TABLE 2.
Shows summary of the disease model, experimental design and study outcome of reported clinical studies on the anti-allergic potential of various types of honey.
| Author | Type of allergic disease | Type of honey | Number of patients | Age and gender | Grouping and treatment method | Honey treatment frequency | Scoring scale on disease symptoms | Symptoms evaluated | Study outcome (improvement of disease symptoms) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alangari et al. (2017) | Atopic Dermatitis | Manuka honey | 14 | Gender: 8 Female; 6 Male Mean age: 23–43 years |
All participants: topical application of honey over the skin lesions at night and cover it with gauze. Remove the covering and wash the site in the morning | Once/day for 1 week | 0 to 9 points (Three Item Severity Score) | Erythema Edema/papulation Excoriation |
Yes | NA |
| Al-Waili et al. (2003) | Atopic Dermatitis | Natural unprocessed honey | 21 | Gender: 4 Female; 17 Male Age range: 5–16 years |
Group 1 (10 participants with no topical treatment during recruitment) Right side body skin lesions: topical application of Vaseline Left side body skin lesions: topical application of honey mixture Group 2 (11 participants with ongoing topical corticosteriods treatment during recruitment) Right side body skin lesions: topical application of Vaseline and betamethasone esters 0.1% Left side body skin lesions: topical application of honey mixture with corticosteroids ointment |
Three times/day for 2 weeks | 0 to 4 points | Erythema Scaling Lichenification Excoriation Indurations/papulation Oozing/crusting Pruritis |
Yes | Most patients also successfully reduced their dose of corticosteroid in honey mixture |
| Asha'ari et al. (2013) | Allergic rhinitis | Tualang honey | 40 | Gender: 26 Female; 14 Male Age range: 20–50 years |
Group 1 (20 participants): daily 10 mg of loratadine for 4 weeks Oral ingestion of honey-flavored corn syrup (placebo) for another 4 weeks Group 2 (20 participations): daily 10 mg of loratadine for 4 weeks Oral ingestion of Tualang honey at 1 g/kg body weight for another 4 weeks |
Once/day for 28 days | 0 to 4 points (Allergic Rhinitis and Its Impact on Asthma Classification) | Nasal blockage Rhinorrhea Hyposmia Nasal, eye and palatal itchiness Sneezing |
Yes | NA |
| Thamboo et al. (2011) | Allergic Fungal Rhinosinusitis | Manuka honey | 34 | Gender: No data Age range: >19 years |
All participants: Intranasal application of 2 ml 1:1 honey/saline mixture using a mucosal atomization device in selected nostril | Once/day for 30 days | 0 to 9 points (Philpott-Javer Endoscopic Scoring System) | Mucosal oedema and polyps Presence of mucin |
No | Only nine out of 34 patients showed improment |
| Rajan et al. (2002) | Allergic rhinoconjunctivitis | Local honey Clover honey |
36 | Gender: 24 Female; 12 Male Age range: 20–72 years |
Group 1 (12 participants): Oral ingestion of locally collected honey Group 2 (12 participants): Oral ingestion of Clover honey Group 3 (12 participants): Oral ingestion of honey-flavored corn syrup (placebo) |
Once/day for 30 weeks | 0 to 3 points | Nasal symptoms: Runny nose Sneezing Itchy nose Post-nasal drip Stuffy/blocked nose Ocular symptoms: Sore eyes Swollen eyes Watery eyes Itchy eyes |
No | NA |
NA, Not applicable.