The Efficacy of Honey for the Treatment of Perineal Wounds Following Vaginal Birth: A Narrative Review.

Abstract

Background/Objectives: During vaginal delivery, the perineum can be damaged either by episiotomy or by a spontaneous perineal tear, leading to several complications. The wound healing process should proceed as quickly and properly as possible without an infection. Medical grade honey (MGH) may be a potent treatment option due to its antimicrobial and pro-healing activities. This literature study investigated the role of honey in the treatment of vaginal wounds after delivery. Methods: Studies published before 17 July 2024 in the PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, EBSCO host/CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases about honey, episiotomy wounds, and perineal tears, as well as those investigating wound healing and/or pain, were assessed. Results: Ten studies were included (six RCTs, of which three were double-blind, one was quasi-experimental with a posttest only, and three were observational studies without a control group), with 723 participants in total. Six of the seven controlled studies showed honey significantly improved various outcome measures, such as improved wound healing, and reduced need for pain medication. The three non-controlled studies also had a positive outcome, improving wound healing and decreasing pain intensity and prickling sensation. However, the overall quality of available evidence is limited. Different types of honey concentrations, origins, and additives were used in the included studies. Using a standardized MGH formulation may help to maintain consistent and potent effects. Therefore, additional research is needed to determine the efficacy of MGH in perineal trauma and to establish guidelines for clinical use. Conclusions: Honey potentially has a great effect on wound healing of perineal trauma; however, more research is necessary to substantiate the findings in the current literature.