Based on NIH | Is there clinical evidence that honey can effectively treat melanoma?

There is currently no reliable clinical evidence in humans that honey including Manuka honey can effectively treat melanoma. Major melanoma treatment guidelines and trusted medical references do not list honey as a proven therapy, and they focus on surgery, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, radiation, and clinical trials. ^{[1] [2]}

What the evidence shows

• Laboratory and animal studies: Manuka honey has shown anticancer signals in test tubes and mice, including slowing melanoma cell growth and promoting cancer cell death, and it improved survival when combined with chemotherapy in a mouse melanoma model. However, these findings are preclinical and have not been confirmed in people. ^[3]
• Human clinical trials: There are no published randomized clinical trials or well-documented human studies showing that oral or topical honey treats melanoma or improves melanoma outcomes. Current clinical research in melanoma centers on immunotherapies (like PD‑1/CTLA‑4 inhibitors), targeted therapies (for BRAF/MEK alterations), surgery, and radiotherapy, not honey. ^{[4] [5]}

How melanoma is treated today

• Standard care depends on stage and may include surgery (wide local excision and sentinel lymph node biopsy), adjuvant or metastatic immunotherapy, targeted therapy for actionable mutations, and radiation in select cases. These approaches are supported by established guidelines and ongoing clinical trials. ^{[1] [2]}
• Radiation can be used post‑operatively in specific high‑risk scenarios according to contemporary guidance. This is part of evidence‑based care; honey is not included in such protocols. ^[6]

Where honey may help

• Wound care: Medical‑grade honey can aid healing of certain wounds and burns, and is generally safe for topical use in adults. This relates to skin healing not to treating melanoma itself. ^{[7] [8]}

Safety and practical considerations

• Do not delay or replace proven treatments with honey, as postponing surgery or systemic therapy can allow melanoma to progress. If you’re interested in complementary approaches, discuss them with your oncology team to avoid interactions and to stay aligned with guideline‑based care. ^{[1] [2]}
• Clinical trials remain the best route to access new therapies being studied for melanoma, with rigorous safety and efficacy monitoring. Oncology centers actively evaluate novel drugs and combinations under formal trials. ^{[4] [5]}

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Bottom line

• No human clinical evidence: Honey has shown anticancer activity in lab and animal melanoma models but has not been proven to treat melanoma in people. ^[3]
• Stick to guideline‑supported care: Effective, evidence‑based options include surgery, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, radiation (in select cases), and participation in clinical trials. Honey may have a role in wound care, not as a melanoma treatment. ^{[1] [2] [7] [8]}