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Honey and Health
| Honey has long been recognized as a natural remedy and has been used as a medicine for thousands of years. It has antiseptic properties and can be used as a remedy for ailments from sore throats to burns and cuts. For a soothing drink for sore throats, mix honey with the juice of half a lemon, add boiling water and stir. If you’re feeling low, try a spoonful of honey as a pick-me-up. The fructose and glucose in honey are quickly absorbed. |
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Honey can also be used as a remedy for allergies, just simply take two or three spoonfuls per day and allow sixty to ninety days for full absorption. After that take one or two spoonfuls per day just as you would a vitamin, make it a part of your everyday life.
When it comes to soothing throats, singers have known for generations that a spoonful of honey would sweeten their performance. You don’t have to sing an aria to appreciate the soothing benefits of honey—yelling at a football game can strain your voice and lead to a sore throat.
According to the American Association of Family Physicians, many things can cause a sore throat. These include infections with viruses, such as colds and flu; sinus drainage; allergies; or cigarette smoking, among others. Sore throats caused by bacteria such as streptococci, are usually treated with antibiotics. Always check with your doctor if you have a fever, or if symptoms continue for more than a few days.
Time is the most important healer of sore throats caused by viruses, but for relief of the irritating symptoms, try a spoonful of honey to soothe and coat your throat. Take a spoonful straight, as often as nedded, to relieve the irritation. In between, keep up your liquids with a steaming cup of tea sweetened with honey. For added vitamin C, try mixing in orange, grapefruit or lemon juice.
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Try a Honey-Citrus Soother (Makes 4 servings) Ingredients: Directions: |
Honey is a safe and wholesome
food for children and adults.
Note: Honey should not be fed to infants under one year of age.
DO NOT add honey to your baby's food, water or formula.
DO NOT dip your baby's pacifier in honey.
DO NOT give your baby honey as medicine.
Honey may contain Clostridium botulinum spores that can cause infant botulism - a rare but serious disease that affects the nervous system of young babies (under one year of age). C. botulinum spores are present throughout the environment and may be found in dust, soil and improperly canned foods. Adults and children over one year of age are routinely exposed to, but not normally affected by, C. botulinum spores.
The following are symptoms of infant botulism -
call your doctor immediately if your baby:
- is too weak to suck or cry as usual
- does not want to feed or cannot swallow
- has weak arms, legs or neck
- suffers from constipation for more than three days
Honey, nature’s soother, is more than just sweet. A recent review of scientific literature revealed that honey contains antioxidants and, although in trace amounts, a wide array of vitamins, minerals and amino acids. Honey contributes to a persons overall intake of recommended nutrients. Sweeteners, such as refined sugar, offer no additional nutrients. Be aware, of course, that honey should not be fed to infants under one year of age. Honey is a safe and wholesome food for older children and adults.
Eating honey regularly, not just when colds and flu strike, makes good nutritional sense. There are approximately 300 varieties of honey in the United States. In general, lighter -colored honeys are milder tasting, while darker-colored honeys are bolder in flavor. Darker honeys also tend to have a higher mineral content and antioxidant potential.