Honey I'm Home

By Bailey1_

Raw honey - which has not been pasteurized or filtered, and ideally taken directly frm the hive - is a treasure chest of nutritional value and medicinal remedies. It contains an abundance of vitamins and minerals and is a natural and powerful medicine, both internally and externally.

Raw honey contains the eseential minerals calcium, iron, magnesium, sodium, phosphorous, sulphur, copper, zinc, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, thiamin and potassium. It also contains small traces of copper, which helps with the absorption of iron. Honey also contains protein. The vitamins found in honey include B1, B2, C, B6, B5 and B3. The amount of vitamins will change according to the qualities of the nectar and pollen that the honey is made from.

*Healing Properties:* Traditionally, honey is a great sweetener for tea, on biscuits, or as an ingredient in homemade wheat bread, or the concoction your mother used to give you when you had a sore throat. Yes, honey is a food with multifaceted uses. For centuries it's been used as a healing remedy.

*Raw Honey and Cinnamon:* Mixing raw honey with cinnamon has a host of reported benefits. Some claim to lose weight by mixing cinnamon and honey in a tea-like mixture. Other benefits said to come about from using honey and cinnamon together include relief from the following: Arthritis, Bad breath, Bladder infection, Slow hair loss, Upset stomach

*Salve:* Raw honey has been used worldwide for milennia to promote healing. In World War I, honey mixed with cod liver oil was used to treat soldier's wounds.

Raw honey is a popular healing ingredient in salves. In fact, studies on honey salve for diabetic ulcers has proven that the honey treatment is not only effective but works on individuals when other topical antibiotics were ineffective. A raw honey salve can also be used to treat eczema. Honey contains an antiseptic substance called inhibine, which, if applied to wounds, prevents them from becoming infected. It may also promote faster healing of cuts and burns.

*Skin rashes, burns and abrasions:* Apply over the affected area; may cover with a dressing or dusting of cornstarch to reduce stickiness. It absorbs water from the inflamed tissue.

Applied ever 2 to 3 days under a dry dressing, honey promotes healing of ulcers and burns better than any other local application. It can also be applied to other surface wounds, including cuts and abrasions. Bacteria cannot live in honey.

In a study of 104 patients with first-degree burns, researchers in Maharashtra, India, compared honey's effectiveness to gauze soaked in silver sulfadizine (SS), the conventional treatment. After seven days, 91 percent of honey-treated burns were infection-free compared with 7 percent of those treated with SS. After 15 days, 87 percent of honey-treated burns were healed compared with 10 percent of the SS-treated burns.

*Honey and Apple Cider Vinegar:* Mixing raw honey with raw apple cider vinegar in hot water as a tea can be used for a variety of ailmnets including: Stomach aches, Constipation, Migraines

*Honey and Lemon:* This tasty mixture is said to shift extra fat stores within the body so they can be used for energy.

*Benefits for Seasonal Allergies:* If you suffer from seasonal allergies, you know how miserable it can make you. Local raw honey makes a great natural aid in reducing allergy symptoms to local flowering plants. That's because the raw honey contains a small amount of pollen from these local plants and for many users it boosts immunity to local allergens.

Take two to three teaspoons of local raw honey daily to fight allergies, and for best results, start taking raw locally-grown organic honey four or five months before the allergy season starts.

*Antibacterial and antifungal properties:* Use a small amount to wash the skin. It helps facial blemishes and acne caused by cosmetics or allergies to clear up. Honey contains many beneficial minerals and vitamins. However, one of the most important properties is its antibiotic action.

*Cancer:* Raw honey has moderate anti-tumor and anti-metastatic effects. Caffeic acids found in propolis are inhibitors of colon cancer in animals. Hive products have the ability to prevent and halt the spread of malignant diseases.

*Dental and mouth sores:* Cleans teeth, mouth and dentures and stops bleeding gums. Canker sores, blisters and mouth ulcers respond to application of unstrained raw honey.

*Hair and scalp treatment:* Apply Raw Honey (with or without olive oil) to dry or damp hair about one half hour before washing - you'll be amazed at your "crowning glory."

*Bath and antibacterial soap:* Wash with Raw Honey straight from the jar and enjoy sparkling clean skin.

"Face and body treatment:*

For face: 2 tablespoons of honey, 2 teaspoons of milk. Apply to face and leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse with warm water.

Honey Scrub for the body: Mix 1/2 cup of raw honey with 1/2 cup sugar or salt. Step into the shower (minus water, of coures) and scrub mixture into the skin. Then shower off.

Honey Scrub for the face: 1 tablespoon of honey mixed with 2 tablespoons of finely ground almonds and half a teaspoon of lemon juice. Rub gently into the skin and rinse with warm water.

Skin infections: Applying honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts to the affected parts cures eczema, ringworm and all types of skin infections.

*Insomnia:* Honey helps nervous disorders including insomnia and acts as a tonic in recovery of any damage to the nervous system. Take one teaspoon full of honey mixed in lukewarm water; drink before going to bed.

It is also believed that honey has a somewhat soporific overall effect on the body. People troubled with insomnia will add 1 tablespoon of honey to a glass of hot water, stir it up and then pour it into bath water. A bath taken in the water may help you gain the drowsiness you're looking for at bedtime.

*Moisturizer:* Honey is nourishing for the skin. Smooth lightly over the skin; easily remove it later with splashes of warm water. It is rejuvenating to the skin and helps eliminate fine wrinkles and leaves the skin baby soft.

*Preservative:* Unprocessed honey found in ancient tombs was determined to be edible and was even used to preserve bodies. Raw honey is antiseptic, antibiotic, antifungal, and antibacterial - it never spoils!

*Respiratory problems:* (Bronchitis, asthma, rhinitis and sinusitis). Bee pollen and propolis suspended in raw honey contains anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, and expectorant properties that ensure the body has an immunobiological defense and gives the body the capacity to regenerate its attacked cells.

Add 1 tsp minced thyme to 1/4 cup of honey and take the mixture orally when suffering from a bad cough or bronchities. The anti-inflammatory properties of raw honey will soothe lungs and the irritated airway.

*Build your immune system:* In a March 2004 study at the University of California, Davis, it was reported that daily consumption of raw honey may raise polyphenolic antioxidant levels in blood and reduce the risk of damage by free radicals. This means consumption of raw honey helps build your immune system and helps build a stronger body.

Crystallized honey is simply honey undergoing the change from a liquid to a solid state. Sort of like water to ice. Raw honey will crystallize over time. To bring crystallized honey back to a liquid state, place in a warm water bath. Do not use the microwave as doing so will break down some of the beneficial minerals.

*WORD OF CAUTION:* With all of honey's remarkable attributes, honey of any kind must not be given to infants or toddlers whose digestive systems are not yet ready to process certain types of bacteria found in honey, but older children and adults can find hundreds of ways to enjoy honey.

Ingredients

• None

Preparation

Step 1

None