More Reasons To Fall In Love With Honey

Since ancient times honey has been used as a food, medicine, and in beauty treatments. Now there are a few more reasons to enjoy honey. Recent reports suggest that honey can reduce anxiety and improve one’s memory during ageing. The study, conducted at the University of Waikato in New Zealand, assessed rats over a one year period. The rats that consumed a diet of 10% honey vs. pure sucrose or no sugar at all, were more active in wide open spaces and had better recollection of the mazes they periodically ran. The researchers believe the benefits are due to the high antioxidant content in honey.

In light of all this new research and because I am an avid honey lover, I decided to dig up some more info on this sweet spread. Apparently, honey has been used as an antiseptic therapeutic agent for the treatment of ulcers, burns and wounds. It also contains various micro-nutrients said to help prevent some cancers and combat hayfever.

From my favorite holistic health source Healing With Whole Foods, I found that both raw and heated honey work naturally to harmonize the liver, neutralize toxins and relieve pain. It’s also useful for treating stomach ulcers, canker sores, high blood pressure, and constipation. Paul Pitchford, describes honeys harmonizing effect as beneficial when a person is overworked, having menstrual problems, or is exhausted from salty and rich foods.

While there is debate among various holistic traditions over whether honey should be cooked or not, it’s agreed that raw, unprocessed honey is the best. If you’re going to eat sugar, honey is definitely one of the best choices. Avoid all heavily processed sugar as all the nutrients are striped during the various melting and straining processes. Honey is highly refined by bees and has more calories than white sugar. It is much sweeter and is assimilated directly into the bloodstream very quickly, so a little goes a long way.

I like to put a little spoonful of honey in my tea, especially when I catch a cold. Honey has the ability to dry up mucus, which is why putting it in a cold-stop herbal tea works wonders!