subject: Health Benefits Of Natural Honey [print this page] Have you hugged a bee today? Have you hugged a bee today?
Not a treea bee!
While hugging a bee (or a tree) might not be a good idea, you should at least tip your hat to the bees for producing one of nature's most perfect foods.
For more than 5,000 years the nutritional, medicinal and healing properties of honey have contributed to its reputation as a superior natural food.
Indeed, in Biblical times, John the Baptist is described as surviving in the desert by eating only wild honey and locusts. (I'll stick with just the honey, thank you.)
And because it has so many therapeutic qualities, honey has been used for thousands of years to treat a wide range of ailments and health concerns.
Honey offers a vast array of health and beauty benefits. It is a powerful antioxidant, antiseptic, face cleanser, hair conditioner and is also one of the best all-natural dry skin treatments you'll ever use! (see recipes below)
While containing a wealth of vitamins, minerals and amino acids, honey also acts as an antibacterial and antifungal agent, helping to disinfect and speed the healing process in wounds, scrapes and burns.
Contrary to popular perception as just a standard golden color, honey actually comes in a wide range of colors, including white, amber, red or brown - to almost black.
Recent research indicates that dark-colored honeys are richer in antioxidants than light-colored honeys.
Talk about an all-round healing elixir, which can promote general health and well-being!
Just a daily dollop, whether as a sweetener in hot drinks or spread on your favorite toast, may actually boost your body's supply of antioxidants, which are essential for protecting against dangerous disease-promoting free radical scavenger cells.
The American Honey Association recommends you try the following health and beauty honey-based treatments:
Drink 4 tablespoons of honey in water every day to improve blood flow and to help prevent hardening of the arteries.
Eat honey before a workout to boost endurance levels. Have some after your exercise as well, to help the body recuperate properly. (During the ancient Olympic games, athletes ate special foods, including honey and dried figs to enhance performance.)
To satisfy your sweet tooth, indulge in some honey instead of candy.
Try equal amounts of honey and peanut butter with sliced bananas for a great sandwich snack. (Keep an eye out for Pooh bear or Elvis on this one!)
Honey mixed with ground almonds makes an excellent natural facial scrub.
Make your own natural lotion for patches of dry skin on hands, elbows or other parts of the body. . Just mix 1 teaspoon of honey with 1 teaspoon of olive oil with 1 teaspoon of lemon juice. Apply to skin and rinse off after 15 minutes.
Honey works to soothe and clear chapped lips and acne conditions because it has natural antibacterial properties.
Try mixing 1 tablespoon of honey into a cup of warm water and swish - use as a mouthwash. Honey cleans the teeth and dentures and kills germs in the mouth.
You're probably aware that Honey is widely used as a complementary remedy for the relief of the symptoms of colds, coughs, sore throats and flu:
For a sore throat, take it by itself or gargle with a mixture of warm water, two tablespoons of honey, four tablespoons of apple vinegar and pinch of salt.
A traditional medicinal drink mixes hot water, lemon juice and honey to help soothe severe cold and flu symptoms. By adding a little eucalyptus oil or root ginger it can also help ease congestion and enhance sleep.
Try using honey instead of sugar in your favorite recipes. Bear in mind that you will need to use less honey than sugar because it is so much sweeter.
Honey is generally available in most grocery stores and health food stores. If you shop farmer's markets you can sometimes find raw honey. Always look for honey that says "100% pure" on the label.
As a footnote: Alarmingly, the bee population has been down significantly in the US in recent years, with no clear explanation in sight yet.
One theory says it may be caused by radiation from cell phone towers, while no one is really sure, it could be a significant problem in the long run.
It may be wise to stock up on your favorite honey, just in case, as shortages could occur.
Be sure to try some of the darker varieties, too. The different colors have tastes that can be fragrantly different, as they take on the flavor of local flowers.
So go ahead and enjoy this wonderful bounty from nature to improve your diet in a sweet and healthy way!
