Honey
Other Names : Apis mellifera, Buckwheat Honey, Chestnut Honey, Clarified Honey, Honig, Jellybush Honey, Madhu, Manuka Honey, Mel, Miel, Miel Blanc, Miel Clarifié, Miel de Châtaignier, Miel de Manuka, Miel de Sarrasin, Miel Filtré, Purified Honey, Strained Honey, Feng Mi
Honey is a substance produced by bees from the nectar of plants.
See also :
Contents
Special Precautions of Honey
- Honey seems to be safe for most adults and older children when taken by mouth or applied to the skin.
- Do not use raw honey in infants and young children under 12 months of age due to the chance of botulism poisoning. This is not a danger for older children or adults.
- Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Honey seems to be safe when taken in food amounts. The concern about botulism applies to infants and young children and not to adults or pregnant women. But not enough is known about the safety of honey when used for medicinal purposes in women who are pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid medicinal amounts and topical applications.
- Pollen allergies: Avoid honey if you are allergic to pollen. Honey, which is made from pollen, may cause allergic reactions.
- Allergic reaction, especially in people who are allergic to bees
- Risk of a rise in blood sugar
- Follow the Ayurveda principle of honey, which means you should not heat it above 40 degrees Celsius. The typical explanation provided is that honey digests slowly after being heated above 40 degrees and the molecules become like glue, adhering to mucous membranes and clogging the body’s channels, producing toxins or ‘ama’.
Benefits and uses of Honey are
Honey is far more than a natural sweetener. It is a “functional food”, which means it is a natural food with health benefits. It contains natural antioxidants, enzymes and minerals including iron, zinc, potassium, calcium, phosphorous, magnesium and selenium. Vitamins found in honey include B6, thiamin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid and niacin. In addition, the nutraceuticals contained in honey help neutralize damaging free radical activity. Some of the chemicals in honey may kill certain bacteria and fungus. When applied to the skin, honey may serve as a barrier to moisture and keep skin from sticking to dressings. Honey may also provide nutrients and other chemicals that speed wound healing.
- Cough. Taking a small amount of honey at bedtime appears to reduce the number of coughing spells in children age 2 and older. Honey appears to be at least as effective as the cough suppressantdextromethorphan in typical over-the-counter doses. Some researchers think the sweet taste of honey triggers salivation. This, in turn, promotes secretion of mucus, which wets the airway and calms the cough.
- Wound healing. Applying honey preparations directly to wounds or using dressings containing honey seems to improve healing. Several small clinical trials and case reports describe the use of honey or honey-soaked dressings for various types of wounds, including wounds after surgery, chronic leg ulcers, abscesses, burns, abrasions, cuts, and places where skin was taken for grafting. Honey seems to reduce odors and pus, help clean the wound, reduce infection, reduce pain, and decrease time to healing. In some reports, wounds healed with honey after other treatments failed to work.
- Burns.
- Hay fever. Research so far suggests that taking one tablespoon of honey daily, in addition to standard treatment, does not significantly improve symptoms.
- Athletic performance. Some preliminary clinical evidence suggests that honey might bring blood sugar to normal levels following exercise and improve performance when given during exercise.
- Infections caused by catheters used for kidney dialysis. Early research suggests that manuka honey (Medihoney) applied three times weekly to the exit sites of certain types of implanted hemodialysis catheters is as effective as a standard treatment called mupirocin ointment in reducing the occurrence of catheter-associated infections and blood infections.
- Diabetic foot ulcers. Some reports suggest that applying topical raw honey can speed healing of otherwise non-healing diabetic foot ulcers. This seems to be true even if the wound is infected by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE), or Pseudomonas infection. In one report, a previously non-healing wound healed completely after applying supermarket honey under dressings for 6-12 months. This patient’s leg was saved from amputation.
- Sore mouth due to radiation treatment (mucositis). Beginning research suggests that honey made from tea tree (Camellia sinensis) nectar taken by mouth can reduce the seriousness of mouth sores, painful swallowing, and weight loss associated with radiation therapy for head and neck cancers.
- Sunburn.
- Asthma.
- Allergies.
- Breaking up thick mucus secretions.
- Diarrhea.
- Digestive tract ulcers.
- Cataracts.
- Rich source of Flavonoids : Chrysin, Kaempferol, Quercetin, Pinobanksin, Pinocembrin, Luteolin, Apigenin, Hesperetin, Naringenin, Genistein
- Cancer : The presence of flavonoids and phenolic acids in honey are the primary anti-cancer compounds involved in its beneficial properties.
- Liver Cancer: Gelam honey has been found to kill liver cancer cells, exhibiting selective cytotoxicity, anti-angiogenic, cytotoxic, and anti-proliferative properties, in both cell and animal research.
- Colorectal Cancer: gelam and nenas monofloral honeys exhibit anti-cancer properites in colorectal cell lines.
- Prostate Cancer: Greek honeys (thyme, pine and fir honey) have been found to exhibit anti-proliferative properties.
