Raw Honey

Raw Honey comes straight from the honeycomb, unheated, unpasteurized, and unprocessed. It is still sugar, but with a few vitamins, enzymes, phytonutrients and nutritional properties in it. Honey comes from the bees that pollinate just about everything. Raw honey has something about it that is very healing. First of all it is natural, it has health properties and it tastes good. Raw honey has been used by humans for as far back in history as we can go. It also plays a part in cultural traditions and religious ceremonies.

You can buy raw honey still on the comb, or as a liquid or solid. My dad used to eat it straight off the comb, but he also got a mouthful of bees wax which I didn't like. I preferred my honey to be in it's liquid golden form. The color of honey can vary from  clear, to milky and it all depends on what flowers the bees got it from.

Honey has health properties.

To get the best benefits from honey, it is better to use locally produced raw honey. It is very helpful for seasonal allergies like hay fever. There is something about the way the bees make it, that when you take the honey it brings relief from the allergies. It is also good for your immune system.

Bees also produce a substance called propolis. Propolis contains vitamins, minerals, enzymes, antioxidants, and phytonutrients. Good raw honey has both pollen and propolis. Propolis is antibacterial, antiviral, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory and contains antioxidants. Some of the nutrients of raw honey have tumor and cancer prevention properties. It is also good for a cough suppressant, reducing allergy symptoms, regulating blood sugar and and cholesterol, healing ulcers and bacterial infections.

Applying raw honey to infected wounds reduces the redness and swelling. It has been compared to antibiotics. Honey can also be used to treat small burns and can be safely used externally by diabetics. However, I would suggest anyone who is watching their blood sugar to be cautious about internal use.

Honey makes a good addition to a cup of tea. You can get honey sticks to put in your tea. It is also good on biscuits with butter. Honey is a sugar so I recommend that you use moderation when using it internally.

Caution:

One should be cautious about using honey, be sure to consult your health care provider. It is dangerous to give honey to children under 1 year of age. It sometimes contains botulism spores that that can be life threatening to the infant. For diabetics internal use of honey should be discussed with your health care provider.

Check out my web page at www.valerielull.com  Also look for my page on facebook. Look under the heading Ten Healthy Teas.

Valerie Lull, Author
Ten Healthy Teas
lullval@clearwire.net