Benefits of Raw Honey

   

    Because of the last post being on Honey Bees and a Hard Winter, I thought this post would make a good "Benefits of Raw Honey" one. 

WHAT IS RAW HONEY?    

Raw honey is the honey (nectar from flowers) that is pure, unheated, unpasteurized and unprocessed. To receive maximum health benefits, the honey must therefore be raw. Being raw, it keeps intact all the natural vitamins, enzymes, phytonutrients, as well as other nutritional elements. Raw honey, has said to be used for at least 10,000 years by humans for many reasons. It has played a vital role in health, healing, and religious and cultural traditions. 

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HEALTH BENEFITS OF RAW HONEY:  

          

    Honey, being much sweeter than table sugar, is much better for you. When possible, it is best to buy locally grown, organic, raw honey. This, being produced in, or near the environment you live in. But, why? Well, because consuming foods from the area you live is beneficial, as they contain the immune stimulating properties needed for your body to adapt to its environment. And like anything, when buying fresh, raw honey, it will be tastier and more potent. Below, is an article by Global Healing Center on the health benefits of raw honey! 

• Organic, raw honey can provide an energy boost. Its carbohydrates supply energy and strength and it can boost your endurance and reduce muscle fatigue.
• Honey is a great aid in relieving morning sickness, reportedly even more effective than traditional soda crackers.
• Honey is good for sore throats, laryngitis and pharyngitis.
• Honey and cinnamon can help in many areas including relief from bladder infections, arthritis, upset stomach and bad breath. It’s even supposed to be able to slow down hair loss.
• Raw honey can be used as a medication for issues related to male impotence and female infertility. Warm raw goat milk and raw honey is believed to increase sperm count considerably.
• A salve made of honey, for diabetic ulcers, has been proven effective when other topical ointments are not well tolerated. It can be applied to eczema, canker sores or bleeding gums.
• Honey and apple cider vinegar can be used for many ailments like stomach aches,constipation and even migraines.
• Honey and lemon goes to work in the body shifting the extra fat stores, thus making it usable energy for regular body functions. Honey is cholesterol-free and can reportedly help keep cholesterol levels in check
• Raw honey has a viscous texture due to its low water content. It is a poor environment for bad bacteria to grow and is a good natural preservative.

Raw honey is a remarkable natural substance that is receiving a lot of well-deserved attention. Seek out local markets for organic goods to get the freshest products. Support your local independent farmers; helping them to stay in business is good for them and for your economy.  

   When once talking to a farmer who had BAD allergies, he said every morning before going out to work, he'd always take a tablespoon of raw, local honey. He said it helped him so much and he never had all that coughing, sneezing, and just being miserable!  

BUT WHY CAN'T INFANTS HAVE HONEY?

Honey contains a natural presence of botulinum endospores, therefore, children under one year old should not be given honey. Before the age of twelve months, a child’s intestinal tract is not mature enough to inhibit the growth of Clostridium botulinum, which is often found in honey. No honey, in any form, should be given to babies younger than one. 

   So there you have it! Yet another one of God's natural medicines he put here on this earth! Next time you're at your local farmer's market, feed store, or whatever, be sure and pick up a jar of RAW, local honey! We always get ours from Wayne Wilkins Backyard Bees Honey! 

Have a great SaTuRdAy everyone!!!