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Benefits of Honey

For centuries the Chinese, Egyptians, Greeks, Romans and Middle Eastern people have used honey for various purposes. Even back then, they knew that other than using it for culinary, honey has medicinal and healing benefits. And it was also used for religious offerings, during celebrations and a medium to pay taxes and debts.

Honey contains more than 180 different substances. Among them are water, fructose, glucose, maltose, sucrose, magnesium, potassium, calcium, vitamins B1, B2, C. Honey contains more nutrients than sugar and water soluble antioxidant content. It also contains beta carotene. It is acidic but is easily digested.

Now, honey is produced in big scale in China, Argentina, Canada, the United States, Germany and Mexico. It takes 50,000 bees to produce 500 pounds of honey. The different nectars the bees ingest will produce different varieties of honey. There are more than 300 different types of honey in the United States alone.

Types of Honey

Clover honey

It is called clover honey because the bees ingest the nectar from clover plants. Depending on the type of clover the bees gathered, the honey is white in color to medium amber. Honeys produced from clover normally have a mild pleasing taste.

Blueberry Honey

Blueberry honey is made from the tiny white flowers of the blueberry bush. It is a full flavored honey that is light amber in color. Most blueberry honey comes from New England and Michigan.

Orange blossom honey

This honey comes from a combination of citrus flowers and has a slight citrus taste and a light amber color.

Alfalfa honey

Alfalfa honey is produced in Canada and the U.S. It is produce from the purple blossoms of the Alfalfa plant. It is light in color and has both a mild taste and aroma.

Some other types of honey are acacia, buckwheat, fireweed, soybean and tupelo honeys.

Medicinal, Healing and Health Benefits of Honey

1. Honey and lemon is a good combination to ease cough and soothes sore throat. Because of its anti-microbial and anti oxidant properties, honey helps drain mucus from the lungs and lubricates respiratory tract.
   
   
   
2. Honey has been used in the ancient days to treat wounds and is until today used as an antiseptic. Placing a dab of honey on a band aid and covering a small wound will help the wound to heal faster. The phytochemicals present in honey is responsible for it.
   
   
   
3. Because of its anti oxidant contents and nutrients that originate from plant nectar, it may help prevent illnesses such as heart disease and cancer. Honey improves your immune system and helps fight diseases.
   
   
   
4. Honey is easily absorbed into your bloodstream and provides the energy that you need. The easiest way to add it to your diet is to drink a glass of water mix with honey every morning.
   
   
   
5. Honey contains more calories than sugar but unlike honey, sugar does not contain antioxidant, the substance that fights free radicals that damage the cells in your body.

Other than the above mentioned health benefits of honey, it is also used as a laxative, treatments for skin problems and urine retention.

Honey side effects

While there are many benefits of honey and is considered safe to use by almost all people, it has been found unsafe for children under a year old. It can cause botulism or loss of muscle function due to the presence of botulism spores in honey. It is also not recommended to consume honey while you are taking antibiotics.