by Vicki Niedzielska

Created on: August 24, 2008

One of nature's most generous providers, the honey bee works tirelessly in its creation of this wonderful sweet substance. Besides being a wonderful way of persuading my young son to eat his toast, honey has a startling range of medicinal benefits to offer. Honey has been used therapeutically for well over 2000 years, with Aristotle himself proclaiming the benefits of using honey as a salve for wounds and eye sores. Modern research continues to bear out the anecdotal evidence of the near magical healing powers of honey.

Honey can be used both internally and externally to treat a wide variety of conditions. It has powerful anti-microbial properties which prevent the growth of bacteria and other microorganisms. It's thick, viscous consistency makes it an excellent agent for coating inflamed areas such as peptic ulcers, which it soothes and helps to heal. It promotes healthy intestinal functions, relieving both constipation and diarrhea. And in case you need some "strange but true" stories for your next dinner party weight for weight, honey contains more anti-oxidants than spinach, strawberries, apples, oranges and other similar fruits and vegetables. The benefits of consuming these wonderful nutrients is reduced risk of developing many forms of cancer, reduced risk of heart disease, reduced narrowing of the arteries, and increased immune system power to help you fight any infections which come your way. Including honey in your diet is a wonderfully healthy and delicious treat which you needn't feel guilty about!

It is in the treatment of external wounds and infections that honey takes on almost mythical healing powers. Used for millennia as an aid to restoring health, it is in modern years that we have begun to really understand the full extent of its therapeutic properties.
In wound care, honey is used widely to treat everything from mild cuts and scrapes, burns and even dry skin conditions such as psoriasis, to major breaches of the skin. Topical applications of honey are known to ease sun burn, reduce scarring and act as an all round skin softener and moisturizer. It has even been suggested that it can slow tooth decay (although I am a bit skeptical here as surely all that sweetness must be bad for my teeth?)

The antibacterial properties of honey have been harnessed by several companies who produce medicated dressings drenched with the substance to aid healing. Honey is used to treat acne, and is commonly used to ease sore throats, coughs and colds. The consistency

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