The magic of Honey!
It always amazes me that the gifts from nature provide us with such healing properties. Can you believe that something as sweet as Honey could pack such promise. When I think of honey I remember my high school days in choir. As a soloist, if my throat was sore I would have to drink hot tea with lemon and honey to coat my throat; it always worked like a charm.
But how exactly does honey make its way into existence? Bees produce honey by mixing nectar, (which is a sweet substance secreted by flowers), with bee enzyme. The best and most healthy form of honey is not the commercial stuff you find in most super market shelves. Raw, natural honey is the kind that you want sitting in your cabinet.
Raw honey is the concentrated nectar of flowers that comes straight from the extractor; it is the only unheated, pure, unpasteurized, unprocessed honey. Where as the commercial honey has been heated and filtered, to make it look more attractive and eye appealing. But unfortunately for the sake of vanity all of the beneficial properties such as minerals, vitamins, enzymes, and wonderful delicate aroma are lost. This goes for most foods, once it has been heated it loses it nutrient content. So if you purchase commercial honey thinking you are doing yourself good, you are actually just buying sugar, which provides nothing of nutrients. For those of us who are not quite aware of all of the wonderful attributes that honey provides lets take a look.
Honey is antibacterial: For the early part of the 20th century the healing powers of honey were widely researched and documented. Unfortunately, the rise of antibiotics left honey in the shadows. That was until strains of bacteria became resistant to antibiotics. Honey’s natural antimicrobial properties prohibit the growth of bacteria. The enzyme that goes into honey during nectar processing is glucose oxidase which produces the antibacterial, antimicrobial hydrogen peroxide. This makes honey a wonderful treatment for scraps, cuts or abrasions; if covered with honey bacteria will be unable to enter and healing will be promoted. Honey may also be used to treat acne, because of the connection between bacteria and acne. It is said that honey from the Manuka bush provides the highest level of antimicrobial properties.
Honey is hygroscopic: What this means is that honey naturally absorbs the moisture from the air. When applied to the open wounds it prevents scarring by keeping the skin moist, and promotes growth of new tissue.
Honey is an antioxidant: Research has found that honey contains large amounts of phenolic and non-phenolic antioxidants, the antioxidant potency and type of antioxidant highly depends on the floral sources of the honey. It has also been found that darker honey such as Buckwheat honey, contain higher antioxidant content.
Honey promotes the immune system: Because of the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties honey can help to improve digestion, which helps to stay healthy and fight off disease. It contains 5,000 live enzymes, 22 amino acids, 27 minerals and numerous vitamins adding to immune strength.
Honey and weight loss: Honey is a natural sweetener, so it is without a doubt a healthier choice than regular sugar. Sugar lacks all of the enzymes, amino acids and vitamins that honey naturally carries. Not to mention that sugar steals needed nutrients from the body in order to be metabolized, talk about sweet deception. It is believed that drinking lemon juice with a little honey the first thing in the morning is an effective anti cellulite treatment as it helps to increase body metabolism. Honey is said to prevent obesity and lower levels of cholesterol. Honey helps extra deposits of fat in the body to be utilized as energy for normal everyday functions. Fasting has always been considered a great addition to weight loss but combined with honey and lemon the effects are promising. Fasting on honey and lemon-juice, which is an alkaline food, is highly beneficial in treating obesity, without the loss of energy and appetite.
The healing possibilities are endless when it comes to this sweet natural nectar, it is used for may home remedies from acne to yeast infections. There is life beyond the prescription believe in or not. Here are some well known honey remedies:
Acne: Mix 1/4 cup honey, 1 tablespoon liquid soap and 1/2 cup glycerin (found in drug stores). Apply gently on to face using a face sponge. Rinse with warm water and pat face dry.
Arthritis: Take daily, morning and night, one cup of hot water with two spoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon powder. If taken regularly even chronic arthritis can be cured.
Cholesterol: Two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of Cinnamon Powder mixed in 16 ounces of tea water, given to a cholesterol patient, was found to reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood by 10% within 2 hours. As mentioned for arthritic patients, if taken 3 times a day, any Chronic cholesterol is cured.
Colds: Take one tablespoon lukewarm honey with 1/4 spoon cinnamon powder daily for 3 days. This process will cure most chronic cough, cold and clear the sinuses.
Toothache: Make a paste of one teaspoon of cinnamon powder and five teaspoons of honey and apply on the aching tooth. This may be applied 3 times a day till the tooth stops aching.
Hair loss: Those suffering from hair loss or baldness, may apply a paste of hot olive oil, one tablespoon of honey, one teaspoon of cinnamon powder before bath and keep it for approx. 15 min. and then wash the hair. It was found to be effective even if kept on for 5 minutes.
Skin infections: Applying honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts on the affected parts cures eczema, ringworm and all types of skin infections.
Yeast infection: Take half a cup of honey into the bathroom. Sit on the toilet and apply honey liberally over the affected area. Let it stay for five to ten minutes and then bathe to clean up. Do this twice a day, morning and just before going to bed at night.
Pimples: Three tablespoons of Honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder paste. Apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it next morning with warm water. If done daily for two weeks, it removes pimples from the root.
Longevity: Tea made with honey and cinnamon powder, when taken regularly arrests the ravages of old age. Take 4 spoons of honey, 1 spoon of cinnamon powder and 3 cups of water and boil to make like tea. Drink 1/4 cup, 3 to 4 times a day. It keeps the skin fresh and soft and arrests old age.
Gas: It is found that if honey is taken with cinnamon powder the stomach is relieved of gas.
Immune system: Daily use of honey and cinnamon powder strengthens the immune system and protects the body from bacteria and viral attacks. Constant use of honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles to fight bacteria and viral diseases.
Indigestion: Cinnamon powder sprinkled on two tablespoons of honey taken before food, relieves acidity and digests the heaviest of meals.
Warning!! Do not under any circumstances give honey to a child under the age of 1 year. Honey contains the spores of the Clostridium botulinum bacteria , and when ingested by an infant, the spores can release a toxin that causes botulism.
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