Raw Honey Benefits and Uses

I had no idea there were so many uses for raw unfiltered honey besides spreading it on my toast!  I know there is a lot of raw honey available in Utah from varying stores, and it's allover at the summer farmers markets.  If you want to know a few places you can get it, just ask me. 

Benefits of Raw Honey

See http://www.reallyrawhoney.com/healthfacts.php

Raw Honey simply means nothing has been done to it.  It has not been heated or filtered.  Therefore it retains its beneficial enzymes, antioxidants, vitamins, pollen grains and aroma.  Raw honey is simply extracted from the hive and bottled.

Raw honey does not have to be rotated in your food storage.  Store it properly and it will last forever.  (It is best to store it at room temperature).  Raw honey is a food that contains all the substances necessary to sustain life.  Honey is antiseptic, antibiotic, antifungal, and antibacterial.

Allergies  Raw honey (especially from a local source) is an effective treatment for 90% of all allergies.  Treatment is 1 teaspoon of raw honey daily, even after allergy is under control.

Antibacterial and antifungal properties  Use a small amount to wash the skin.  It helps facial blemishes and acne caused by cosmetics or allergies to clear up.  Honey contains many beneficial minerals and vitamins.  However, one of the most important properties is its antibiotic action.

Cancer  Raw honey has moderate anti-tumor and anti-metastatic effects.  Caffeic acids found in propolis are inhibitors of colon cancer in animals.  Hive products have the ability to prevent and halt the spread of malignant diseases.

Dental and mouth sores  Cleans teeth, mouth and dentures and stops bleeding gums.  Canker sores, blisters and mouth ulcers respond to application.

Hair and scalp treatment  Apply to dry or damp hair about ½ hour before washing.

Insomnia  Honey helps nervous disorders including insomnia and acts as a tonic in recovery of any damage to the nervous system.  Take one teaspoon full of honey mixed in luke-warm water; drink before going to bed.

Moisturizer   Honey is nourishing for the skin.  Smooth lightly over the skin; easily remove it later with splashes of cold water or comfortable warm water.  It rejuvenating the skin; helps eliminates fine wrinkles and leaves the skin baby soft.

Preservative  Unprocessed honey found in ancient tombs was determined to be edible and was even used to preserve bodies.  It keeps foods fresh and moist longer and retards spoilage.

Respiratory problems (bronchitis, asthma, rhinitis, and sinusitis)  Bee pollen and propolis suspended in raw honey contains anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, and expectorant properties that ensure the body has an immunobiological defense and give the body the capacity to regenerate its attacked cells. 

Skin rashes, burns and abrasions  Apply over the affected area; may cover with a dressing or dusting of cornstarch to reduce stickiness.  It absorbs water from the inflamed tissue.

Healing agent  Unprocessed honey, straight from the hive has been used worldwide for millennia to promote healing.  In World War One, honey mixed with cod liver oil was used to treat soldier’s wounds.

Stomach and digestion  Raw honey does not ferment in the stomach, is easily absorbed and there is no danger of a bacterial invasion.  The flavor excites the appetite and helps digestion.  It is an excellent reconstructive tonic.  Honey has a lubricating effect, so it works as a laxative.  It is also helpful for ulcers and gall bladder diseases.  Some claim it has cured gastric and intestinal ulcers (precursors to cancer).  Honey stops the growth of bacterium colonies such as H. pylori which is known to cause gastric ulcers.  For stomach ache take 1 teaspoon of honey, juice of ½ lemon with hot glass of water first thing in the morning.

Ulcers and burns  Applied every 2 to 3 days under a dry dressing, honey promotes healing of ulcers and burns better than any other local application.  It can also be applied to other surface wounds, including cuts and abrasions.  Bacteria cannot live in honey.

Build your immune system  In a March 2004 study at the University of California, Davis, it was reported that daily consumption of raw honey may raise polyphenolic antioxidant levels in blood and reduce the risk of damage by free radicals.  This means consumption of raw honey helps build your immune system and helps build a stronger body.

Crystallized honey is simply the result of the process honey under goes when changing from a liquid to a solid. Sort of like water to ice.  Both commercial honey and raw honey will crystallize over time.  Raw honey may crystallize faster since it has never been heated or filtered.  To bring crystallized honey back to a liquid state, place in a warm water bath.  Do not use the microwave as doing so will break down some of the beneficial minerals.