Honey is one of the purest and most natural forms of remedy promoting general health and well being. Honey is the best blood supplement by raising corpuscle content. The darker the honey the more minerals it contains. Keep honey in first aid cupboard for emergency use, and another in the kitchen cupboard.
Honey is composed of sugars like glucose and fructose .This oldest natural sweetener also contains a wide variety of vitamins, including vitamins C, B1, B2, B3, B5,and B6, and minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorous, potassium, sulphur and sodium, anti – oxidants and amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. Besides the above, copper, iodine, and zinc exist in it in small quantities. Several kinds of hormones are also present in it.
NATURE’S ENERGY BOOSTER: A great natural source of carbohydrates which provide strength and energy to our bodies, honey is known for its effectiveness in instantly boosting the performance, endurance and reduce muscle fatigue of athletes. Its natural fruit sugars play an important role in preventing fatigue during exercise. The glucose in honey is absorbed by the body quickly and gives an immediate energy boost, while the fructose is absorbed more slowly providing sustained energy. It is known that honey has also been found to keep levels of blood sugar fairly constant compared to other types of sugar.
IMMUNE SYSTEM BUILDER: Honey can be a powerful immune system booster. Honey’s antioxidant and antibacterial properties can help improve digestive system and help you stay healthy and fight disease. It contains nutraceuticals, which are effective in removing free radicals from our body. As a result, our body immunity is improved. Start your day with this cleansing tonic: before breakfast, mix a spoonful of honey and lemon juice from half a lemon into a cup of warm water and drink it.
HONEY IS ANTI-CARCINOGENIC: Honey does not cure cancer but honey possesses carcinogen-preventing and anti-tumour properties.
FOR CUTS AND BURNS: Honey has been recognized as one of the most natural home remedy to treat a wide range of ailments and complaints including yeast infection, athlete foot, and arthritis pain. Its antiseptic properties inhibit the growth of certain bacteria and helps keep external wounds clean and free from infection. Honey has been used as a natural cure in first aid treatment for wounds, burns and cuts as it is able to absorb moisture from the air and promote healing. Its antibacterial properties prevent infection and functions as an anti-inflammatory agent, reducing both swelling and pain, and even scarring.
FOR HANGOVERS: When you get a hangover from drinking too much alcohol, combat its effects by applying honey remedy. Honey is gentle on the stomach and contains a mix of natural sugars such fructose which is known to speed up the oxidation of alcohol by the liver, acting as a 'sobering' agent. Follow this recipe: 15ml of liquid honey with 80ml of orange juice and 70ml of natural yogurt. Blend them together until smooth.
FOR SORE THROATS: One of the better known health benefits of honey is that it is able to help treat sore throats. Honey not only soothes throats but can also kill certain bacteria that cause the infection. Take a spoonful of honey to soothe the inflammation or gargle with a mixture of two tablespoons of honey, four tablespoons of lemon juice and a pinch of salt.
FOR SLEEPLESSNESS: Take a glass of hot milk with a teaspoon of honey to calm the soul and induce sleep. Or, add 1 or 2 teaspoons of honey to a cup of chamomile tea and sip.
Natural honey when taken prior to bed is believed to be able to fuel the liver, speed up fat-burning metabolism, ease stress hormones and help us get a better night's sleep.
SWEETENER: Sugar can be substituted with honey in many food and drinks. Honey contains about 69% glucose and fructose enabling it to be used as a sweetener.
WEIGHT LOSS: Though honey has more calories than sugar, honey when consumed with warm water helps in digesting the fat stored in your body. Similarly honey and lemon juice and honey and cinnamon help in reducing weight.
IMPROVING ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE: Recent research has shown that honey is an excellent ergogenic aid and helps in boosting the performance of athletes. Honey facilitates in maintaining blood sugar levels, muscle recuperation and glycogen restoration after a workout.
SKIN CARE WITH MILK AND HONEY: Milk and honey are often served together as both these ingredients help in getting a smooth soothing skin. Hence consuming milk and honey daily in the morning is a common practice in many countries.
