Tuesday November 4 / 2007

12:20: Having people over to the house this holiday season? Are you having a full fledged four alarm holiday emergency trying to figure WHAT IN THE HECK to serve? Who better to save the day than the LCBO?? They’re pouring on some suggestions for pairing food and drink, issues surrounding responsible hosting, as well as general tips to make your holiday entertaining a success.

Guest: Jack Blair, Product Consultant, LCBO. 905.304.9608

12:35: Cancer is a word that resonates so deeply with so many. Those diagnosed with cancer today have a much greater shot of beating it than those in the past due to advances in research and the great care available at area institutions. Here in Hamilton, we have just been reminded of how lucky we are to have a place like the Juravinski Cancer Centre, and how privileged we are to have someone like Dr. Bill Evans running the show. Dr. Evans has just been given an award for Lifetime contribution to quality & innovation, sponsored by CCO, CCS, Ontario Division as well as Cancer Quality Council of Ontario.

Guest: Dr. Bill Evans, President, Juravinski Cancer Centre and Regional VP of Cancer Care Ontario.

12:45: DayNight Pharmacy segment.

Guest: Hilton

The healing properties of Honey and it's history in Pharmacy ! Not just for toast anymore !

Honey is as old as written history, dating back to 2100BC where it was mentioned in Sumerian and Babylonian writings, and the sacred writings of India & Egypt. It is presumably even older than that. Honey was valued highly and often used as a form of currency, tribute or offering. In the 11th century A.D. German peasants paid their feudal lords in honey and beeswax. Honey is made up of simple sugars converted by a secretion from the bees salivary tract, it is therefore easily absorbed and is a source of quick energy. It promotes the correct working of the digestive organs and can be used as a laxative. When honey is applied to burns it will prevent the formation of blisters and promote quick healing of the skin. Honey can absorb moisture and it has been prized for its mild antibiotic properties for centuries due to this fact. Where bacteria is trapped in honey, the honey will absorb moisture from the bacteria ans so will kill it off. Manuka Honey is from the Tee Tree and has very antibacterial and antiseptic properties. There are more than 300 types of honey, varying in flavour and colours, from pale yellow to dark amber, it depends on the type of blossoms visited by the honey bee. because of its high sugar, low protein composition, honey acts as a natural antimicrobial that limits the growth of bacteria by cutting off the supply of water and nitrogen . When applied to a wound it is diluted with fluids from the damaged tissue and combines with an enzyme added by the bee to form hydrogen peroxide, the very same found in pharmacies. This naturally occurring hydrogen peroxide promotes healing and reduces scarring as it slowly released into the wound. Researchers in New Zealand have found that honey actually killed a number of highly contagious antibiotic-resistant viruses ( superbugs) The honey has proven to kill 100 different strains, while this looks promising for scientists, and health care the team have yet to identify the powerful antimicrobail agent. In Australia honey is available in pharmacies as a wound dressing. Honey used for medicinal purposes has not been pasteurized or heated, unlike most commercial honey.