Health Blog #2: Raw Honey

   
                    "Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey" -Exodus 33:3

Health Benefits of Raw Honey:
     *vitamins (calcium, iron, potassium, Vit. B complex, zinc, phosphorus, magnesium, and selenium)
     *enzymes, which help with digestion
     *antioxidants "the nutraceuticals contained in honey help neutralize damaging free radical activity" (DrJoshAxe.com)
     *anti-viral
     *anti-bacterial
     *anti-fungal
     *strengthens the immune system
     *eliminates seasonal allergies
     *helps stabilize blood pressure
     *can calm nerves and may help with falling asleep faster
     *anti-inflammatory
     *expectorant
     *treats acne (have a pimple? Pat raw honey on it and cover it with a band aid before tucking yourself in bed.  Wake up in the morning and notice the difference :))
     *Blocks free radicals (yes, fights cancer - worth typing 2x)
     *maintains healthy heart by reducing homocysteine levels
     * reduces irritation in sore throat
     *promotes the growth of good bacteria in gut
     *helps with sunburned skin

     Conventional, processed honey has none of these benefits.  Buy RAW :)  When cooking, try not to put it in baked goods, as the heat dramatically decreases the nutrients and benefits.

     Honey was used in Ancient Greece and Egypt on wounds.  It has the power to dry out bacteria and kill microbes.  Greek Physician Dioscorides in 50 A.D. used raw honey for sunburn and infected wounds.  He was a renowned physician that traveled thoroughly through Greece and Rome searching for medicinal properties in nature.  He wrote a book, "the preparation, properties, and testing of drugs," that thrived in the field of medicine for the next 16,000 years. 

     Fast forward to Aug. 27, 1951 and Neosporin was patented.  Today it is the conventional and most used antibiotic cream in America.  It has been marketed and putting a pretty penny in corporate America's pocket for 65 years now.  Currently it is owned by Johnson and Johnson.

     A few facts about Neosporin:

    *Neosporin may OR may not "harm an unborn baby."  Therefore, pregnant woman are strongly advised not to use it.
    *One study showed using Vaseline is just as effective as Neosporin.
    *A prolonged time of using it, rarely, may cause a fungal or a different bacterial skin infection.
    *In a few cases, it has caused hearing loss.
    *I will never buy Neosporin again and haven't bought it in years.  When I had an infected blister, and later an infected would on my ankle, raw honey fought it hard and won!!
    *More common negative reactions are allergic reactions.  These include swelling, difficulty breathing, mild itching, rashing, and minor skin irritation.

     When I googled "allergic reactions to raw honey" I was given a list of articles on raw, local honey being effective in eliminating seasonal allergies.  It has traces of pollen that subjects the immune system to overcome it.  It's wise to start consuming small amounts.  Also, it's amazing that raw honey has "all the living enzymes needed to protect your body from a histamine overdose"  (DIYnatural.com).

   It is worth mentioning that children under one should NOT eat raw honey due to the slight risk of botulism poisoning.  The original source of this poisoning is a bacteria that can be found in soil.  Once children reach one their immune system can fight this and there is no danger in raw honey:).

   What's beautiful about raw honey is "bees spend thousands of hours collecting pollen from around 2 million flowers to make one pound of pure honey" (Dr.Axe.com).  I found and listed 17 health benefits of it and a 1 lb. jar costs about 9 - 12 dollars.  What are you waiting for???? Don't you want to beeeee happy and healthy:) 


Sources:
WebMD.com
NaturalNews.com
LiveStrong.com
Dr.Axe.com
DIYnatural.com
nlm.nih.gov/hmd/greek