{ "slug": "honey-hemorrhoid", "question": "Does putting honey on hemorrhoids help?", "shortTitle": "Honey for hemorrhoids", "clinicalQuestion": "In adults with symptomatic hemorrhoids, does topical application of honey reduce pain, bleeding, itching, or healing time compared with no treatment or standard care?", "pico": { "population": "Adults with symptomatic hemorrhoids (internal or external)", "intervention": "Topical application of honey to hemorrhoids", "comparator": "No treatment, placebo, or usual care (e.g., topical creams, sitz baths)", "outcomes": [ "Pain score reduction", "Rectal bleeding frequency or amount", "Itching or irritation severity", "Time to symptom resolution", "Healing time of hemorrhoidal tissue", "Recurrence of symptoms" ] }, "category": "anorectal", "relatedConditions": [ "hemorrhoids" ], "relatedTreatments": [], "relatedEvidence": [], "bottomLine": { "verdict": "One tiny, uncontrolled study found a honey mixture eased bleeding and itching in hemorrhoid patients, but the evidence is too weak to call this proven.", "detail": "The only direct evidence comes from 15 people who used a honey, olive oil, and beeswax ointment, compared to their own symptoms before treatment — there was no separate comparison group. No trial has tested honey alone, and no study has compared honey against standard hemorrhoid treatments or against doing nothing in a controlled way.", "studyIds": [ "pmid:17369999" ] }, "strength": { "level": "very-low", "why": "The only direct evidence is 1 small or uncontrolled study.", "override": null }, "direction": { "level": "probable-benefit", "why": "The evidence points to a benefit, but it is not strong enough to be confident.", "override": null }, "counts": { "recordsRetrieved": 9, "recordsScreened": 9, "included": 6, "rcts": 0, "systematicReviews": 0, "observational": 0, "participants": 30, "yearFrom": 2006, "yearTo": 2026, "registeredTrialsWithoutResults": 0 }, "excluded": [], "outcomes": [ { "name": "Pain score reduction", "status": "insufficient", "note": "Pain scores were measured, but the significant drop reported was in patients with anal fissure, not in the hemorrhoid patients specifically. It isn't clear from this study whether hemorrhoid pain improved.", "studyIds": [ "pmid:17369999" ] }, { "name": "Rectal bleeding frequency or amount", "status": "possible-improvement", "note": "In 15 people with hemorrhoids, bleeding was reported as significantly reduced after using a honey, olive oil, and beeswax ointment, compared with their symptoms before treatment. There was no control group, so it's unclear how much of this was due to the ointment itself.", "studyIds": [ "pmid:17369999" ] }, { "name": "Itching or irritation severity", "status": "possible-improvement", "note": "The same small study found less itching after treatment in hemorrhoid patients, again without a comparison group to rule out natural improvement over time.", "studyIds": [ "pmid:17369999" ] }, { "name": "Time to symptom resolution", "status": "not-studied", "note": "No study measured how long it took for symptoms to go away with or without honey.", "studyIds": [] }, { "name": "Healing time of hemorrhoidal tissue", "status": "not-studied", "note": "No study measured actual tissue healing time in hemorrhoid patients.", "studyIds": [] }, { "name": "Recurrence of symptoms", "status": "not-studied", "note": "No study followed patients to see if hemorrhoid symptoms came back after treatment stopped.", "studyIds": [] } ], "benefits": [ { "text": "In a small, uncontrolled study of 15 people, a honey-based ointment (mixed with olive oil and beeswax) was linked to less bleeding and itching in hemorrhoid patients after treatment.", "studyIds": [ "pmid:17369999" ] } ], "limitations": [ { "text": "The only study on actual hemorrhoid patients had no control group — everyone received the ointment, and their symptoms were simply compared to before treatment, which can't rule out natural improvement over time.", "studyIds": [ "pmid:17369999" ] }, { "text": "That study tested honey mixed with olive oil and beeswax, not honey by itself, so it can't tell us whether honey alone would do the same thing.", "studyIds": [ "pmid:17369999" ] }, { "text": "The sample was very small, just 15 people, and there was no comparison group — symptoms were only compared before and after treatment in the same patients.", "studyIds": [ "pmid:17369999" ] }, { "text": "Most of the other available sources are general reviews or traditional-use reports that mention honey for piles (hemorrhoids) without any patient data, outcome measurement, or study design.", "studyIds": [ "pmid:28539734", "pmid:24305429", "pmid:23559786" ] }, { "text": "One source describes traditional healers in Ethiopia using honey mixed with other substances, but it only reports healers' own confidence, not measured patient results.", "studyIds": [ "pmid:42163169" ] }, { "text": "Lab and animal studies showing honey kills bacteria were done in mice and test tubes, not in people with hemorrhoids, so they don't tell us whether honey helps hemorrhoid symptoms in humans.", "studyIds": [ "pmid:35752262" ] } ], "risks": [ { "text": "The one small, uncontrolled study of a honey-olive oil-beeswax mixture in hemorrhoid and fissure patients tracked bleeding, itching, swelling, and redness, and found these symptoms improved after treatment; it did not separately report on adverse reactions or side effects, so whether the mixture itself causes any reaction beyond these measured symptoms is not established by this evidence.", "studyIds": [ "pmid:17369999" ], "severity": "minor" }, { "text": "That same small study applied a honey-based mixture directly onto irritated skin (hemorrhoids and anal fissures) and measured swelling and redness, finding these decreased rather than worsened; but because there was no control group and no specific reporting on infection, it cannot rule out that honey's sugary, sticky texture might occasionally cause local irritation or infection in some people.", "studyIds": [ "pmid:17369999" ], "severity": "minor" } ], "whyPeopleTryIt": [ { "text": "Honey is cheap, easy to find at home, and feels like a gentle, natural option compared with medicated creams." }, { "text": "It has a long history of folk and traditional use for hemorrhoids and skin complaints, which makes it feel trustworthy." }, { "text": "People know honey has antibacterial properties and reason it might help calm irritated or broken skin." }, { "text": "Applying something soothing can feel like doing something proactive when symptoms are uncomfortable and embarrassing to discuss with a doctor." } ], "keyStudies": [ "pmid:17369999", "pmid:42163169", "pmid:23559786", "pmid:24305429", "pmid:28539734", "pmid:35752262" ], "studies": [ { "id": "pmid:42163169", "pmid": "42163169", "doi": "10.1186/s12906-026-05410-6", "nctId": null, "pmcid": "PMC13366706", "title": "Assessment of the perceptions and practices of traditional hemorrhoid healers in the North Gondar Zone, Ethiopia", "firstAuthor": "Alula", "multipleAuthors": true, "journal": "BMC Complement Med Ther", "year": 2026, "design": "case-series", "n": 15, "nField": "reported", "population": "Traditional hemorrhoid healers in a rural area of Ethiopia", "intervention": "Topical application of medicinal plants combined with butter or honey, herbal fumigation, or sitz baths for hemorrhoids", "comparator": "No comparator group or treatment", "primaryOutcome": "Healers' own reported diagnostic methods, treatments, and perceived effectiveness of their treatments", "result": "Healers reported strong confidence in effectiveness for early-stage hemorrhoids but limited effectiveness in severe cases; no measured patient outcomes were reported", "resultDirection": "unclear", "quality": "very-low", "qualityWhy": "This is a qualitative interview study of healers' self-reported beliefs, not a controlled test of whether honey actually treats hemorrhoids in patients.", "directness": "indirect", "limitations": "Qualitative design based on healer self-report, no biomedical diagnostic confirmation, no patient outcome measurement, no control group, small purposive sample of healers rather than patients.", "followUp": "", "plainFinding": "Healers believe it helps, unproven", "retracted": false, "expressionOfConcern": false, "hasErratum": false, "url": "https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42163169/", "sourceText": "BACKGROUND: Hemorrhoids are a common but often under-reported health problem in Ethiopia, particularly in rural areas where access to biomedical services is limited. In such contexts, traditional healers play an important role in providing care for sensitive conditions, including hemorrhoids. However, empirical evidence on their practices remains limited. This study aimed to explore the diagnostic methods, treatment approaches, perceived effectiveness, and sustainability challenges of traditional hemorrhoid healers in the North Gondar Zone. METHODS: A qualitative cross-sectional study design was employed. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 purposively selected traditional healers. