Healthy Healing Honey

There are many reasons why people throughout the centuries have used honey to heal both body and mind. The ancient Egyptians made offerings of honey to their gods, believing that bees grew from the tears of the sun god Ra when they landed on the desert sand. They also used honey as an embalming fluid for corpses, and as a general healing dressing for wounds in their everyday lives, and even to dress battle wounds. The Mayans believed its healing power enabled communication with divine beings. Our day and age recognizes the liquid gold value of honey, with its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. The healing property in honey is due to this antibacterial activity, its maintenance of a moist wound condition, plus its high viscosity helps to provide a protective barrier to prevent infection. It is a favourite of holistic practitioners, as it’s believed to be one of nature’s greatest remedies. A treasure trove of hidden nutritional and medicinal advantages, this golden liquid from the honeybees is a popular kitchen sweet treat that has super powers. Used as a cough remedy in households, the thick consistency coats the oesophagus while the sweet flavour triggers nerve endings that help end coughing. “Honey’s anti-inflammatory effects and ability to soothe coughs has led to the belief it can also reduce seasonal allergy symptoms. Although there are no clinical studies proving its efficacy, Dr. Matthew Brennecke, a board certified naturopathic doctor practicing at the Rocky Mountain Wellness Center in Fort Collins, Colo., told Medical Daily in an email, “A common theory is that honey acts like a natural vaccine.” It contains small amounts of pollen, which if the body is exposed to small amounts of it, it can trigger an immune response that produces antibodies to the pollen. “After repeated exposure, you should build up these antibodies and the body should become accustomed to their presence so that less histamine is released, resulting in a lesser allergic response.” (medicaldaily.com) The natural healthy sweetener offers health benefits beyond your wildest dreams. Honey causes a rise in insulin and releases serotonin, which improves your mood, providing better sleep results. It is also being said that honey may boost memory. A 2011 study published in Menopause found a daily spoonful of Malaysian honey boosted postmenopausal women’s memory, which can provide an alternative therapy for the hormone-related intellectual decline. After four months of taking 20 grams of honey a day, the women were more likely to have better short-term memory than their counterparts who took hormone pills. A tablespoon of honey is fat-free, cholesterol-free, and sodium-free and one of the healthiest, natural products to consume. For sport active people and athletes it’s a magnificent natural energy booster for workouts and training sessions. Because it is fructose and glucose free it enters the bloodstream directly providing more energy. Lastly for people suffering from skin conditions, honey can be used as an ingredient in face masks and general facial and body lotion products, maintaining your skin’s natural moisture. With its wonderful healing properties, it protects your skins natural ability to heal and keeps it smooth and soft. There are many reasons to focus on saving our bees, the obvious health benefits to us being amongst these.