- Other Forms of Cancer: There has been a battery of studies on the anti-cancer properties of honey, focusing on the following types: a) bladder b) endometrial c) renal cell carcinoma d) skin cancer cells e) cervical f) non-small cell lung cancer g) mouth cancer h) bone cancer (osteosarcoma).Recent research in Japan and Australia has revealed that advanced cancer of the stomach and bones have been cured successfully. Patients suffering from these kinds of cancer should take one tablespoon of honey with one teaspoon of cinnamon power three times a day for one month. Some honeys – such as Tualang honey – exhibit the property of selective cytotoxicity, meaning they target cancer cells by inducing programmed cell death while leaving non-cancerous cells unharmed. Due to the phytoestrogen activity of flavonoids, honey is also effective for estrogen sensitive cancers like breast cancer.
- fatigue : Recent studies have shown that the sugar content of honey is more helpful rather than being detrimental to the strength of the body. Senior citizens who take honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts are more alert and flexible. A Dr. Milton, who apparently does not have a first name, has done research showing that a half tablespoon of honey taken in a glass of water and sprinkled with cinnamon powder, even when the vitality of the body starts to decrease, when taken daily after brushing and in the afternoon at about 3:00 P.M., the vitality of the body increases within a week.
Medicinal Honey
Although all honeys have some of the same medicinal properties, certain honeys have shown to alleviate specific health problems and have been used as natural medicines for ages. The following honeys have become quite popular over the last few years and now are somewhat easy to find:
1. Acacia honey is created from the nectar of the Black Locust blossoms (Robinia pseudoacacia). Its high fructose and low sucrose content make it a great choice for diabetics. Acacia honey is known for its therapeutic effects such as cleansing the liver, regulating digestive processes especially in the intestines, and reducing inflammation in the respiratory system.
2. Eucalyptus honey comes in many varieties because Eucalyptus is one of the larger plant genera with over 500 species, hence Eucalyptus honeys can vary in color and flavor. Its origin is Australia but it is now also produced in California. Traditionally, Eucalyptus honey has been used to protect against colds and headaches. With a hint of menthol flavor, it can be quite effective in alleviating mild cough, chest congestion and other cold symptoms. Furthermore, Eucalyptus honey has also been widely used as a topical treatment or blended in natural topical medicines for healing wounds, ulcers, burns, sores and abrasions, as well as for insect bites and stings. Its anti-inflammatory properties make it beneficial in relieving muscle and joint pain when massaged into the skin.
3. Linden honey, most commonly recognized in Northern Europe where Linden trees (Tilia) are planted in city parks and gardens and along the roads, is known for its light yellow color and delicate woody scent. It has slight sedative properties, therefore it is recommended for anxiety. It can also aide with insomnia if used in a bath before bedtime. Its antiseptic properties make it a natural treatment for colds, cough and other respiratory ailments such as bronchitis.
4. Manuka honey is collected from the flowers of the Tea Tree bush (Leptospermum), found in the coastal areas of New Zealand. This type of honey has strong antibacterial properties thus making it an effective elixir for digestive problems such as stomach ulcers and indigestion, for symptoms associated with colds such as sore throat, and for skin problems such as acne and pimples. The taste of Manuka honey can be quite robust, but it will vary depending on which brand you buy so if you don’t like one, try another.
5. Neem honey is a popular Ayurvedic treatment and can be commonly found in India where Neem trees (Azadirachta indica) are common. It is used to lower high blood pressure, diabetes, skin problems, allergies, dental illnesses, and throat infections.
Forms of Honey
- Honeycomb contains all of the nutritional value of raw honey. It's fun to eat (a bit messy, too!) because you simply cut off a small portion of wax and chew the honey out of it. The wax will dissolve if it's chewed for about 15 minutes, but most people spit it out like they would chewing gum.
- Raw Honey has not been filtered or pasteurized (heated to high temperatures); it's extracted and cleaned using a settling tank at room temperature. Raw honey contains almost all of the nutritional value of raw honey, but sometimes it's strained to remove particles of pollen, wax and propolis. Often, it's creamed to make it more attractive. Raw honey will become granular very quickly, and may separate in the jar with the liquid fructose rising to the top and granular glucose sinking to the bottom.
- Filtered with Minimal Heat Honey (often labeled ‘unpasteurized') is extracted and cleaned using an 80 micron filter. The honey is then heated to 40 degrees Celsius (the temperature of the inside of a bee hive on a hot day). It contains most of the nutritional value of raw honey. It will granulate in two to six months depending on the type of flower the bees visited to gather the honey.
- Pasteurized Honey is, sadly, the most common form of honey sold in stores. The honey is heated to 140 degrees F for 30 minutes, or even higher temperatures for a shorter period of time, super filtered through a 1 to 5 micron filter, and then cooled quickly. It contains very little of the nutritional value of raw or minimally processed honey, but it will last over 9 months on a store shelf without granulating.
- Creamed Honey has been allowed to crystalize under controlled conditions so the honey has a creamy, spoonable texture. Other names for creamed honey are: spun honey, whipped honey, churned honey, and candied honey. Creamed honey can have a soft consistency, or be very firm. Any liquid honey can be made into creamed honey.