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify key themes related to diagnosis, treatment, and challenges. RESULTS: The findings showed that hemorrhoids were primarily diagnosed through direct physical examination and patient-reported symptoms, without the use of biomedical diagnostic tools. Treatments mainly involved locally sourced medicinal plants, often combined with substances such as butter or honey, and administered through topical applications, herbal fumigation, or sitz baths. Participants reported strong confidence in the effectiveness of these treatments for early-stage hemorrhoids, while acknowledging limited effectiveness in severe cases. Key challenges included lack of legal recognition, environmental degradation affecting medicinal plant availability, social stigma, and weak collaboration with the biomedical sector. CONCLUSION: Traditional healers play a significant role as primary healthcare providers in underserved communities. Strengthening their role through formal recognition, promoting sustainable use of medicinal plants, and fostering collaboration with biomedical services may improve healthcare delivery.", "provenance": [ { "field": "n", "quote": "In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 purposively selected traditional healers." }, { "field": "population", "quote": "traditional hemorrhoid healers in the North Gondar Zone" }, { "field": "intervention", "quote": "Treatments mainly involved locally sourced medicinal plants, often combined with substances such as butter or honey, and administered through topical applications, herbal fumigation, or sitz baths." }, { "field": "comparator", "quote": "A qualitative cross-sectional study design was employed." }, { "field": "primaryOutcome", "quote": "This study aimed to explore the diagnostic methods, treatment approaches, perceived effectiveness, and sustainability challenges of traditional hemorrhoid healers" }, { "field": "result", "quote": "Participants reported strong confidence in the effectiveness of these treatments for early-stage hemorrhoids, while acknowledging limited effectiveness in severe cases." } ] }, { "id": "pmid:35752262", "pmid": "35752262", "doi": "10.1016/j.jep.2022.115499", "nctId": null, "pmcid": null, "title": "The in vitro and in vivo antibacterial activities of uniflorous honey from a medicinal plant, Scrophularia ningpoensis Hemsl., and characterization of its chemical profile with UPLC-MS/MS", "firstAuthor": "Lin", "multipleAuthors": true, "journal": "J Ethnopharmacol", "year": 2022, "design": "lab", "n": null, "nField": "not-reported", "population": "mice with skin or systemic bacterial infections, and bacteria in test tubes", "intervention": "honey from the medicinal plant Scrophularia ningpoensis (figwort honey)", "comparator": "other medicinal plant honeys and manuka honey", "primaryOutcome": "antibacterial activity against infection-causing bacteria", "result": "figwort honey killed bacteria strongly, similar to manuka honey, and reduced bacterial load and inflammation markers in infected mice", "resultDirection": "benefit", "quality": "very-low", "qualityWhy": "This is lab and animal research on bacterial infections generally, not a human study of hemorrhoids, so it cannot show whether honey helps hemorrhoid symptoms.", "directness": "indirect", "limitations": "Study used in vitro bacterial assays and mouse models of skin/systemic infection, not humans or hemorrhoid patients; no mention of hemorrhoids being tested.", "followUp": "", "plainFinding": "Antibacterial honey, not tested on hemorrhoids", "retracted": false, "expressionOfConcern": false, "hasErratum": false, "url": "https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35752262/", "sourceText": "ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: According to the Compendium of Materia Medica, honey has been used as a traditional medicine in treatment against mucositis, tinea, hemorrhoids and psoriasis. In complementary medicine, due to its significant antimicrobial activity, honey has been widely used as a remedy for skin wounds and gastrohelcosis for thousands of years. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study is aimed at exploring the antimicrobial activity and mechanisms of honey sourced from medicinal plants, and revealing the composition-activity relationship, to facilitate their complementary and alternative application in the therapy of bacterial infectious diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight kinds of medicinal plant-derived uniflorous honey, native to China, were gathered. Their antimicrobial activities were evaluated in vitro, and then in vivo with the systemically infected mouse model and the acute skin infection model. SYTOX uptake assay, scanning electron microscopy, DNA binding assay, and quantitative