Many people are aware of the many health benefits that bee pollen has. This bee byproduct is rich in vitamins, minerals and proteins. Bee pollen can be used as a food supplement to provide our bodies with a significant amount of many of the nutrients they need daily.
Honey!
When we think about honey, the primary product harvested from beehives, we tend to believe it is a sweetener substitute, flavor enhancer, or ingredient in tomato-based BBQ sauces. Honey is also rich in nutrients. If consumed on a regular basis honey can provide many nutrients to your body and can even be used as a healing agent.
Raw honey contains calcium and magnesium, iron, phosphorous as well as potassium. These essential minerals are required in trace amounts by our bodies. Honey also contains Vitamin C and many B-complex vitamins. The amounts of these vitamins vary depending on the quality nectar or pollen that the honey is made from.
Good to know
Honey also contains proteins and the enzyme glucose-oxidase which, in turn, produces hydrogen peroxide when honey diluted with water. Hydrogen peroxide, an antibacterial agent, gives honey its healing properties. Honey can be used to treat wounds due to its antibacterial properties. In fact, honey was widely used in field dressings during the two world wars of the last century.
Apply honey directly to the wound and then cover it with a bandage. Honey dressings reduce pain and inflammation, prevent excessive scarring, fight infection, and encourage the growth of new skin. Honey absorbs water around wounds, drying them and killing bacteria.
Manuka honey
Peter Molan, a biochemist at the University of Waikato in New Zealand, has identified one of the most effective honey strains for treating wounds. Molan demonstrated that honey made from honey from the flowers of the Manuka bush, a native to New Zealand, is more effective than raw honey in treating wounds. This is because it contains an additional antibacterial agent that is not released by all honey.
Despite not being able to identify the additional agent (Molan calls it the “unique Manuka factor”), manuka honey’s antibacterial effectiveness has been proven over many years of research. Manuka honey is able to counteract not just bacteria but also protozoa and fungi that are resistant to antibiotics. Honey can be used to treat eczema, psoriasis, and other skin conditions. It can also soothe allergic reactions and help with insect bites. Apply honey to the affected areas.
Did you know?
Honey is easily absorbed by the digestive tract and can be used as a mild laxative. Honey can also be used to soothe a sore throat due to its antimicrobial properties. You can sweeten herbal teas with honey or lemon teas with honey so that you can get the Vitamin C from the citrus. Because of its antibacterial, antioxidant and other properties honey can strengthen the body’s immune system. Honey actually has as much antioxidant content as spinach and apples, berries, as well as other foods that are often considered “healthy”.
Light honey contains more antioxidants than dark honey. Honey is also good for the liver. It has roughly equal amounts of glucose and fructose. Fructose is used to activate an enzyme in the nuclei liver cells that is required in the vital process of converting glucose into glycogen. The liver must have sufficient glycogen to provide energy for the body. Raw honey, unprocessed, is the best for healing wounds and is most effective in terms if consumed as a treat.
Final note
Raw honey contains pollen. This is the source of many honey’s essential nutrients. However, pollen is destroyed by heat processing and exposure to light. Honey should be labeled as “100% pure” when you buy it. If in doubt, shop at a health food store instead of a supermarket. Honey should be kept in an airtight container in a dry, cool place so it doesn’t absorb moisture. Honey will last for many years if it is stored properly.