Honey is a very fascinating product. It is a substance created by bees through a difficult procedure. Bees absorb nectar into their stomachs and deliver it back to their beehives. They throw up the nectar repeatedly. When they throw up the nectar repeatedly, acid, ferments, and albumen are added to the nectar. Honey contains most of the essential mineral elements that our bodies need. More than 180 nutritional substances have been found in honey.
Beekeeping is a very ancient practice. Evidence from mesoptamia, Greece and Egypt shows practices of beekeeping.
Honey is mentioned in the bible and was considered sacred and very valuable. It was used to pay debt and taxes. It was also used to draw and paint. Honey has essential minerals, vitamins, and proteins. It is known for its medicinal and therapeutic abilities and has a good source of energy. Honey can be easily digested and adapted by humans.
Honey is important for the balance of the biological process of the body when eaten. Honey is an energetic product because it contains fructose and glucose that goes directly to the blood. Honey can be medicinal, used as a sweetener, and used as a food. After eating honey for some time, it can help control rheumatism and arthritis, helps digestion, and can prevent different types of respiratory conditions. Honey is an ingredient in some beauty products such as shampoos, facemasks, and etc. Honey has softening and astringent properties and can be used on the skin.
Consuming honey stimulates and increases physical resistance, therefore enhancing your life quality. Honey decreases insomnia, assist in healing, laxative and digestive, antiseptic, helps fight the cough, and helps in the treatment of gastritis. Besides hydrating the skin, honey also helps heal wounds and minor burns on the skin.
Nigerian physicians were able to cure serious burns, wounds and ulcers on the skin by using only honey. Previously the physicians tried other treatments with antibiotics that did not worked as well. The doctors studied samples of the wounds and found them to be caused by bacteria, which is more resistant. When honey was applied to the infected skin, no microorganisms were found one week later. In since honey is very viscous, absorbs water, and slightly acid; it cleaned the wounds, reduced their size and protected it from other infections. The physicians stated that honey has bactericidal agent properties. It is said that honey can help manage, prevent or cure cramps, throat irritation, respiratory diseases, urinary irritation, dental caries, insomnia, skin burn, stomach ulcer, liver illnesses, eye irritation, intestinal and digestive disturbances, physical fatigue, and rheumatic pains.
The flavor, color, and aroma of honey can be different, depending on what plant or flower the bee collected nectar from. The climate and altitude can also affect the characteristics of honey. Often clear honey means little flavor and aroma. Darker honey has more minerals and proteins. So basically it’s best to say the darker the honey then the more nutritious it is. Honey fattens less than sugar. Honey can be very useful for athletes and adults because it is a good source of carbohydrates and energy.
Top photo credit: Honey by Siona Karen
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In text photo credit: Honey Show 2 by brockvicky
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