real-time PCR, were carried out to elucidate the antibacterial mechanisms. This was followed by an investigation of the componential profile with the UPLC-MS/MS technique. RESULTS: It was found that Scrophularia ningpoensis Hemsl. (figwort) honey (S. ningpoensis honey) exhibited broad-spectrum and the strongest antibacterial potency (MICs of 7.81-125.00%, w/v), comparable to manuka honey. In the in vivo assays, S. ningpoensis honey significantly decreased the bacterial load of the muscles under the acute MRSA-infected skin wounds; the sera level of TNF-α in the S. aureus and P. aeruginosa-infected mice decreased by 45.38% and 51.75%, respectively, after the treatment of S. ningpoensis honey (125 mg/10 g). It was capable of killing bacteria through disrupting the cell membranes and the genomic DNA, as well as down-regulating the expression of genes associated with virulence, biofilm formation and invasion, including icaA, icaD, eno, sarA, agrA, sigB, fib and ebps in S. aureus, and lasI, lasR, rhlI, rhlR and algC in P. aeruginosa. Apart from H2O2, some other nonperoxide compounds such as adenosine, chavicol, 4-methylcatechol, trehalose, palmitoleic acid and salidroside, might play a vital role in the antibacterial properties of S. ningpoensis honey. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to thoroughly investigate the antibacterial activity, mode of action, and componential profile of S. ningpoensis honey. It suggested that S. ningpoensis honey might be a potential supplement or substitute for manuka honey, for the prevention or treatment of bacterial infections. It will facilitate the precise application of medicinal plant-sourced honey, provide a new thread for the development of antibacterial drugs, and assist in the distinction of different kinds of honey.", "provenance": [ { "field": "population", "quote": "the systemically infected mouse model and the acute skin infection model" }, { "field": "intervention", "quote": "Scrophularia ningpoensis Hemsl. (figwort) honey (S. ningpoensis honey)" }, { "field": "comparator", "quote": "comparable to manuka honey" }, { "field": "primaryOutcome", "quote": "Their antimicrobial activities were evaluated in vitro, and then in vivo" }, { "field": "result", "quote": "the sera level of TNF-α in the S. aureus and P. aeruginosa-infected mice decreased by 45.38% and 51.75%, respectively, after the treatment of S. ningpoensis honey" }, { "field": "result", "quote": "S. ningpoensis honey significantly decreased the bacterial load of the muscles under the acute MRSA-infected skin wounds" } ] }, { "id": "pmid:28539734", "pmid": "28539734", "doi": "10.4103/0974-8490.204647", "nctId": null, "pmcid": "PMC5424551", "title": "Honey and Health: A Review of Recent Clinical Research", "firstAuthor": "Samarghandian", "multipleAuthors": true, "journal": "Pharmacognosy Res", "year": 2017, "design": "narrative-review", "n": null, "nField": "not-reported", "population": "general review of honey use in various health conditions, not specific to hemorrhoid patients", "intervention": "honey used traditionally and in modern research for many conditions", "comparator": "not stated", "primaryOutcome": "no specific outcome measured for hemorrhoids; review broadly discusses honey's effects across many diseases", "result": "the abstract only lists piles (hemorrhoids) once among many traditional uses of honey, with no data, trial, or outcome reported for this condition specifically", "resultDirection": "unclear", "quality": "very-low", "qualityWhy": "this is a general narrative review that only mentions hemorrhoids as one item in a list of traditional uses, without any study design, data, or outcome specific to hemorrhoids.", "directness": "indirect", "limitations": "no systematic methodology described, no specific evidence or study cited for hemorrhoid treatment, broad review covering many unrelated conditions", "followUp": "", "plainFinding": "No evidence given for hemorrhoids.", "retracted": false, "expressionOfConcern": false, "hasErratum": false, "url": "https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28539734/", "sourceText": "UNLABELLED: Honey is one of the most appreciated and valued natural products introduced to humankind since ancient times. Honey is used not only as a nutritional product but also in health described in traditional medicine and as an alternative treatment for clinical conditions ranging from wound healing to cancer treatment. The aim of this review is to emphasize the ability of honey and its multitude in medicinal aspects. Traditionally, honey is used in the treatment of eye diseases, bronchial asthma, throat