The use of honey as medicine is nothing new. It first appeared as an ingredient in medicinal compounds and cures made by Egyptian physicians 5,000 years ago. In other ancient practices, honey is used as medicine, from traditional Chinese medicine and Indian Ayurveda to Mayan shamanism. In the past fifteen years, there has been an explosion in scientific research on honey as medicine at Universities, research centers, and medical clinics worldwide.
The global honey market is expected to reach a compound annual growth rate of 2.6% from 2017 to 2023, as indicated on the BeeCulture website. This is driven mainly by the ever-growing number of honey health applications. The history of honey used as medicine goes back to the ancient Egyptians. Not only did they use it as a source of food, but they understood its medicinal healing power.
The science may be new, but using honey in remedies dates back in time.
For this blog, we are staying true to science. There is credible and documented research on traditional and modern uses of honey in human diseases. We are looking at the research to understand the proven healing powers of honey.
The power of honey as medicine may surprise you.
In his book, The Honey Prescription, Nathaniel Altman explores the broad spectrum of medicinal uses of honey. Specifically, he explores how these remedies can be used safely at home and by licensed health care practitioners. He includes an extensive selection of honey-based recipes that can treat common health problems from burns, conjunctivitis, and ulcers to tooth decay.
Altman explains the physiological reasons why honey is so effective in treating antibiotic-resistant diseases with no side effects. He illustrates honey’s ability to kill E. coli and “super-bugs” like MRSA. In addition to drawing on centuries of material from historical and folk medicine sources, he also examines the sacred role of bees from ancient Egypt onward. Colony Collapse Disorder, including methods for protecting our precious hives, is also covered.
A sweet path to improved health with honey as medicine
At Bee Inspired, we’re not doctors, and this is not medical advice, but we have researched the uses of honey on the skin. We’ve also kept a close eye on new research that supports honey used for immunotherapy in allergies. Based on several studies, there is scientific evidence to support honey heals.
Raw honey possesses many health benefits.
- With a centuries-old track record, It is well-documented that honey is an antibacterial agent.
- Honey heals wounds, burns, and eye infections.
- Research supports there are benefits of using honey for allergies. If you aren’t sure about this study’s findings, please try it. Consume a teaspoon of RAW, real honey from your local beekeeper once daily for a month during allergy season, and see if you notice a difference.
- MDs, naturopaths, and other healthcare practitioners have advocated a daily honey regimen to strengthen the immune system and ward off disease. Even for your pet.
- Honey is a nutritious complement to supplements and foods, providing vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals derived from plants.
- Delay aging and thwart degenerative conditions such as heart disease and cancer with honey which contains bioavailable antioxidants.
- Enhance calcium absorption with vitamin D and sugars naturally found in honey.
- Count on a natural energy source without sugar spikes from processed sugars in honey, especially for athletes.
Honey is a great pantry staple. It has an eternal shelf life packed with nutrients.
Wound Healer
A 2008 study by the University of Bonn in Bonn, Germany, showed the potential for using honey as an antibacterial agent on patients with suppressed immune systems. Some varietals of honey, for instance, Manuka honey, have been proven to stimulate the production of monocytes that fight infections. If long-term research proves this, it will make Manuka Honey* a robust pharmaceutical.
Honey is medicine; it heals chronic wounds that are resistant to healing:
- Pressure wounds
- Post-surgical wounds
- Meningococcal septicemia
- Staph
- Herpes
- MRSA
- Burns
Hydrogen peroxide
Honey is a natural antibiotic useful internally and externally on your body. It contains hydrogen peroxide read: bleach, used as a bacterial disinfectant for wounds and burns. It’s also effective on methicillin-resistant bacterial species such as Staphylococcus aureus. Bacteria thrive in warm, moist environments. But bacteria cannot survive in honey due to its low water content below 18% and glucose oxidase, which breaks down glucose sugars in the curing process. As a result, bacteria die, and the wound dries up.
Poison Ivy
We’ve even explored and can provide first-hand experience using honey to heal poison ivy. No kidding, it helps to soothe the itch and burn that comes with a terrible case of poison ivy.
Vitamins and Nutrients
Over the past ten years, researchers from around the world have found honey to contain vitamins and nutrients:
- Thiamin
- Riboflavin
- Niacin
- Pantothenic acid
- Pyridoxine
- Vitamin C
- Calcium
- Copper
- Iron
- Magnesium
- Manganese
- Phosphorus
- Potassium
- Chromium
- Selenium
- Zinc
Pre and Probiotics
Honey is a perfect prescription from nature for the gut. Research has linked honey to improved gut microbial balance, coughing, and other respiratory conditions. Pre and probiotics are in honey. That makes honey a valuable nutritional and medicinal resource.
