dermatitis (Paulsen, 2002 Rycroft, 2003). Because chamomile-containing products, particularly in shampoos and other OTC products, are so widespread, the linkage to these types of adverse events are likely underreported. Also, use of royal jelly, a thick mixture of honey, pollen, and their allergens, has been associated with several cases of bronchospasm, and topical application of concentrated forms of bee pollen (propalis) to contact dermatitis (Perharic, 1993). Milk thistle has also been known to cause urticaria (De Smet, 2004). 

Subrahmanyam, M., 1991. Topical application of honey in treatment of bum. British Journal of Surgery 78 (4), 497-498. 

Uses Skin moisturizer/penetrant for dermatology, cosmetics, and personal care prods. solubilizer for lipophilic substances phosphatidylcholine source for nutritional supplements, esp. as capsule filling mass Properties Honey yel, fluid, typ, odor dilutable with water dens. 0.9-1.0 glctr (20 C) vise, 5000 mPa S max, pH 5.5-7.5 53 3% phosphatidylcholine Use Level 5-15% topical applic. 

Topical honey application is safe and effective in the management of the signs and symptoms of recurrent lesions from labial and genital herpes. 

Al-Waili, N., Topical honey application vs. acyclovir for the treatment of recurrent herpes simplex lesions, Med. Sci. Monit., 10, MT94-98, 2004. 

---