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The
Healing Properties of Honey
Referred to as the “Nectar
of the Gods”, Honey has been held in high esteem for many centuries for
its rejuvenating, healing and nutritional benefits. Cleopatra added it to
her ritual “milk” bath to enhance her beauty, and Poppea, the wife of
Roman Emperor, Nero used a Honey and milk lotion on her face to maintain
her youthful complexion. It was so highly valued that the ancient Romans
used Honey instead of gold to pay their taxes.
Honey is produced in one of the most well organised and streamlined
factories that nature has to offer, the Beehive. Bees travel for thousands
of kilometres and visit over two million flowers to collect enough nectar
to make half a kilogram of Honey. There are more than 300 different types
of Honey in the world which originate from sources such as orange blossom,
alfalfa, sage and clover. The colour and flavour depend on the age of the
Honey and type of nectar. Light-coloured Honeys are usually of higher
quality than the darker ones.
For an immediate energy boost, add a spoonful of Honey to water, or add
some Honey to a bowl of low-fat yoghurt and fresh fruit. Honey makes a
wonderful alternative to refined sugar. It is one of the few foods that
can be eaten in its near-natural state as it doesn’t contain any
additives, and is almost always free of pesticides and herbicides.
Honey is made up of fructose, glucose and water, as well as small amounts
of vitamins, acids, natural anti-oxidants, and minerals like calcium,
copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, sodium and
zinc. Liquid Honey doesn’t go off, and because of its high sugar
concentration, is able to eradicate any invading bacteria through
plasmolysis (when water is drawn from a cell). As long as the moisture
content stays under 18%, virtually no organism can successfully multiply
to significant amounts in Honey.
Much has been documented about the anti-bacterial and anti-microbial
properties of Honey. In days of old, strips of clean linen were dipped
into melted beeswax, smeared with Honey and wrapped around wounds to
promote healing. More recently it has been recommended for the treatment
of burns, bruises, infected wounds and skin ulcers. It can also be applied
to the skin to clear ringworm and eczema.
Eat Honey everyday to relieve and prevent hay fever. Take two tablespoons
of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of Honey in a glass of lukewarm water
and drink regularly to clear a bladder infection.
It is not advisable to eat Honey if you suffer from Diabetes, or to give
it to children under the age of one as it may cause a serious disease of
the nervous system called infant botulism.
Honey and Orange Booster
1 cup plain non-fat yoghurt
1 orange peeled, sectioned and seeded
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon Honey
1/2 teaspoon of grated orange rind
Process in a blender until smooth and enjoy! |