The Benefits of Raw Honey

Raw honey is a nutritious, natural sweetener, a concentrated energy source with immense health benefits. It has been used for millennia in traditional medicine for its potential antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Raw Honey contains carbohydrates, sugars, proteins, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, enzymes and natural antibiotics, to which it owes its healing effect. 

Why is honey good for you

Internal use

Natural, raw honey contains several enzymes which enhance the digestion of food substances especially carbohydrates such as sugars and starch. The additional benefit of eating honey as a source of energy over the commonly used artificial sugar is that the major sugar constituents of raw honey are present as monosaccharides (simple sugars). Unlike the refined sugar (sucrose) which normally has to undergo the processes of digestion into simpler forms prior to their absorption, these sugar molecules in Raw Honey are in pre-digested forms and can be directly absorbed into the human system.

Raw honey is known to be one of the best home remedies for dry cough as well as wet cough. Research has also shown that consuming a tablespoon of honey can reduce irritation in the throat. It can also act as a natural sleeping aid.

Indicative pieces of evidence advocate the medicinal use of raw honey for the prevention and treatments of gastritis, duodenitis, heart disease, liver disease, bile disease, respiratory disease, certain glandular diseases, gynaecological diseases, nervous system problems, restlessness, and psychiatric problems. Unlike other sugars, honey has no irritating effect on the intestines, so people with intestinal mucositis can also consume it. 

External use

Externally, honey can be used for abrasions, cuts, burns and varicose veins. Applied onto the skin in concentrated form can heal wounds and inflammations. Honey is also known for its moisturising and nourishing properties; it is the best natural moisturiser, especially for dry skin and it is also easy to apply. Raw honey not only unclogs pores but it also helps moisturise parched skin. It also helps to cure cracked lips during winter. Honey acts as a natural cleanser by removing dirt and making the skin smooth and soft. It can also be used for exfoliation of the skin by mixing it with oats in order to remove dead cells. Regular use of honey prevents eczema from occurring or coming back again. Many people also use honey masks for skin tone correction. As well as to the skin, it also provides nourishment to dry hair. 

Special kinds of honey

Lime honey is an antispasmodic, beneficial for bronchitis, widely used against insomnia and atherosclerosis.

Acacia honey is mainly used for indigestion, but is also good against severe coughs, as it has an anti-catarrhal effect.

Lavender honey is mainly effective against kidney problems, but it also has an anthelmintic effect. Excellent for insomnia and headaches. It is a honey that can be applied to open wounds to accelerate wound healing.

Pine honey has a diuretic effect and can be used for kidney problems and oedema.

Buckwheat honey promotes skin formation and has an exfoliating effect.

If you want to get the goodness from your honey, make sure it is pure and raw. The benefits of raw honey outweigh that of all other kinds of honey. Raw honey contains vitamins, minerals, and enzymes not present in refined honey. When possible, try to buy sustainably sourced honey from small businesses that are committed to ethical production. Doing this makes it more likely that the honey you’re buying is real, raw honey packed with all the goodness.