infections, tuberculosis, thirst, hiccups, fatigue, dizziness, hepatitis, constipation, worm infestation, piles, eczema, healing of ulcers, and wounds and used as a nutritious supplement. The ingredients of honey have been reported to exert antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, anticancer, and antimetastatic effects. Many evidences suggest the use of honey in the control and treatment of wounds, diabetes mellitus, cancer, asthma, and also cardiovascular, neurological, and gastrointestinal diseases. Honey has a potential therapeutic role in the treatment of disease by phytochemical, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. Flavonoids and polyphenols, which act as antioxidants, are two main bioactive molecules present in honey. According to modern scientific literature, honey may be useful and has protective effects for the treatment of various disease conditions such as diabetes mellitus, respiratory, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and nervous systems, even it is useful in cancer treatment because many types of antioxidant are present in honey. In conclusion, honey could be considered as a natural therapeutic agent for various medicinal purposes. Sufficient evidence exists recommending the use of honey in the management of disease conditions. Based on these facts, the use of honey in clinical wards is highly recommended. SUMMARY: There are several evidence that suggesting the usage of honey in the management of disease. Therefore, honey in clinical wards is highly recommended. Abbreviations Used: WA: Water activity, RDI: Recommended daily intake, Si: Silicon, RB: Rubidium, V: Vanadium, Zr: Zirconium, Li: Lithium, Sr: Strontium, Pb: Lead, Cd: Cadmium, As: Arsenic, MIC: Minimum inhibitory concentration, PARP: Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase, ROS: Reactive oxygen species, iNOS: Inducible nitric oxide synthase, NKcells: Natural killer cells, SCFA: Short-chain fatty acid, CRP: C-reactive protein.", "provenance": [ { "field": "population", "quote": "Honey is one of the most appreciated and valued natural products introduced to humankind since ancient times." }, { "field": "intervention", "quote": "Traditionally, honey is used in the treatment of eye diseases, bronchial asthma, throat infections, tuberculosis, thirst, hiccups, fatigue, dizziness, hepatitis, constipation, worm infestation, piles, eczema, healing of ulcers, and wounds and used as a nutritious supplement." }, { "field": "comparator", "quote": "UNLABELLED: Honey is one of the most appreciated and valued natural products introduced to humankind since ancient times." }, { "field": "primaryOutcome", "quote": "The aim of this review is to emphasize the ability of honey and its multitude in medicinal aspects." }, { "field": "result", "quote": "Traditionally, honey is used in the treatment of eye diseases, bronchial asthma, throat infections, tuberculosis, thirst, hiccups, fatigue, dizziness, hepatitis, constipation, worm infestation, piles, eczema, healing of ulcers, and wounds and used as a nutritious supplement." } ] }, { "id": "pmid:24305429", "pmid": "24305429", "doi": "10.1111/jocd.12058", "nctId": null, "pmcid": null, "title": "Honey in dermatology and skin care: a review", "firstAuthor": "Burlando", "multipleAuthors": true, "journal": "J Cosmet Dermatol", "year": 2013, "design": "narrative-review", "n": null, "nField": "not-reported", "population": "people with skin conditions including hemorrhoids", "intervention": "honey", "comparator": "not stated", "primaryOutcome": "not stated specifically for hemorrhoids", "result": "honey is mentioned as having been used in treatments for hemorrhoids, but no outcome data are given", "resultDirection": "unclear", "quality": "very-low", "qualityWhy": "this is a broad narrative review that only lists hemorrhoids among many skin conditions honey has been used for, without presenting any study data or outcomes for it", "directness": "indirect", "limitations": "abstract gives no study design, patient numbers, or results specific to hemorrhoid treatment with honey", "followUp": "", "plainFinding": "No evidence reported here.", "retracted": false, "expressionOfConcern": false, "hasErratum": false, "url": "https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24305429/", "sourceText": "Honey is a bee-derived, supersaturated solution composed mainly of fructose and glucose, and containing proteins and amino acids, vitamins, enzymes, minerals, and other minor components. Historical records of honey skin uses date back to the earliest civilizations, showing that honey has been frequently used as a binder or vehicle, but also