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It is the oldest sweet; it is one of the purest foods; it is mentioned in the Sumarian and Babylon cuneiform writings; the ancient Egyptians used it; Plato and Aristotle wrote of it; and it will not spoil. It is referred to as the golden nectar of the gods and it has been used to treat maladies for thousands of years.
"The only reason for being a bee that I know of is making honey, and the only reason for making honey is so I can eat it." ...Winnie the Pooh
I was born into a family of beekeepers at a time when sweeteners were in short supply. It was during WWII, but I didn't know the difference, and the women who were doing the cooking used honey for any recipe that called for a sweetener. Even today, I use honey to sweeten my tea, and when I need comfort food, I turn to a light fluffy biscuit spread with honey.
In doing research for this article I found that honey has been used by many cultures for more that 8,000 years. Not only has it been used for food, but it was also used for medicinal purposes. I learned that researchers today are finding even more medical uses for honey. It isn't lore anymore, it is fact, and that makes it time for us to take a look at honey in a new light.
Honey has antimicrobial properties, which means that bacteria and other microorganisms cannot grow in honey. Honey does contain fructose and glucose, but it is also acidic, which some bacteria cannot tolerate. Even when you dilute the honey with water, it promotes the growth of helpful bacteria and gets rid of dangerous strains.
Honey contains glucose oxidase, and when combined with water and oxygen, glucose oxidase produces among other things, hydrogen peroxide. Diluted honey, then, can be used as an antiseptic, and one that is less damaging to tissue than regular hydrogen peroxide. Not all honeys are the same, however. It all depends on the plant that provided the source nectar.
Just as honeys vary in color, they also vary in medicinal properties. It doesn't become bad for you, it just becomes different. You also have to take into consideration the fact that we can't always know just where that bee has been or if it has partaken of pollutants on its way back to the hive. For that reason commercial providers are tested thoroughly and frequently.
There is one thing I learned from all my reading and it is important to share with you now. Until a child's digestive system has enough beneficial bacteria, honey probably should not be given to a very young child. Most sources say that after one year of age, beneficial bacteria has been established in a healthy child. Too bad nobody knew that when I was little, because I think I have been eating honey from birth.
During WWII honey was still being used as an antiseptic in treating wounds, but when penicillin began its impact on medicine, honey's importance was put aside. But, as with many things, history recycles itself, and now scientists are taking an even closer look at honey.
Professor Peter Molan, a biochemist at the University of Waikato in New Zealand, has identified one particular type of honey with extraordinary healing properties. He has shown that honey made from the flowers of the manuka bush, a New Zealand native plant, has antibacterial properties over and above those of other honeys. He has learned that in addition to hydrogen peroxide which is in all honey, manuka honey contains an additional property which he has named Unique Manuka Factor (UMF). UMF when compared with a standard antiseptic, has a much broader spectrum. It works on bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and all infectious organisms. Professor Molan says that UMF honey can also tackle antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria, which continues to be a growing problem of hospitals worldwide.
Manuka honey has successfully treated leg ulcers, pressure sores, and it helps for healing after surgery particularly in diabetic patients. It proves to have an anti inflammatory effect as well. Cancer specialist Dr. Glenys Round has also found Manuka honey to be an effective treatment for cancer wounds that have affected the skin. She has had success using honey dressings on patients with wounds or ulcers resulting from radiation therapy. The best part of all of these trials is that most patients are very willing to try honey as a treatment for a painful skin eruption.
The Christie Hospital in Didsbury, Manchester, UK is studying the effects of Manuka honey on mouth and throat cancer patients. The Manchester Royal Infirmary has had success using special Manuka honey coated surgical dressings. It seems to reduce inflammation and the instances of staph infection. In Germany parents are being encouraged to replace sugar and other sweets with honey.
Honey seems to be useful for everybody, whether one is healthy or ill. It is an excellent preventive measure to increase immunity, reduce anemia, neuroses, liver and heart disorders, alimentary canal disorders, pharyngitis, laryngitis and bronchitis. It can be diluted and taken just before a meal to reduce digestive disorders. It can be included in stomach ulcer treatment. In New Zealand, Dr. Molan has developed honey dressings that are like a sheet of rubber, there is no stickiness in the product.
Keep in mind that Manuka honey is being studied for more intensive medicinal properties. The commercial honey that is available to us is equally effective for everyday use. With all this knowledge available I have decided that I will use honey as a preventative. Don't you think it will certainly justify all those honey filled fluffy biscuits that I might decide to consume?
