Bee products and the treatment of blister-like lesions around the mouth, skin and genitalia caused by herpes viruses-A systematic review

Münstedt, K.

Complement Ther Med (2019) 43: 81–84

DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2019.01.014

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To assess the value of bee products with respect to antiviral efficacy against herpes viruses. DESIGN: A systematic review was done using the JUSTfind System of the Justus-Liebig-University Gießen and Scopus. RESULTS: Three trials on honey and 6 trials on propolis were conducted. Each trial provided evidence that these two bee products are interesting alternatives to acyclovir, especially propolis, which was found to be superior to acyclovir in 4 trials. CONCLUSIONS: The evidence from these trials suggests that propolis is the best of all natural possibilities in the treatment of herpetic skin lesions, especially those related to HSV-1. Future studies should analyse if propolis could be an adjunct to treatment with acyclovir. For lesions in the oral cavity, honey could be an interesting alternative.

Citation

Münstedt, K. (2019). Bee products and the treatment of blister-like lesions around the mouth, skin and genitalia caused by herpes viruses-A systematic review. Complement Ther Med, 43, 81–84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2019.01.014 Animals, Humans, Acyclovir/pharmacology, Antiviral Agents/*pharmacology, Bees/*metabolism, Blister/*drug therapy/virology, Genitalia/*drug effects/virology, Herpes simplex virus, Honey, Mouth/*drug effects/virology, Propolis, Propolis/pharmacology, Simplexvirus/*drug effects, Skin/*drug effects/virology, Varicella zoster virus

Keywords

• Animals
• Humans
• Acyclovir/pharmacology
• Antiviral Agents/*pharmacology
• Bees/*metabolism
• Blister/*drug therapy/virology
• Genitalia/*drug effects/virology
• Herpes simplex virus
• Honey
• Mouth/*drug effects/virology
• Propolis
• Propolis/pharmacology
• Simplexvirus/*drug effects
• Skin/*drug effects/virology
• Varicella zoster virus