The microbiology of honey: A sweet symphony of life

Honey, a complex substance made by a variety of species of bees, is often celebrated for its sweetness and health benefits. In fact, humans have been using honey, sometimes called liquid gold, for generations to soothe cold symptoms and promote wound healing, citing its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Is there scientific merit to these claims, and, if so, what gives honey its medicinal properties?