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Honey is a pure viscous fluid produced by honey bees and it is said that cupid dipped his arrow into honey before aiming at his victims. Honey is used for baking, as a sweetener and also has many medicinal properties. Honey comes from the nectar of flowers collected by worker bees and its composition is similar to granulated sugar which comes from sugar cane.

The first mention of honey dates back to the Egyptians in 5500 BC, but the honey bee dates back even further. Homo sapiens evolve around 50,000 years ago and it is thought that the little bee dates as far back as 40 million years before man. The Native Americans had no knowledge of the honey bee as they originate from Southeast Asia and were brought over to America by the colonists in 1622. Crops dependent on bees were also brought over during this time. Swarms which managed to escape populated the States as far as the Great Plains and in the 1850's ships carried bees to California.

Before the middle of the 19th century, honey was used as a sweetener as sugar cane which originated in Southeast Asia was unavailable and expensive to use.

The components of honey are glucose, fructose, minerals, and small quantities of zinc, copper and iodine. It also contains vitamins B1, B2, C, B6 and B3. Its properties are anti microbial, anti bacterial and anti fungal and in Chinese traditional medicine it is used to enhance yin energy which is cold energy.

Honey's has many benefits. It can be used for skin disorders as it rejuvenates the skin leaving it soft and glowing and can help to eliminate fine wrinkles regardless of whether it is ingested or applied directly on the skin. Because of its ability to absorb water it also has moisturizing properties.

Honey is useful when treating burns, scars and ulcers because of its antifungal and antibacterial properties and by absorbing water from the surrounding inflamed tissue. Honey is cheap and so is useful for treating wounds in areas where there is no running water. When used to treat wounds it is helpful to warm the honey first making sure it is not too hot before applying to the area. It helps to cure diahhrea by killing bacteria in the gut, promotes rehydration, helps to clear diarrhea, vomiting and soothes upset stomach.

The Chinese have used honey for hundreds of years and believe that taking one teaspoonful a day helps to prevent asthma and cure colds and cough as well as allergies.

Because of honey's antimicrobial properties it can help prevent plaque build up on teeth and there fore help prevent tooth decay. It can be used as a laxative and so can help to cure skin problems associated with bad digestion. The kidneys function better when drinking honey water and by drinking honey and lemon mixed in warm water it can supply energy as well as help to regulate your weight.

For those who suffer from insomnia drinking honey in warm water at night before going to bed will help to calm and reduce stress.

Learn more about this author, Teresa Anne Ng.
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