Guest Post: Health Benefits of Raw Honey

Health benefits of raw honey has long been realised by our ancestors for centuries for example the first paintings found of beekeeping were in Spain more than 8,000 years ago. Raw honey in its natural form i.e. not heated in anyway contains vitamins (B1, B2, B3, C, B6, B5), minerals, amino acids, carbohydrates, nutrients such as Iron, enzymes as well as having powerful antioxidants, antiseptic and antibacterial properties.

Raw honey has many medicinal properties and is used to treat stomach ailments, anaemia, chest infections, allergies and bacterial infections are just a few of the conditions that may be improved by consumption of unprocessed honey. Raw honey should never be cooked but instead should be added to warm tea, in yogurts or fruits or on toast/bread.

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Raw honey can be defined as unheated and unblended with nothing foreign added.  Commercial honey is heated to 70 degrees which pasteurises it and all the health benefits of raw honey are lost.  Pasteurized honey takes away a lot of its vital nutrients and often blended honey is blended with so many varieties and may sometimes have sugar added to it or chemicals.

The darker the colour of the honey the better it is.  Honey coats the throat and reduces throat irritation. Research has already shown that honey blocks the growth of oral bacteria. Honey has also been used for stomach pains and problems. Modern research shows that honey is effective when used in the treatment of gastric or peptic stomach ulcers.

Honey contains a variety of sugars and minerals and is considered an antioxidant which means it allows the blood to circulate better and provide more oxygen to areas of the body such as the brain. Honey can also be used externally to promote healing when applied to wounds, even post-operative wounds. Honey has also been effective in its use to treat burns. It has even been shown to be low in calories and useful as a sweetener for diabetics, people with heart disease or those who are overweight. Also it has been used successfully topically for diabetic ulcers where a person is unable to use antibiotic creams.

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Although there is healing in honey for a variety of medical disorders, certain precautions should be taken. Children under the age of one year should never be given honey due to the possibility of infant botulism. This type of food poisoning can be deadly, however, it only seems to affect infants under one year of age. Also, if you have any known allergies to specific plants, then you should make sure the honey you are using is not made from that plant.

Raw honey is a live food and contains amongst other things:

• Enzymes
• Vitamins
• Minerals
• Antioxidants
• Nutraceuticals
• Trace amounts of proteins.

Raw honey is also known for the following properties:

• Antibacterial (active against bacteria)
• Anti-inflammatory (reduce inflammation)
• Antiviral (effective against viruses)
• Antifungal (used to prevent fungal growth)
• Treats coughs/upper respiratory infections
• May promote better blood sugar control (experimental evidence indicates that consumption of honey may improve blood sugar control and insulin sensitivity compared to other sweeteners)
• Improved HDL cholesterol
• Boost immunity

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And the lord inspired the bee, saying: Take your habitations in the mountains and in the trees and in what they erect. Then, eat of all fruits and follow the ways of your Lord made easy (for you)’. There comes forth from their bellies a drink of varying colour wherein is healing for men. Verily in this is indeed a sign for people who think.” - Qur’an (16:68-69)

Guest post by Sister Tallat of MacNahl Honey

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