Natural raw honey has incredible medicinal powers and a seemingly limitless shelf life. Honey has been found buried in Egyptian tombs still edible!
Often the honey that is sold to us is not even honey. I have tried varieties in Asia which I am sure were no more than sugar syrup with flavor and coloring. That is not to say that Asia does not have amazing honey. In many markets you can buy raw, organic honey that still has clumps of honey comb and the odd dead bee embalmed in the amber nectar.
Given the global problem we will face in the future if our bees continue to die I believe it’s appropriate for us to discuss honey and it’s benefits. The loss of the bees and honey would be an unmitigated disaster!
Why Does Honey Last Forever?
It seems that the secret to honey’s longevity is due to a delicate balance of chemicals in honey’s makeup. A combination of hydrogen peroxide, acidity and the lack of water act in unison to make this golden medicine a time traveller. What is unique to this food stuff is that it can stay edible in it's raw form for millennia.
There are a few other food stuffs which can be preserved for long periods of time such as salt and dry rice yet they are not immediately edible. Honey can be stored for thousands of years and when the lid on the pot is opened it can be eaten and enjoyed straight away.
Perhaps we should be storing honey instead of money in banks. Undoubtedly it will keep its value longer!
The Medicinal Properties Of Honey
Honey has many medicinal properties which have been known since the mists of time. Here is a short list of what honey can do to help you:
- Prevent cancer and heart disease
- Reduce ulcers and other gastrointestinal disorders
- Anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-fungal
- Increase athletic performance
- Reduces a cough and throat irritation
- Balance the 5 elements (Ayurveda)
- Blood sugar regulation
- Heal wounds and burns
- Probiotic
- Strengthen the immune system
An interesting fact I was told as a child was that if you have your tooth knocked out and can't get to the dentist quickly you can store the tooth and root in honey. As we know of honey's ability to preserve itself over time this makes sense.
Different Types Of Honey
There are over 40 types of honey available to us and they all have unique tastes and medicinal values. The darker varieties appear to have a greater quantities of antioxidants. Here are just a few:
- Manuka honey - comes from New Zealand and is some of the strongest and most expensive honey available
- Buckwheat
- Wildflower
- Alfalfa
- Black Locust - has the lowest glycemic index (32) of any honey
- Raw Locust Honey
- Blueberry
- Orange Blossom
- Clover
I have never tried blueberry honey but it sounds delicious! I once had a friend who gave me some honey from his land in Indonesia. The honey was completely raw and tasted like strawberry jam! It had been made using strawberry blossoms and was incredible! He was not able to get any more as the process of harvesting the honey was too destructive to the hives of that particular bee.
Honey has incredible properties and if you suffer from ailments it is always worth looking into how honey might alleviate them naturally! 😃
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