Health benefits of honey

Health benefits of honey

by Sanjay B

Honey is one of the most ancient elixir of life known to man since ages. It has wonderful healing properties. Therefore, it is very rightly called as “The Food of Gods” even in the developed scientific age. Still, we are unaware of the amazing medicinal properties of honey. If we think on the long term basis, we can get the most wonderful challenging effect of honey over chronic diseases.

Now a days, people in the world are much worried about their beauty. They are ready to spend thousands just to maintain / satisfy their beauty consciousness. Most of the people in the world are suffering from diabetes. One can use honey safely in case of Diabetic patients and also in case of hypertension, digestive disorders, burns, ulcer, bronchial asthma, cramps etc…
Honey can also be used to treat boils and external sores. We can compare Honey with that of sugar. Sugar does not have any nutritional value that is needed for our body, except carbohydrates. When we use refined sugar, it raises blood sugar level rapidly. It will cause dental caries and contributes to obesity. It may be one of the most common cause for Diabetes mellitus.

Honey contains at least six vitamins, minerals, plant acids, proteins etc…

Benefits of honeyIt contains sugar as glucose, fructose, and sucrose. Glucose is the simplest of all sugar forms and can be assimilated directly in the blood. Fructose is commonly called as grape sugar. It is also known as laevulose. Its chemical composition is similar to that of glucose, however it crystallizes more rapidly than glucose. While glucose helps in restoring the oxygen level, fructose builds the tissues. Sucrose is a combination of fructose and glucose. It contains Dextrin, a gummy substance that can be assimilated by the blood directly and therefore digestible.

The amount of protein in honey is very less. Honey contains at least six vitamins and they are, vitamin Bl (Thiamin), vitamin C (ascorbic acid), vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), vitamin B6 ( pyridoxine) and vitamin B3 (niacin). These all vitamins are most needed vitamins for the proper functioning of our body. It acts upon different systems in our body and actively participates in the various functions in our body. For example, for proper utilization of the sugar, thiamine is most essential thing. Like wise each vitamin has its own role in our bodily functions. Composition Of Honey. Honey chiefly consists of natural sugars and water. It contains:

  • Water 17%
  • Dextrose 34%
  • Laevulose 39%
  • Sucrose 1%
  • Dextrin 0.5%
  • Protein 2%
  • Wax 1%
  • Salts (calcium, magnesium, phosphate, iron, iodine).    1%
  • Plant acids (malic acid, formic acid, citric acid).    0.5 %
  • Resins, Gums, Pigments, Volatile oil, Pollen grains…    40 %

Benefits of Honey

Honey used as a Tonic
Honey is one of greatest instant energy giving food given to us by the nature. It is often used as an energy booster in emergency cases like fatigue, hypoglycemia, and exhaustion. Eating a spoonful of honey gives energy in less than ten minutes. Honey with fresh, fruits and nuts makes an ideal diet for good health. Children can eat honey spread on the bread slices instead of jam or sauce.

Honey as Expectorant
Honey has Mucolytic property. It can break down the mucous plugs and helps to bring out the sputum. We can use honey with adathoda (Adathoda vasica) leaf extract (30ml) and honey (10ml) on empty stomach is very much useful in case of cough.

Honey a Better choice for Complexion
Honey if taken regularly, gives a clearer complexion. A spoonful of honey along with the juice of one medium sized lemon, taken every morning before break fast keeps the complexion clear.

Honey as slimmer
Honey can be taken along with cabbage juice on empty stomach helps to reduce weight. Honey with warm water if taken every morning also reduces weight.

Honey as anti – flatulent
Honey and ginger (read more on health benefits of ginger) will prevent the gas formation after heavy meal and it also increases the digestion. Regular use honey with lemon juice also prevents digestive problems.

Honey for hiccoughs
Mix ginger juice with honey and lick this teaspoonful of mixture for treating continues hiccoughs.

Honey for Cramps
Cramps usually occur when the calcium present in the blood is at a lower level, while the phosphorus level is high. By taking honey, the required levels are maintained in the blood. So, regular intake of honey reduces the incidence of Cramps.

Honey for Constipation
Drink a cup of warm water mixed with fresh lemon juice and honey every morning on an empty stomach to treat your constipation. ( See also : Pear – a dependable natural laxative )

Honey for skin
Olive oil and Honey- These two combinations will simply make your skin feel wonderful. Make a paste of olive oil, honey and turmeric and apply to the skin.

Honey in case Diabetes Mellitus
Honey can be used advantageously in case of Diabetes Mellitus as honey mainly contain laevulose 39% (D- Fructose), and Glucose 34% (D- glucose). While the glucose present is rapidly absorbed by the blood, Laevulose is assimilated slowly. This slower assimilation is however advantageous to the body as it does not lead to a sudden increase in the blood sugar level. Honey can be used in hypoglycemia very effectively instead of glucose/ sugar.

Miscellaneous Advantages

  • Increases the absorption of calcium, phosphorus, iron etc..
  • Helps for proper functioning of cells for energy release, and repair.
  • Helpful in proper functioning of Red Blood Cells and Nervous System.
  • Proper development of Bones, Teeth and Tissues.
  • Formation of Hemoglobin (Hb).
  • Honey can be used safely in case of burns, blisters, ulcers even in case of bronchial asthma.

According to Ayurveda, honey is always older the better for any treatment purpose. Honey doesn’t get spoiled. It can convert into crystals after several years.

But keep in mind !

Ayurveda says that raw honey is medicine, but cooked honey is a slow poison. Why? In its natural form, honey is rich in minerals, vitamins, enzymes, amino acids, and carbohydrates. But heat strips honey of most of its nutritional value and transforms the honey molecules into a non-homogenized glue that adheres to mucous membranes and clogs subtle energy channels. Cooked honey creates cellular toxicity and may lead to immunological dysfunction. It can also clog the arteries and lead to atherosclerosis (thickening of the arteries), hampering blood flow to the vital organs. So as a general rule, honey should never be cooked, and nothing should be cooked with honey. Instead, add raw honey to yogurt, warm tea, or spread it on bread or toast. (from : http://www.favstocks.com/14-ways-honey-can-heal/1921065/ )

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