Honey and Its Health Benefits

If you think honey is only popular for its sweetness then you are guilty of ignorance of the potential medicinal powers that it possesses. Hundreds of health benefits come with the intake of honey. 

Traditional medicine and orthodox medicine can attest to this and that is why they have always made sure to include it in their prescription for the treatment of certain diseases and illnesses.

Honey is not a new thing to mankind as it has always been in existence right from centuries year back. Over the years, honey has gradually gained relevance in the medical field and science has made it a task to discover more about it. 

Also, check out The Sexual and Health Benefits of Cloves.

In this article, we will explore the health benefits of honey, how you can identify real honey, and some home remedies that you can make with honey to treat certain diseases, illnesses, and injuries. 

Honey 

We all know that fresh honey is produced by bees and contains nutrients and vitamins that are beneficial for the human body. Over the years, honey has been used as a sweetener because of its sugar content.

Now, the use of honey is beyond that, and there are new developments that make us see honey in a new light. The field of medicine and human health has been uplifted as we know more about the benefit of honey. 

Are there alternatives to producing honey?

As stated earlier, honey is produced by bees naturally but there are ways that honey can be produced. Honey can be synthesized in the laboratory where the production process involves the degradation of sugar (sucrose/fructose).

However, such products are not comparable to natural honey in terms of taste and nutrient composition. 

Recently, Melbio, an American company produced the first honey without using bees for production. They use synthetic biology, plant science, and fermentation to create the product. Reviews from the taste test were positive but the truth is that it can not be a total substitute for natural honey. 

How to identify natural honey 

Natural honey will be different from adulterated or synthesized honey owing to some peculiar properties. Once you know these qualities you can be able to differentiate easily. 

Natural honey has the following peculiarities:

• It is very dense and not easily poured from the containers as it trickles down in a slow manner 
• It has an aftertaste that is similar to a tingling feeling in the throat 
• It has only a single layer and will not separate into different layers when left standing 
• The aroma of a natural is a strong one 

Aside from these aforementioned properties, there are some tests that you can carry out with basic materials around you to determine the authenticity of the honey. 

The thumb test 

The thumb test is not an ultimate test but it can be used to differentiate natural honey from impure honey. The test uses one property which is the density or thickness as a measure to tell the difference.

To carry out the thumb test, place a little portion of the honey on your thumb and observe the flow. If it spreads out around your thumb then it is not pure honey because pure honey, semi-liquid should be very thick and not easily spread out. 

The water test 

Another test used to differentiate between pure honey from adulterated honey is the water test. A process is that you have to scoop a little portion of the honey into the water.

If you observe that the honey dissolves in the water then what you have is adulterated honey. However, if you have the honey settle at the bottom of the water as a lump then it is pure honey. 

Vinegar test 

This test involves preparing a mixture of water, vinegar (little drops), and honey. If the reaction of the mixture brings about foam then what you have is impure honey. 

Flame test 

Dipping a match stick in the honey and trying to light is what the flame test is all about. If the match stick lights up then the honey is pure and if it does not light up then it is impure. 

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Composition of honey 

Honey contains the following as part of the composition.

• water
• carbohydrates. 
• niacin
• calcium
• copper
• riboflavin
• iron 
• magnesium
• potassium 
• zinc 
• flavonoids 
• phenolic acids. 

Health Benefits of Honey

Honey is more than just a sweetener and the following are the health benefits that the intake of honey.

Nutrition

Honey has more nutritional value than normal sugar because of its components. It contains vitamins and minerals that benefit the body.

Antioxidants properties 

Honey is rich in antioxidants which are essential for the body in dealing with harmful radicals and oxidative stress.

Help to maintain and regulate sugar levels in the body

Science has discovered that honey does not act the same way as normal sugar. Unlike normal sugar, they help maintain and regulate sugar levels. Taking honey will not raise your sugar level putting you at risk of diabetes.

Improve skin condition

Honey has exfoliating properties when you mix it with turmeric and coconut. The skin begins to glow and retain the necessary vitamins it needs. In addition, it helps with the treatment of pimples and acne 

Treatment of cough

Cough helps with dealing with a cough and sore throat because it contains antioxidants and antibacterial action to help with the cough.

Cardiovascular Issues 

Honey is good for treating cardiovascular diseases such as blood pressure, and reducing cholesterol levels in the body. 

Home Remedies with Honey 

Here are some of the home remedies that involve the use of honey.

Sleeping problems

One teaspoon of honey in warm milk helps with sleeping problems. It works like a sedative drug. Take it before going to bed and with time the sleeping problem reduces. 

Cold Treatment

For cold treatment, honey can be taken with warm milk or with lemon juice and radish juice. Also using it with warm milk or water helps with sore throats.  

Indigestion Problems

Taking honey with food helps regulate the digestive system and ease digestion. In addition, if you have constipation, mix one spoonful of fresh honey with the juice of half a lemon in a glass of lukewarm water. Do this in the morning and get free from constipation.

Tuberculosis

Honey helps with managing tuberculosis, especially in the early stages. 

Mix honey and rose petals and drink the mixture every morning

Hair loss (Alopecia)

To treat hair loss mix olive oil, one tablespoon of honey,  and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder. Mix these ingredients till you have a paste. Apply the paste to the affected parts and leave for 15 minutes or thereabout before the bath. Do this frequently and you will start seeing results. 

Toothache

To cure your toothache, you need one teaspoon of cinnamon powder and five teaspoons of honey. Mix them. together to form a paste and apply them to the affected tooth. Repeat the process of applying the paste three times a day. The pain begins to subside with time. 

Cholesterol

A patient with high cholesterol should drink 16 ounces of tea water with two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of cinnamon powder to reduce the cholesterol level in the body.

Treatment of acne and pimples

Form a paste with turmeric and honey by mixing them. Apply on your face before bed and leave for 15 mins before washing it off. 

Final Notes on Honey and Its Health Benefits

Honey is a natural substance produced by bees. It is majorly popularly known for the use of sweeteners. However, there are health benefits to the use of honey as explained in the post. 

Before you go, check out The Health and Sexual Benefits of Cucumber.