Honey: The Ancient Remedy Packed with Healing Magic
Honey isn’t just a sweetener for tea or baking; it’s been used for centuries as a medicinal powerhouse. Even though we might not think of it as an herb, it has medicinal virtues that rival some of the best-known natural remedies.
Honey’s benefits are varied and potent, making it a staple in kitchens and medicine cabinets alike.
The Buzz Behind Honey: How It’s Made
Honey bees are to thank for this golden treasure. They collect nectar from all sorts of flowers, and the variety of blossoms directly affects the honey we enjoy. Early spring honey, made from dandelions—the first bloom of the season—is rich and golden, while honey harvested later in the year might be darker or lighter, depending on the flowers available. Each region’s honey is unique, which brings us to one of its many benefits: allergy relief.
It doesn’t just taste great—it also offers numerous benefits, which we’ll dive into now.
The Medicinal Properties of Honey
Honey is so much more than a sweet treat. It’s antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and loaded with antioxidants. Let’s break down how it can help with common health concerns.
2. Honey for Gut Health
Surprisingly, honey can support a healthy gut microbiome. It contains both probiotics and prebiotics, which help balance the good bacteria in our digestive system. Research even suggests it can relieve gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea associated with gastroenteritis.
A great way to use it is to infuse it with some of your favorite herbs. Then add a spoonful of your infused honey to tea or even just warm water, add it to oats, toast, pancakes or anything else you might enjoy a touch of sweetness. Here’s a great recipe for spiced honey that uses wonderful warming spices that’ll not only warm you up, but is great for immune boosting and your digestion too.
3. Honey for the Mind: Antidepressant, Anticonvulsant, and Anti-Anxiety
Recent studies (as noted from a 8/10/2023 article from the Mayo Clinic) suggest that it might offer benefits for mental health. There’s growing evidence that honey could help with anxiety, depression, and even memory disorders. More research is needed, but the initial results are promising.
4. Anti-Inflammatory Power
Honey contains flavonoids and polyphenols, compounds known for their anti-inflammatory effects. These can help reduce inflammation both externally and internally, making it useful for skin conditions like acne or eczema and for calming digestive upset.
5. Expectorant and Cough Suppressant
Honey works wonders on a sore throat and stubborn cough. Its natural expectorant properties help loosen mucus, while its thick, soothing texture coats the throat. Studies show that just 1 to 2 teaspoons can relieve nighttime coughing in children over the age of 1, allowing for restful sleep for both the child and mom.
Here’s a recipe I grew up with. This originally came from a friend of my mom’s. She told mom, her doctor gave it to her to help her kids sleep when they didn’t feel good (she had 12 kids!). Mom gave it to me throughout my childhood and I still use it today when I don’t feel up to snuff and just need a little help going to sleep.
I know it sounds weird, but trust me you can adjust the vinegar and honey to your taste. And if you do it right, it tastes just like warm apple cider. And it really does work.
6. Moisturizing and Skin Care
Honey’s humectant properties mean it attracts moisture, making it a natural skin moisturizer. It’s also an emollient, meaning it softens and soothes the skin. Use it in DIY face masks or as part of your daily skincare routine for healthy, glowing skin.
You can mix it with ingredients like powdered oats, clay, or powdered goat’s milk for an extra boost.
Raw vs. Pasteurized Honey: What’s the Difference?
When it comes to honey, not all varieties are created equal. Raw is unheated and retains all of its natural enzymes and nutrients. Pasteurized, on the other hand, is heated at high temperatures to remove any moisture, but this process also removes some of the beneficial properties.
For medicinal uses, raw is typically preferred, especially if you’re looking to keep all those beneficial enzymes intact.
You may also come across filtered and unfiltered. Unfiltered may contain tiny particles of wax or pollen, while filtered has these removed. The choice is yours based on your personal preference, but many herbalists prefer the more natural, unfiltered varieties. Personally, I’ll opt for raw, but filtered honey.
Honey for Allergies
If you’re prone to seasonal allergies, using honey from your local area might help! The idea is that the local stuff contains traces of pollen from nearby plants, which can help desensitize your immune system. While scientific evidence is still mixed, many people swear by it as a natural remedy for allergy relief.
Honey Never Goes Bad
Did you know that honey never spoils? It doesn’t require refrigeration and can last indefinitely if stored properly.
Over time, it may crystallize, but this doesn’t mean it’s gone bad. Simply place the jar in warm water to slowly and gently warm it to return it to liquid form.
Many times I’ll put it in a sunny window in the summertime.
Nutritional Composition of Honey
Honey is primarily made up of carbohydrates—about 95-97% of its dry weight comes from sugars like fructose and glucose. It’s 25% sweeter than sugar, making it an excellent alternative for those trying to cut down on refined sugars. Plus, it has a lower glycemic index than table sugar, which helps avoid those dreaded blood sugar spikes and crashes.
I grew up on honey instead of sugar as a regular sweetener. We bought it by the gallon from a guy I knew as “Honey Bee.” I never knew his real name, just Honey Bee. We would go through a gallon every few months as best as I can remember.
It’s also calorie-dense, with one tablespoon providing about 61 calories. Though essentially pure sugar, honey offers trace amounts of protein, fiber, and a wealth of antioxidants—especially darker varieties, which tend to have higher antioxidant levels.
Honey’s Ancient Roots
Honey has been valued for its medicinal and nutritional properties since ancient times. The Greeks, Chinese, Egyptians, Romans, Mayans, and Babylonians all used it for everything from wound healing to nutrition. In ancient Egypt, it was so valuable that it was used as currency to pay taxes!
Ancient texts, including Sumerian clay tablets, Egyptian papyri, and even the Bible and Quran, all mention it as a prized remedy and offering.
A Word of Caution
While honey offers countless health benefits, it’s important to remember that it should never be given to children under 1 year old. It can contain spores of Clostridium botulinum, which can cause infant botulism, a rare but serious illness.
Whether you’re using honey to soothe a sore throat, heal a wound, or simply sweeten your tea, this golden nectar is more than just a sweet treat. Its history is rich, its benefits are plentiful, and its place in your kitchen is well-earned. Just be sure to go for raw and local whenever possible—you’ll be giving your body (and taste buds) the best nature has to offer.
So tell me, do you have any sweet stories or recipes? Was honey a part of your life growing up? Is it still a part of your life? I’d love to hear all the details!
