DOCTOR’S NOTE

Honey has many health benefits

A drug-resistant bacteria that causes aggressive lung infections could be treated using manuka honey.

Researchers at Aston University found that inhaling a fine spray of the honey alongside antibiotics increased the effectiveness of the drugs against mycobacterium abscessus. The study showed eight times less antibiotics were needed to kill the bacteria when it was combined with the honey.

The bacteria is of rising concern to scientists as it is difficult to treat, especially in patients with cystic fibrosis.

Currently, infections are treated with long regimens of different antibiotics, but the success of the drugs is limited.