Antioxidant Activity
Honey has a variety of flavonoids and phenolic acids that act as antioxidants. Antioxidants scavenge and eliminate free radicals. Honey contains trace nutrients and possesses antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, along with healing potential for ailments such as sore throats and digestive disorders.
Natural Energy Booster
There is an increasing stream of ideas around the return to “primal” roots in our quest to nourish our bodies with real, natural, unadulterated food. One nutritional shortcoming, debated often amid continuing massive consumption, is the issue of sweeteners.
Honey is a natural energy booster for athletes. One hundred grams of pure honey (the kind you’ll find from beekeepers, not the store) contains 82.4 % carbohydrates, 38.5 grams of fructose, 31 grams of glucose, 7.2 grams of maltose, and just over 1 gram of sucrose.
A Cure for Common Coughs and Colds
Protecting bees from harsh climatic conditions is critical for beekeepers worldwide. Moreover, doing so is also critical for the healthcare sector. Many people are using honey as an alternative form of medicine. It coats your sore throat when you consume honey, protecting you from constant coughing. Nevertheless, a study on the benefits of honey on kids showed that kids ages 1 to 5 years suffering from nighttime coughs experienced improvements after taking one teaspoonful of natural honey before bedtime.
Phytochemicals
Honey that does not possess hydrogen peroxide contains phytochemicals and chemical compounds derived from plants or fruits and is a natural energy booster for athletes. One hundred grams of pure honey (the kind you’ll find from beekeepers, not the store) contains 82.4 % carbohydrates, 38.5 grams of fructose, 31 grams of glucose, 7.2 grams of maltose, and just over 1 gram of sucrose.
Skincare
In ancient times, honey was rubbed into a fresh wound as an antiseptic. Today, raw honey is being used to treat specific skincare problems:
- As a beauty tool, honey combats free radicals on the skin
- For natural skin repair, evening out skin tone, and even helping with acne
- To naturally treat sunburn
Dandruff
Most anti-dandruff shampoos contain carcinogenic chemicals that are harmful to the scalp. On the other hand, natural honey is safe and brings instant relief to your scalp. Honey effectively treats dandruff and dermatitis because it directly targets and kills fungus on your scalp. It also reduces inflammation caused by a fungal infection. Your skin heals much faster, and you experience a reduction in hair loss.
Sleep aid
Research has found honey improves, facilitates, and lengthens restorative sleep by at least three mechanisms. When taken before bed, honey:
- Bedtime honey consumption promotes restorative sleep. For example, honey ensures adequate liver-glycogen stores while sleeping for eight hours.
Honey at bedtime also helps:
- Prevent the early-morning release of cortisol and adrenaline, which ensures adequate liver-glycogen stores for eight hours of sleep
- The body releases melatonin, the hormone required for the recovery and rebuilding of body tissue during rest.
- Boost the immune system.
- Limit the early-morning release of two stress hormones, cortisol and adrenaline.
- Stabilize blood sugar levels.
Ways to Incorporate healing honey into your daily routine:
- Add one teaspoon of honey to one cup of warm chamomile, orange blossom, lemon balm or linden flower tea– before bedtime for improved sleep.
- While we can’t promise that our Eastern Shore Honey will help you bid your sore throat or allergies farewell, we believe it helps. We encourage you to experience using honey for immunotherapy, and if it works for you, then keep doing it.
- Warm one cup of milk and add one teaspoon of honey and some ground turmeric. Drink before bedtime.
- Prepare a one-half glass of orange juice diluted with equal lukewarm water. Add two teaspoons of honey, and drink just before bedtime.
- Steep lavender and peppermint in warm water for 10 minutes, add one teaspoon of honey, and drink before bed.
- Combine two ounces of honey with five drops of lavender oil. Add two tablespoons of this mixture to a warm tub of water and enjoy a relaxing soak for 10 to 15 minutes.
Try these healing honey recipes:
This Lemon, Turmeric, and Ginger Tea are chock-full antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, and ancient healing powers.
We look to ginger, honey, and lemon when we feel under the weather. We call this Dr. Feelgood Tea and drink it just before bed.
Nothing is more soothing to the skin and the spirit than this oatmeal bath with your favorite bedtime tea blend tea. Your skin feels like silk after this bath.
How sweet is it that you can improve your daily health by trying a few home remedies? Discover how to use honey to cure what ails you! Honey is a safe, natural health solution with no side effects. Many health experts recommend it as part of diet regimens due to its excellent medicinal and health benefits.
* Irradiation destroys the living aspects of Manuka Honey sold in the USA
Sources:
The Honey Prescription by Nathaniel Altman
