Honey begins as flower nectar. After the honeybee gathers the nectar, it stores it in special cells in its hive. During transport, the nectar is mixed with enzymes in the bee’s special stomach.These enzymes, combined with the fanning action of the bees’ wings in the hive, cause the nectar to form honey.
Honey is not only delicious, it has many health benefits as well. However, organic, raw, unfiltered, wildflower honey is the most beneficial. Don’t expect to get the same (or any) health benefits from pasteurized, filtered, heated honey that is mass-produced and possibly adulterated with corn syrup.
Filtering removes the healthful materials like propolis (made by the bees as part of their wax) and pollen remnants. Heating destroys all sorts of beneficial enzymes, antimicrobial constituents, and vitamins. And finally, honey made from the nectar of wildflowers is more healthful. Clover and alfalfa honeys are made from the nectar of these crops that are heavily sprayed with insecticides. The medicinal qualities of a large variety of flowers are incorporated into the honey if wildflowers are the primary source of nectar. Interestingly, bees seem to find the flowers of medicinal plants particularly attractive.
In one pound of honey (an average-sized jar), you will find enzymes, natural acids, antibiotic, anti-fungal, and antimicrobial proponents, hormones, 1.4 grams of protein, 23 milligrams of calcium, 16 milligrams of vitamin C, all of the B vitamins, 4.1 milligrams of iron, 73 milligrams of phosphorous, and many more nutrients.
There are also many substances in honey we have yet to understand. But we do know it works for a variety of health problems. Here are some of raw honey’s healing uses.
1. Burns
Even severe burns respond very well to honey when it is used as a dressing. Its high moisture content helps keep burns moist, and its antibacterial properties prevent infection.
2. Wound Healing
Even surgical wounds dressed with honey heal faster and better than those treated with conventional substances (such as iodine). Ulcers, both internal and external, also respond well to honey.
3. Respiratory Ailments
Honey is an excellent treatment for colds, flu, bronchitis, and even allergic asthma and rhinitis. It is effective both as a treatment and as a preventative.
4. High Blood Pressure
When taken with cinnamon, raw honey can help reduce high blood pressure and offers other cardiovascular benefits.
5. Rheumatoid Arthritis
A tablespoon of raw honey in a cup of hot water along with a teaspoon of cinnamon not only makes a pleasant tea, it is also said to relieve the pain of rheumatoid and osteoarthritis when drunk regularly.