Honey is made by bees. It is made up of concentrated flower nectar that bees break down into simple sugar using an enzyme in their salivary glands (invertase). It is then deposited into honeycomb for long-term storage. Honey contains many medicinal qualities taken from the flower. Once the honey has been cooked or diluted, these properties may no longer exist in beneficial quantities. I preferred to use undiluted raw honey, as it contains pollen and parts of the waxen honeycomb in addition to the honey itself.
Honey has a rich medicinal history. It has been used since ancient times for the dressing of wounds and as a cough suppressant.
Medicinal Use. Burn and Wound Healing
The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of raw honey make it a natural for wound care. It kills germs and helps the wound heal. Use it applied directly to burns, infected wounds, diabetic foot ulcers and other skin conditions such as psoriasis and herpes. You can apply it in a layer directly on the skin or apply it to the bandage before use.
For especially difficult infections and ulcers, the use of Manuka honey is recommended, if available.
Antibacterial, Antimicrobial, and Anti-Inflammatory
Some kinds of honey have more intense antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties than others, In particular, Manuka Honey from New Zealand is known to be very high in these active compounds. However, any natural raw honey has these properties in varying amounts.
Cough Suppressant
Honey is a natural cough suppressant. Take a spoonful of honey straight or use it to make a cough syrup infused with beneficial herbs.
Allergies
Local raw honey may help with seasonal allergies. I use it in conjunction with stinging nettle tincture.
Lower Blood Pressure
When used moderately, in place of sugar, honey may help lower blood pressure. Because of its antioxidant compounds, modest blood pressure reduction can occur when reducing sugar use and replacing it with a small amount of honey. Instead of sucrose, honey is made up of glucose and fructose, and has a lower glycemic index than sugar.
Lower Cholesterol and Triglycerides
High LDL-cholesterol is a strong risk factor for heart disease and plays a major role in atherosclerosis. Honey can improve cholesterol levels, lowering the dangerous LDL-cholesterol and increasing the beneficial HDL-cholesterol ratio.
Additionally, replacing sugar with honey lowers triglyceride levels, which are associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
Warning
Never give raw honey to an infant or child under 1 year old. Their immature immune systems cannot handle the botulism spores, where older children and adults have a natural immunity.
While honey is considered a “healthy” sugar, it is still a sugar and should be used in moderation. It will affect blood sugar and contains the same calories as sugar.
Choose high quality, raw honey. Lower quality brands may be mixed with syrup and may contain very little honey. Unless your honey is marked as “raw”, assume that it has been pasteurized.
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