DIARRHEA: In treating diarrhea, honey promotes the rehydration of the body and more quickly clears up the diarrhea and any vomiting and stomach upsets. The anti-bacterial properties of honey, both the peroxide and non-peroxide, are effective in the laboratory against MRSA strains of bacteria which are notoriously resistant to antibiotics and are sometimes responsible for the closing of hospital wards.
GOOD SOURCE OF ANTIOXIDANTS: It plays a big role in the prevention of cancer as well as heart disease. Has a low calorie level: Another quality of honey is that, when it is compared with the same amount of sugar, it gives 40% less calories to the body. Although it gives great energy to the body, it does not add weight. Rapidly diffuses through the blood: When accompanied by mild water, honey diffuses into the bloodstream in 7 minutes. Its free sugar molecules make the brain function better since the brain is the largest consumer of sugar, thus, reduces fatigue.
SUPPORTS BLOOD FORMATION: Honey provides an important part of the energy needed by the body for blood formation. In addition, it helps in cleansing the blood. It has some positive effects in regulating and facilitating blood circulation. It also functions as a protection against capillary problems and arteriosclerosis. Does not accommodate bacteria: This bactericide (bacteria-killing) property of honey is named "the inhibition effect". Experiments conducted on honey show that its bactericide properties increase twofold when diluted with water.
MOUTH WASH: Mix 1 tablespoon of honey with a cup of warm water. Use it as a mouthwash. Honey cleans teeth and dentures, and kills germs in the mouth.
COUGH SYRUP: You can also prepare a popular cough syrup at home that involves mixing two teaspoons of onion juice with two teaspoons of lemon juice and then pouring the mixture into a sauce pan of water. Bring to a boil on a low flame and add two teaspoons of honey to the decoction. Allow it to cool for six hours and take a teaspoon of this mixture twice a day for best results.
HONEY BENEFITS FOR CHILDREN: To avoid bed wetting in children, a teaspoon of honey aids water retention, and calms fears in children.
CLEARS NASAL CONGESTION: To clear nasal congestion, mix a dessert spoon or two of honey in basin of hot water. Bend over the basin, covering your head and the basin with a large towel and inhale the fumes.
CALCIUM UTILIZATION: A teaspoon of honey per day aids calcium utilization and prevents osteoporosis.
DURING MIGRAINE ATTACKS: For people who have frequent migraine attacks, should sip a dessert spoon of honey dissolved in half a glass of warm water at the start of the attack. Repeat after 20 minutes if needed. It is effective as migraine is stress related.
DURING CONJUNCTIVITIS: Honey dissolved in equal quantity of warm water is good lotion or eye bath for the conjunctivitis (pus in the eye).
FOOD PRESERVATIVE: Honey is good food preservative. While baking cakes by replacing sugar with honey, they will stay fresher longer due to natural antibiotics as honey retains moisture.
OTHER BENEFITS OF HONEY -EASILY DIGESTED: Because sugar molecules in honey can convert into other sugars (e.g. fructose to glucose), honey is easily digested by the most sensitive stomachs, despite its high acid content. It helps kidneys and intestines to function better.
TIPS:
Next time before you go for a workout, take a spoon of honey to enable you to go for the extra mile.
If you are feeling low and lethargic in the morning, instead of reaching out for a can of carbonated energy drink, try honey. Spread it on hot toast or replace the sugar in your tea with it for a refreshing surge of energy.
If your kids are finding hard to cope with the physical strain from the buzzing activities at school, prepare them some sandwiches with honey, butter and ham to make sure they have enough energy to sustain through the day.
For stomach ulcers, gastritis, dyspepsia and sore throats, 1-2 teaspoons on an empty stomach (½ hour before meals), 1-4 times a day to assist in healing and provide pain relief.
For wounds - apply on a dressing (preferably waterproof) with enough honey to cover the wound surface. Use 20 ml (25-30 gram) of honey per 10x10 cm dressing. Change up to 3 times daily.
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