Therapeutic Potential of Native Chilean Honeys: Their Projection as Medical Grade Honey (MGH)
DOI :
Carolina Schencke & Jessica Salvo
Summary
Honey, composed of a diverse combination of compounds produced by bees, has been recognized as a substance of high nutritional value along with therapeutic properties. As a result of the reported properties, it is currently being used in traditional medicine as an alternative for the treatment of a number of clinical conditions. The objective of this review was to analyze the evidence of the bioactive properties of native Chilean honeys and their therapeutic potential as Medical-Grade Honey (MGH). A literature search was conducted in the PubMed, Scopus, and WoS databases for the last ten years, using the search terms "Honey bee," "bioactive compounds," "wounds and injuries," "Chilean honey," and "medical-grade honey" as free-text terms. Scientific evidence supports the efficacy of native Chilean honey and opens a promising path for the establishment of MGH honey, which should be based on two main pillars: antimicrobial activity and pro-healing activity. Despite the outstanding bioactive, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and healing properties of native Chilean monofloral honeys, few of these are classified as MGH honeys. In conclusion, native Chilean honeys represent a valuable natural resource with an outstanding potential for the development of functional and pharmaceutical products, thanks to the synergistic action of their bioactive compounds with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and regenerative properties. This constitutes a valuable opportunity to advance their research and validation as MGH honeys, which could enhance their value and application in the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries.
SCHENCKE, C. & SALVO, J. Potencial terapéutico de las mieles nativas chilenas: Su proyección como miel grado médico (MGM). Int. J. Morphol., 43(6):2147-2154, 2025.