How Sweet It is

Many of us are moving away from chemically-laden products and back to more natural substances. The cure for many ills may be right on your kitchen shelf:  thick, rich, golden honey.  The healing powers of honey have been recorded since ancient times.  Egyptians used the thick syrup to heal their wounds and to preserve their dead.  Honey is frequently mentioned in the Bible; it was referred to as a wholesome food, a helpful medicine, an ingredient of delicious drinks, an appropriate gift and a valued possession.   

Yet only recently has science been able to prove the benefits of honey.

But all honey is not created equal.  The honey that has been approved in current studies for the healing of burns, chronic wounds and chronic sinusitis infections is Manuka and Sidr honey.  Manuka honey is from the manuka bush, also known as the “tea tree bush” from Australia and New Zealand (priced online at $36/17 ounces).  Sidr honey comes from the Sidr tree in Yemen; the tree is referred to in religious texts as sacred.  It is one of the world’s most expensive honeys (priced online at $30/5 ounces).  The use of any of the honeys should be discussed with your physician.

• These honeys have been found to have antibacterial/antibiotic properties.  The FDA has approved a seaweed and Manuka honey-infused bandage named “Medihoney” for the healing of chronic wounds and burns (priced online at $50/10 dressings and $22/1.5 ounce of ointment). 

• The same honeys have been proven effective in treating chronic sinusitis by destroying the bacteria that can cause the condition, according to a University of Ottawa study.  These honeys have also been shown to be highly effective on drug-resistant strains of bacteria.  We can hope that the results of the University of Ottawa study will soon lead to a convenient treatment for sufferers.    

Our grandmothers have made their own homemade cough syrup for generations; honey often combined with lemon, ginger or whiskey to soothe coughs.  Another study has proven that Grandma was right:  honey is better at controlling coughs and promoting  sleep than over-the-counter preparations.

Move over dark chocolate and blueberries!  Honey also boosts antioxidants, the body’s natural defense against disease, especially heart disease and cancers.   Scientists at the University of Illinois have discovered that honey contains the some disease fighters as fruits, vegetables, tea and olive oil.  While honey cannot be consumed in the same amounts as fruits and vegetables, it can be substituted for other sugars to satisfy your sweet tooth.  Add a spoonful of honey to your cup of tea instead of sugar, or spread honey on your toast instead of jelly.  Just remember:  the darker the honey the higher the amount of antioxidants.  Buckwheat honey is 3 times higher in antioxidants than Acacia honey. Sunflower and Tupelo honey are also good choices and available in most grocery stores.

Honey has also been proclaimed (but not yet substantiated) as a cure for hangovers and insomnia; lowering weight and  LDL (bad cholesterol) levels;  remedying bad breath, sore throats, a myriad of digestive problems, dry skin, facial scrubs and even athlete’s foot!

As sweet as this news may be, please use caution:  honey should never be given to infants less than one year old because their digestive systems are immature and its use can cause illness or even death.