Leptospermum honey – A medicinal wonder for periodontal health

Abstract

Antibacterial therapy has always been included effectively in the regimen of periodontitis. The inability to access periodontal disease-causing organisms within periodontal pockets has limited the effectiveness of mechanical plaque removal and the use of antibacterial agents. The drug’s systemic administration results in therapeutic concentrations at the site of infection, but only in the short term, necessitating repeated dosing over longer periods. Topical antibiotics have been studied for their ability to overcome the limitations of conventional therapy. It is of interest to use sustained release formulations to deliver antimicrobial agents to the site of infection (periodontal pocket). At much lower doses, these products provide long-term treatment at the site of infection. From time immemorial, honey is not only considered as a natural sweetener but is also used for its healing power. It is used in traditional folk and tribal medicines and 93% of the consumers of honey use it for its medicinal value. Active Leptospermum Honey (ALH) is the most researched medical grade honey for wound and burn treatment. This article documents the efficacy of ALH as a topical drug delivery system in patients with chronic periodontal disease.