Ten Fantastic Benefits of Honey

Honey has been used as a medicinal remedy throughout time. The ancient Greeks, Romans and Egyptians used it regularly and it is still popular today, both medicinally and as a sweetener for cakes and drinks and to spread onto bread. Honey can be kept indefinitely without going off because of its unique chemical composition. This was shown when pots of perfectly preserved honey were found during excavations of ancient Egyptian tombs. Honey is low in moisture and acidic which make it a forbidding environment for bacteria and microorganisms. Honey is anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory.It is also one of the most nutritious natural foods available as it contains natural sugars, vitamins and minerals. Manuka honey, from New Zealand, has wonderful healing effects. 'UMF' or 'Unique Manuka Factor' is a worldwide standard used in identifying and measuring the antibacterial strength of some manuka honey. It guarantees that the honey has the special UMF anti-bacterial property and a UMF rating of 10 is the minimum that is recognised.

Ten Fantastic Benefits of Honey

1) Honey has been known to kill antibiotic resistant bacteria, such as salmonella. It also contains anti-oxidants and is great for generally boosting the immune system. The color of honey varies with the darker colored honey indicating a higher level of anti-oxidants.

2) Honey is very effective in soothing coughs associated with the common cold. A teaspoon of honey 30 minutes before bedtime can reduce coughing in children who have a cold. It is very soothing for a sore throat and can help kill the bacteria that cause the infection. Singers often use honey to soothe their throats before singing.

3) Honey contains alot of vitamins and minerals. This makes it a beneficial sweetener to use in drinks instead of sugar.

4) Many people have claimed that honey can relieve seasonal allergies as it sometimes contains traces of flower pollen. Exposure to small amounts of allergens works as a treatment in combating reactions.

5) Honey can metabolize alcohol which would help limit intoxication and reduce alcohol levels in the blood. It is gentle on the stomach and its mix of natural sugars can speed up the oxidation of alcohol by the liver.

6) Honey is great to use as a treatment for dandruff and scalp problems. It can be diluted with a little warm water and applied to problem areas on the scalp. It will relieve itching.

7) Honey can be added to a bottle of water to provide energy during work outs. It is certainly healthier than alot of the sugary sport drinks for sale. Honey is a natual source of carbohydrates which give energy and the natural sugars in honey help to prevent fatigue during exercise. The glucose contained in honey is absorbed rapidly by the body, which boosts the energy . The fructose is absorbed more slowly, which gives a sustained enegy.

8) Research has shown that honey has the capacity to boost short-term memory.

9) Honey is very effective in treating wounds.It can absorb moisture from the air and promote healing. Therapeutic honey from New Zealand and Norwegian Forest honey can kill all the bacteria in wounds. Honey has been applied topically to ulcers and healed them.It can also be used to treat yeast infection and athletes foot.

10) Two teaspoons of therapeutic honey daily can prevent a low count of white blood cells in cancer patients who are undergoing chemotherapy treatment. Honey also contains carcinogen-preventing and anti-tumor properties.

How to Use Honey

To make a cleansing tonic, a spoonful of honey and the juice from half a lemon can be added to a cup of warm water and drunk before breakfast. The water should not be too hot as overheating honey can destroy its enzymes and reduce its healing properties. This mixture can also be used as a gargle for a sore throat.

A teaspoon of honey added to a glass of warm milk, or alternatively, to a cup of chamomile tea, can help to induce sleep.

Honey can be used to replace the processed, refined sugars in the diet as much as possible.

A tablespoon of honey can be taken in the morning with fruit or yoghurt or cereal.

Honey can be applied directly to the skin to help relieve dry skin and acne breakouts. Or it can be added to a bath. Mix a tablespoon of honey with warm water to make it runnier and then add it to the bath. It can also be applied to wounds to dry them and prevent skin inflammation and irritation.

To help in cases of dry hair, Mix half a cup of honey with three quarters of a cup of olive oil and keep the mixture in a clean, glass jar. Rinse the hair without shampooing and apply two tablespoons of the mixture, rubbing it in with your fingertips. Cover the hair and leave the mixture in for about thirty minutes. Shampoo and dry the hair as normal.

Honey can also be used to make an anti-ageing mask. Mix two to three tablespoons of honey with seven drops of evening primrose oil. Add a drop of essential oil of lavendar, which soothes and disinfects the skin and a drop of sandlewood oil, which helps mature, dry skin. Apply the mask and leave it on for half an hour and then rinse it off with warm water. 

Risks of Honey

Honey is not recommended for diabetics as it can cause erratic fluctuations in blood sugar levels. It is also best avoided by candida sufferers and is not recommended for infants under a year old as their immune systems are still developing and honey can contain toxins and bacteria that can cause botulism.These toxins, which can be acquired during the process of brewing, storage and transportation of honey, could also cause food poisoning in very young children, which could lead to brain damage.

How to Store Honey

Honey has the ability to be kept fresh for an indefinite period of time. This is because its acidic pH  and high sugar content don't encourage the growth of micro-organisms that could spoil it.                    Honey should be stored in clean, glass jars with tight-fitting lids that don't allow moisture and odors, which could change the taste and fragrance of the honey, to get in. Metal and plastic containers are not recommended for storing honey. 

Keep the honey in a cool, dry place. A dark cupboard that is not subjected to direct sunlight is fine. Honey is best stored at room temperature. While freezing honey can also be a recommended storage method, keeping it in the fridge is not, as it can prematurely crystallize. Crystallization is the natural process of glucose sugar molecules aligning into orderly forms known as crystals. It does not mean that the honey is going off. 

Keep honey away from ovens and other sources of heat.