by Lorelei Cohen

Created on: August 22, 2008

In today's complex world we sometimes forget that the simplest things in life can sometimes be the best things in life. Honey is one of those all too often overlooked little miracles. A very powerful medicinal food, its sweet nectar has been used for thousands of years to treat everything from the common cold and asthma, to intestinal upset, skin lesions and burns.

A powerful antioxidant with antibacterial properties; honey is well deserving of a more prominent role than it currently occupies in the treatment of today's health problems. Composed of natural sugars, honey is rich in magnesium, potassium, calcium, iron and phosphate, as well as vitamins C and B. It is more easily digested than complex refined sugars with approximately forty percent less calories than other sugar sources provide. The sugars within honey reduce fatigue as they fuel the body with an overall increase of energy and brain function.

More powerful than commercially produced cough syrups for the relief of the common cold, a teaspoon of honey dissolved in warm water will diminish cough symptoms and sooth an inflamed throat.

Locally produced honey will provide relief from seasonal asthma symptoms. Bees gather pollen from local flowers and tree blossoms, small amounts of this remain within the honey so when it is consumed it provides an effect similar to that of a doctor's inoculation. Some degree of protection should be acquired the first year that local honey is consumed but the full benefit may take two to three years to become apparent.

Honey has strong antibacterial properties, so when it is applied as a salve on open cuts, the wound is more likely to heal without the risk of infection setting in. Honey has been termed a natural antiseptic. These same antibacterial properties within honey are also believed to improve the health of the human digestive system.

Honey nourishes dry skin or damaged hair, so used as a lotion on either, it replenishes the moisture that day to day living removes.

The strong antioxidants within honey work to decrease or even to prevent the development of arthritis, cancer, heart disease and other age or stress related illnesses. Antioxidants are an amazing aide when it comes to increasing the power of your immune system functioning.

Honey is indeed one of life's miracle foods; consider keeping an ample supply of it in the medicine cabinet, as well as in the kitchen cupboard. You never know when you will need the protective properties that it holds within it.

When purchasing honey to be used as a medicinal aide it is recommended that locally produced honey is purchased rather than commercially produced honey.

Also note that honey should not be given to children under one year of age.

Sources:
http://www.benefits-of-honey.com/health- benefits-of-honey.html
http://www.bees-online.com/Hea lthBenefitsOfHoney.htm
http://www.femhealth.com/Benef itsofHoney.html

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