for its therapeutic virtues. Antimicrobial properties are pivotal in dermatological applications, owing to enzymatic H2 O2 release or the presence of active components, like methylglyoxal in manuka, while medical-grade honey is also available. Honey is particularly suitable as a dressing for wounds and burns and has also been included in treatments against pityriasis, tinea, seborrhea, dandruff, diaper dermatitis, psoriasis, hemorrhoids, and anal fissure. In cosmetic formulations, it exerts emollient, humectant, soothing, and hair conditioning effects, keeps the skin juvenile and retards wrinkle formation, regulates pH and prevents pathogen infections. Honey-based cosmetic products include lip ointments, cleansing milks, hydrating creams, after sun, tonic lotions, shampoos, and conditioners. The used amounts range between 1 and 10%, but concentrations up to 70% can be reached by mixing with oils, gel, and emulsifiers, or polymer entrapment. Intermediate-moisture, dried, and chemically modified honeys are also used. Mechanisms of action on skin cells are deeply conditioned by the botanical sources and include antioxidant activity, the induction of cytokines and matrix metalloproteinase expression, as well as epithelial-mesenchymal transition in wounded epidermis. Future achievements, throwing light on honey chemistry and pharmacological traits, will open the way to new therapeutic approaches and add considerable market value to the product.", "provenance": [ { "field": "intervention", "quote": "Honey is a bee-derived, supersaturated solution composed mainly of fructose and glucose" }, { "field": "result", "quote": "has also been included in treatments against pityriasis, tinea, seborrhea, dandruff, diaper dermatitis, psoriasis, hemorrhoids, and anal fissure" }, { "field": "population", "quote": "has also been included in treatments against pityriasis, tinea, seborrhea, dandruff, diaper dermatitis, psoriasis, hemorrhoids, and anal fissure" }, { "field": "primaryOutcome", "quote": "has also been included in treatments against pityriasis, tinea, seborrhea, dandruff, diaper dermatitis, psoriasis, hemorrhoids, and anal fissure" }, { "field": "comparator", "quote": "has also been included in treatments against pityriasis, tinea, seborrhea, dandruff, diaper dermatitis, psoriasis, hemorrhoids, and anal fissure" } ] }, { "id": "pmid:23559786", "pmid": "23559786", "doi": "10.4103/0974-8520.105233", "nctId": null, "pmcid": "PMC3611628", "title": "Medicinal and cosmetic uses of Bee's Honey - A review", "firstAuthor": "Ediriweera", "multipleAuthors": true, "journal": "Ayu", "year": 2012, "design": "narrative-review", "n": null, "nField": "not-reported", "population": "People with various ailments, including piles (hemorrhoids)", "intervention": "Fresh bee's honey", "comparator": "", "primaryOutcome": "General traditional/medicinal uses including treatment of piles", "result": "Honey is listed among traditional uses for piles, with no specific outcome data given", "resultDirection": "unclear", "quality": "very-low", "qualityWhy": "This is a narrative review of traditional and anecdotal uses gathered from texts and interviews, not a controlled study, so it cannot show whether honey actually helps hemorrhoids.", "directness": "indirect", "limitations": "No study design, no data, no comparator, information based on traditional texts and interviews rather than clinical evidence", "followUp": "", "plainFinding": "Traditional use only, no evidence given", "retracted": false, "expressionOfConcern": false, "hasErratum": false, "url": "https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23559786/", "sourceText": "Bee's honey is one of the most valued and appreciated natural substances known to mankind since ancient times. There are many types of bee's honey mentioned in Ayurveda. Their effects differ and 'Makshika' is considered medicinally the best. According to modern scientific view, the best bee's honey is made by Apis mellifera (Family: Apidae). In Sri Lanka, the predominant honey-maker bee is Apis cerana. The aim of this survey is to emphasize the importance of bee's honey and its multitude of medicinal, cosmetic and general values. Synonyms, details of formation, constitution, properties, and method of extraction and the usages of bee's honey are gathered from text books, traditional and Ayurvedic physicians of Western and Southern provinces, villagers of 'Kalahe' in Galle district of Sri Lanka and from few search engines. Fresh bee's honey is used in treatment of eye diseases, throat infections, bronchial asthma, tuberculosis, hiccups, thirst, dizziness, fatigue, hepatitis, worm