HONEY-IS A SWEET HOLISTIC REMEDY FOR HEALTH & HOME

Honey

Produced by bees from plant nectar is basically a mixture of water and two simple sugars: fructose and glucose. It does have trace amounts of antioxidants; chrysin, pinobanksin, vitamin C, catalase, and pinocembrin.

The clearer the honey, the higher the percentage of fructose it contains. Honey will almost always granulate if kept for a very long period however simply heating it up will make it runny again (do this by standing the container in warm water for 15 minutes) do not put it in the microwave as it will change its essence by increasing the hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF derived from cellulose) content. The flavour of honey varies and depends on which flowers the bees have visited: chestnut honey is very unique and has an almost bitter taste whereas Acacia honey is mild and very suitable for cooking. Remember that the darker the colour, the deeper the flavour.

Honey is sold in individual containers or in mass.It is usually pasteurized. But raw honey that has not been pasteurized, clarified, or filtered may be bought at your local farm or market. Many believe that Raw honey is the best honey; however there are serious potential side effects, such as allergic reaction, intoxication and food poisoning, it is a potential source of botulism spores. Look for honey that states "100% pure." Weight for weight honey actually contains less calories than sugar; 288 as opposed to 394 per 100grams (3 1/2oz) because one quarter of it is water.

Honey has been a much prized source of sweetness since ancient times. It takes the nectar of one and a half million flowers to make a single jar. Stone Age man valued honey for both its taste and rarity. In England it was the ordinary people’s sweetener until the middle of the 17th century and sugar was reserved for the upper class. However by late 17th century sugar was becoming the universal sweetener and honey was the luxury.

Tradition and myth have gifted honey with exclusive dietary and health giving qualities. It has been hailed as an elixir and aphrodisiac of youth. Honey continues to maintain its reputation as a remedy for chest complaints particularly to loosen phlegm. It also has antiseptic properties and is used to treat wounds it is often used when antibiotics have failed. It is also more commonly used to ease a sore throat, mix two teaspoons of honey with the juice from half a lemon and warm water; this encourages production of saliva which helps to soothe a dry and irritated throat. Many believe a mixture of honey, cinnamon and water assist weight reduction without altering the rest of their diet or exercise regime.

Manuka honey which originates from New Zealand claims to reduce the growth of Helicobacter pylori (microaerophilic bacterium that can inhabit various areas of the stomach) it can also be used to treat stomach ulcers, a variety of skin conditions including leg ulcers, pressure sores, burns, bacterial infections (including MRSA), psoriasis, eye, ear and sinus infections, athletes foot, dry skin, flu symptoms.

There are Two Types of Manuka Honey:

1. Ordinary manuka honey with only the hydrogen peroxide antibacterial property common to most honeys. which is advertised as "A very nice table honey".
2. UMF Manuka Honey with both the natural hydrogen peroxide antibacterial property plus its own natural UMF antibacterial property, giving it increased antibacterial potency. A specialty honey identified by the name UMF. It is the preferred honey for wound dressing and other special therapeutic uses.

To distinguish between the two types of manuka honey Dr Molan (honey researcher) named the additional antibacterial property UMF (meaning Unique Manuka Factor).It is unique because it is only in manuka honey and in only some (not all) manuka honey.

Honey truly does have so many health benefits for all ages other than infants: Please do not feed honey-containing products or use honey as flavouring for infants less than one year of age; honey may contain Clostridium botulinumspores and toxins that can cause infant botulism (a rare but life-threatening paralytic disease).

Honey is safe for children older than 12 months and adults.

May I suggest every home has at least one jar of honey. Your weak spot for the honey pot may “bee” of more benefit than a visit to your local chemist.

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