Health and Medicinal Benefits of Honey

Honey is produced in most countries in the World. Ayurvedic medicine has been using honey as a vital ingredient for centuries. Even in the Quran, there is a verse on the goodness of honey. It goes like this ”And your Lord revealed to the bee saying: Make hives in the mountains and in the trees and in what they build: Then eat of all the fruits and walk in the ways of your Lord submissively. There comes forth from within it a beverage of many colours, in which there is healing for men; most surely there is a sign in this for a people who reflect. (Surat an-Nahl, 68-69) “ Today scientists have found that even though honey is sweet, if taken in the right dosage it does not harm diabetic patients also. When I was small I had asthma, some how as I grew older and was active in Scouting Activities my asthma went away. But I sometimes find it hard to breathe when the weather is cold. I read somewhere that drinking a concoction of honey, lemon juice and warm water will help. Tried it and it works. It helps to clear the respiratory channel and I can breathe easily. I still drink honey with lime juice. It’s great even when you are tired and lethargic. 
Just a note These tips should not be used for self treatment. I strongly suggest consulting a doctor for regular medicines. This can be used as supplementary medicines.

 Honey as a Source of Energy Booster 

As a great natural source of carbohydrates honey provide strength and energy to our bodies, honey is known for its effectiveness in instantly boosting the performance, endurance and reduces muscle fatigue of athletes. If you are feeling low and lethargic in the morning, try some honey. Spread it on hot toast or replace the sugar in your tea with it for a refreshing surge of energy. Medical experts are of the opinion that this helps the kidneys to flush out completely.

Honey as an Immune System Booster 

Honey’s antioxidant and anti-bacterial properties can help improve digestive system and help you stay healthy and fight disease. Before breakfast, mix a spoonful of honey and lemon juice from half a lemon into a cup of warm water and drink it.

Honey as a cure for Arthritis

In a research done in Copenhagen University, it was found that when doctors treated their patients with a mixture of honey and cinnamon before breakfast they found that within a week, out of 200 patients treated 73 was relieved of pain. Within a month all the patients who could not walk or moved around started walking without any pain. Arthritis patients can drink a mixture of one cup hot water with two spoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon powder. Drink this twice a day in the morning and at night. If drunk regularly even chronic arthritis can be cured.

Honey as a cure for Cough

Having a cough? Mix it with lemon and hot water to soothe sore throats and coughs. This is because it has strong antibiotic properties. Researches from Penn State College of Medicine asked parents to give either honey, honey flavored deztromethorphan or no treatment to the children.

Significant symptom improvements were seen in the honey- supplemented children compared to the no treatment group and the deztromethorphan treated group. 

Honey as Cure for Bad Breath 

People of South America, gargle with a teaspoon of honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water every morning. This is done to keep their breath fresh throughout the day. Now there's even propolis t0othpaste that claim to eliminate bad breath by killing the bacteria that resides in the oral cavity. To know more about propolis you can click here Propolis : The Natural Antibiotic 

Honey for Healing Wounds

 In studies around the world, honey has shown to be effective in treatment of wounds burns and surgical incisions. Even Egyptians had a standard wound salve consisting of grease, honey and fibre. The Assyrians, Greeks, Chinese and Roman employed honey for wounds and diseases of the bowels. Its antibacterial properties prevents infection and it is also believed to reduce scarring. It also has different phytochemicals--chemicals found in plants and different foods--that kill viruses, bacteria, and fungus making it a good substitute for wound dressings. When using honey it may help to heat it up before putting it on your wound (caution test the heat before you place it on the wound).Many types of bacteria can’t survive in honey, so wounds heal, swelling eases, and tissue can grow back. A study has been made on this is the finding Honey as a Dressing for Wounds, Burns, and Ulcers: A Brief Review of Clinical Reports and Experimental Studies

Honey as a Moisturizer for your Skin

Honey is an excellent natural herbal moisturizer as well as a good detoxifying gel. On regular application, honey helps to radiate skin glow as it removes the spots on face due to accumulation of toxins under skin tone due to environments pollutants. You can use honey instead of alpha hydroxy masks because if its high content of the acid. It is also safe for sensitive skin.

You can also use it as a moisturizing mask for your skin. For preparing a soothing honey moisturizing mask, take 2 tbsp of honey and 2 tsp of whole milk. Warm it slightly in a microwave. Smooth the paste onto your face and neck and then lie down for 10 minutes. Later rinse off with water and pat dry.

Honey as a  cure for Sore Throat

Some people believe that when you have a sore throat, a cup of honey and tea is very soothing. Because of its antibacterial properties, it not only soothes your throat but can also kill the bacteria that sometimes cause them

Honey as a Cure for Toothache

A paste made of one teaspoon of cinnamon powder and five teaspoons of honey when applied on the aching tooth (may be done 3 times a day) reduces the pain within a matter of 15 minutes.

Honey as a Cure for Colds

For those who are suffering from common or severe colds, they should take one tablespoon of luke warm honey with 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon powder daily for 3 days. This process will cure most chronic cough, cold and clear the sinuses.

Honey to Improve Blood Circulation

Regular consumption of 1-2 teaspoon honey helps in natural purification of blood and improves blood circulation of body. It  contains a variety of antioxidants, which may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer. Pure honey contains lecithin which dilutes or dissolves the cholesterol in the hearts blood vessels. When cholesterol gets thicker, supply of blood to and from the heart becomes limited, resulting in heart attack.

Honey to Cure Stomach Upset and Ulcer

Honey is an effective natural medicine in treatment of ulcers. It is easily digestible; even in sensitive condition, regular consumption of honey helps to improve kidney and intestinal functions. Honey taken with cinnamon powder also helps in curing stomach ache. For people who are suffering from gas problems, honey should be taken with cinnamon powder in equal quantities, relieves gas and pain in the stomach. Just dilute 2 tablespoon in a glass of water and drink it once or twice a day.

Honey for a Good Night Sleep

Are you losing sleep over problems at work or having relationship problems? Honey can be highly beneficial in such cases. Take a glass of milk and add a teaspoon of honey to this. This can help to calm you down. Honey is known to act as a mild sedative in this case.

Honey for relief of Asthma, Bronchitis and other Respiratory Ailments

For relief of coughs and wheezing associated with bronchitis or other minor respiratory ailments, mix 1 teaspoon of finely chopped fresh thyme in a little honey. Take the mixture as needed to soothe inflamed lungs and airways