infestation, constipation, piles, eczema, healing of wounds, ulcers and used as a nutritious, easily digestible food for weak people. It promotes semen, mental health and used in cosmetic purposes. Old bee's honey is used to treat vomiting, diarrhea, rheumatoid arthritis, obesity, diabetes mellitus and in preserving meat and fruits. Highly popular in cosmetic treatment, bee's honey is used in preparing facial washes, skin moisturizers, hair conditioners and in treatment of pimples. Bee's honey could be considered as one of the finest products of nature that has a wide range of beneficial uses.", "provenance": [ { "field": "population", "quote": "Fresh bee's honey is used in treatment of eye diseases, throat infections, bronchial asthma, tuberculosis, hiccups, thirst, dizziness, fatigue, hepatitis, worm infestation, constipation, piles, eczema, healing of wounds, ulcers and used as a nutritious, easily digestible food for weak people." }, { "field": "intervention", "quote": "Fresh bee's honey is used in treatment of eye diseases, throat infections, bronchial asthma, tuberculosis, hiccups, thirst, dizziness, fatigue, hepatitis, worm infestation, constipation, piles, eczema, healing of wounds, ulcers and used as a nutritious, easily digestible food for weak people." }, { "field": "result", "quote": "Fresh bee's honey is used in treatment of eye diseases, throat infections, bronchial asthma, tuberculosis, hiccups, thirst, dizziness, fatigue, hepatitis, worm infestation, constipation, piles, eczema, healing of wounds, ulcers and used as a nutritious, easily digestible food for weak people." }, { "field": "primaryOutcome", "quote": "The aim of this survey is to emphasize the importance of bee's honey and its multitude of medicinal, cosmetic and general values." } ] }, { "id": "pmid:17369999", "pmid": "17369999", "doi": "10.1100/tsw.2006.333", "nctId": null, "pmcid": "PMC5944183", "title": "The safety and efficacy of a mixture of honey, olive oil, and beeswax for the management of hemorrhoids and anal fissure: a pilot study", "firstAuthor": "Al-Waili", "multipleAuthors": true, "journal": "ScientificWorldJournal", "year": 2006, "design": "case-series", "n": 15, "nField": "reported", "population": "patients with anal fissure or hemorrhoids", "intervention": "topical mixture of honey, olive oil, and beeswax applied for 12 hours", "comparator": "symptoms before treatment (no control group)", "primaryOutcome": "bleeding, itching, swelling, redness, and pain scores", "result": "significant reduction in bleeding and itching in hemorrhoid patients; significant reduction in pain, bleeding, and itching in fissure patients", "resultDirection": "benefit", "quality": "very-low", "qualityWhy": "This was a small uncontrolled pilot study with only 15 patients and no comparison group, so the improvement could be due to other factors.", "directness": "direct", "limitations": "Pilot study design with no control group, small sample size, and the authors themselves call for further randomized double-blind studies.", "followUp": "4 weeks", "plainFinding": "Less bleeding and itching reported.", "retracted": false, "expressionOfConcern": false, "hasErratum": false, "url": "https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17369999/", "sourceText": "We have found that a mixture of honey, olive oil, and beeswax was effective for treatment of diaper dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema, and skin fungal infection. The mixture has antibacterial properties. A prospective pilot study was conducted to evaluate the therapeutic effect of topical application of the mixture on patients with anal fissure or hemorrhoids. Fifteen consecutive patients, 13 males and 2 females, median age 45 years (range: 28-70), who presented with anal fissure (5 patients) or first- to third-degree hemorrhoids (4 with first degree, 4 with second degree, and 2 with third degree), were treated with a 12-h application of a natural mixture containing honey, olive oil, and beeswax in ratio of 1:1:1(v/v/v). Bleeding, itching, edema, and erythema were measured using a scoring method: 0 = none, 1 = mild, 2 = moderate, 3 = severe, and 4 = very severe. The pain score was checked using a visual analog scale (minimum = 0, maximum = 10). Efficacy of treatment was assessed by comparing the symptoms' score before and after treatment; at weekly intervals for a maximum of 4 weeks. The patients were observed for evidence of any adverse effect such as appearance of new signs and symptoms, or worsening of the existing symptoms. The honey mixture significantly reduced bleeding and relieved itching in patients with hemorrhoids. Patients with anal fissure showed significant reduction in pain, bleeding, and itching after the treatment. No side effect was reported with use of the mixture. We conclude that a mixture of honey, olive oil, and beeswax is safe and clinically effective in the treatment of hemorrhoids and anal fissure, which paves the way for further randomized double blind studies.", "provenance": [ { "field": "n", "quote": "Fifteen consecutive patients, 13 males and 2 females, median age 45 years (range: 28-70), who presented with anal fissure (5 patients) or first- to third-degree hemorrhoids (4 with first degree, 4 with second degree, and 2 with third degree), were treated with a 12-h application of a natural mixture containing honey, olive oil, and beeswax in ratio of 1:1:1(v/v/v)." }, { "field": "population", "quote": "patients with anal fissure or hemorrhoids" }, { "field": "intervention", "quote": "treated with a 12-h application of a natural mixture containing honey, olive oil, and beeswax in ratio of 1:1:1(v/v/v)" }, { "field": "comparator", "quote": "Efficacy of treatment was assessed by comparing the symptoms' score before and after treatment" }, { "field": "primaryOutcome", "quote": "Bleeding, itching, edema, and erythema were measured using a scoring method" }, { "field": "result", "quote": "The honey mixture significantly reduced bleeding and relieved itching in patients with hemorrhoids. Patients with anal fissure showed significant reduction in pain, bleeding, and itching after the treatment." } ] } ], "faqs": [ { "q": "Should I stop using honey on my hemorrhoids?", "a": "There's no evidence that topical honey causes harm, so using it is unlikely to hurt you. But don't rely on it alone — if you have ongoing bleeding, pain, or symptoms that aren't improving, see a doctor rather than waiting on home remedies." }, { "q": "Is this study saying honey works for hemorrhoids?", "a": "Not really. It's one small, uncontrolled study of 15 people using a honey-olive oil-beeswax mixture, not honey by itself. It hints at a possible benefit, but it can't prove honey caused the improvement." }, { "q": "Does it matter what kind of honey I use?", "a": "The only human hemorrhoid study used a specific mixture, not raw honey alone. Lab studies looking at honey's germ-killing effects used manuka and figwort honey in bacteria and mice, not in people with hemorrhoids, so there's no evidence about which type works best for this purpose." }, { "q": "What treatments have better evidence for hemorrhoids?", "a": "These particular studies didn't test or compare other treatments, so this review can't say what works better. A doctor can point you toward options that have been tested more rigorously for hemorrhoid symptoms." } ], "patientTakeaway": "The evidence for honey on hemorrhoids is extremely thin — just one small study of 15 people, with no comparison group, testing a honey mixture rather than honey alone. It's unlikely to hurt you to try, but don't count on it to treat bleeding, pain, or swelling that isn't going away. If your symptoms are bothering you or not improving, see a doctor rather than relying on honey alone.", "methodology": { "databases": [ "PubMed", "ClinicalTrials.gov", "Crossref" ], "searchStrings": { "pubmed": "(\"Honey\"[Mesh] OR honey[tiab]) AND (\"Hemorrhoids\"[Mesh] OR hemorrhoid*[tiab] OR piles[tiab])" }, "pubmedQueryTranslation": "(\"Honey\"[MeSH Terms] OR \"Honey\"[Title/Abstract]) AND (\"Hemorrhoids\"[MeSH Terms] OR \"hemorrhoid*\"[Title/Abstract] OR \"piles\"[Title/Abstract])", "searchedOn": "2026-10-05", "inclusion": [ "Human, animal or laboratory studies reporting an outcome relevant to the question" ], "exclusion": [ "Records about a different condition or intervention", "Records reporting no outcome", "Retracted publications, which are listed but excluded from every count" ], "extractionLevel": "abstract", "gradingNote": "Evidence strength is adapted from the GRADE framework. It is not a GRADE assessment and was not produced by a GRADE panel.", "limits": [ "Fields were read from abstracts, not full text, so detail reported only in a paper's methods section is not captured." ] }, "seo": { "title": "Does Honey Help Hemorrhoids? What the Evidence Shows", "description": "One small study of 15 people found a honey ointment may ease hemorrhoid bleeding and itching, but the evidence is very weak." }, "lastChecked": "2026-10-05", "lastChanged": "2026-10-05", "nextCheckDue": "2026-11-05", "history": [], "pipeline": { "screenModel": "claude-haiku-4-5", "extractModel": "claude-sonnet-5", "composeModel": "claude-sonnet-5", "promptVersion": "ev-1", "ranOn": "2026-10-05" }, "status": "published" }