Photo credits : Thank you Melody for the photos of the honeybee and the honeybee swarm, and thanks to Floridian for the wild bee hive, all found in Plant Files.
About Sharon Brown
I am a retired high school art and humanities teacher. I grew up in the Appalachian mountains of southeast KY and now I live with my two rescued cats, Jazz and Daisy, in far western KY. I love the history of my state and its plants, and you will see that love reflected in my writings.
Posted by mamoriah (from Maitland, FL) on May 22, 2008 at 12:51 PM:
Thanks so much for all of the info re honey! Please see if you can clarify something for me: does real honey crystalize after it has sat around for a few weeks, or has the "honey" been tampered with? And have you heard of anyone being allergic to honey? Thanks so much for your help! "Ma"
...
Posted by Sharran (from Calvert City, KY) on May 22, 2008 at 1:01 PM:
Ma, nice to hear from you.
In my experience honey does not crystalize for a long time. I keep mine in a kitchen cabinet, and at the moment have 2 which are both opened, because I forgot the old one still had honey in it. They have both been in the cabinet for a couple of months, and they are fine. I am finally to the end of the first one. Also in my experience, if you refrigerate it, it will crystalize.
I need to do more research on crystalization.
I also have never known of anyone being allergic to honey. Since it produces its own hydrogen peroxide when exposed to moisture, I would think not, but again I will also do a research and get back with you.
Thanks for your interest.
Sharon
...
Posted by Sharran (from Calvert City, KY) on May 22, 2008 at 1:30 PM:
Here is some info on honey allergies, I also sent it to you in a D mail.
Posted by mamoriah (from Maitland, FL) on May 23, 2008 at 10:37 AM:
Dear Sharran, Thank you so much for getting to me so quickly with exactly the kinds of articles I needed to answer my questions regarding honey crystallization and allergies. You are a super lady! Great information! Thanks again! "Ma"
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Posted by Sharran (from Calvert City, KY) on May 23, 2008 at 10:47 AM:
I hope it helps, MM....you have a happy and safe weekend.
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Subject: Sharon. . .
Posted by Kathleen (from Panama, NY) on May 13, 2008 at 5:10 PM:
. . . now I have to go make some biscuits!
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Posted by Sharran (from Calvert City, KY) on May 13, 2008 at 5:33 PM:
Yep, Kathleen. I know just what you mean. Me, too.
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Posted by Soulja (from Louisville, KY) on May 13, 2008 at 6:02 PM:
Tasty article Shar. You just keep pumpin' out them Masterpieces! We Love it !!!
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Posted by melody (from Benton, KY) on May 13, 2008 at 8:17 PM:
Yep, biscuits are a must.
Loved it!
...
Posted by Sharran (from Calvert City, KY) on May 13, 2008 at 8:31 PM:
Well.
I cheated.
I would've had to figure out how to make a small number of biscuits, instead of my usual dozen when family is here. That was wayyyy too complicated, so I ran to the grocery and got one of the small cans of flaky biscuits.
UmmmmUmmmmmmm.
thanks to all of you.
...
Posted by MargaretK (from PERTH
(Australia)) on May 19, 2008 at 4:52 AM:
Great article, Sharon. Manuka products are quite readily available in Australia. I have used a Manuka honey wound gel on the odd cut and have found it very effective. I had one one those ugly brown "age spots" on my knee and in a flash of inspiration, used the Manuka gel covered with a bandaid on it once or twice a day for about a month and it completely vanished. That was 2 or 3 years ago and there's no sign of it returning. The best foot cream I've ever used is one made with Manuka honey.
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Posted by Sharran (from Calvert City, KY) on May 19, 2008 at 10:34 AM:
That is so good to hear, MargaretK. I have not found Manuka products here, but I would like to.
I am glad you liked the article and it is nice to hear from you.
I will be looking for Manuka honey products.
Thank you.
...
Subject: Zzzzzz
Posted by jjacques (from LE TAMPON
(Reunion (French))) on May 13, 2008 at 9:40 AM:
Real interesting. I buy honey combs every once in a while on the market and really enjoy chewing the mix of honey and wax, really cleans your teeth. We have quite a few different honey here on tropical Reunion island; lichee honey, Brazilian pepper honey and a special one called 'green honey' which does have some greenish colors which is made with pollen of some forest trees.
JJ
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Posted by gloria125 (from Greensboro, AL) on May 13, 2008 at 11:12 AM:
jjacques: I use beeswax to make my thread stiff enough to go through a needle. Never thought to use it to clean my teeth!
...
Posted by jjacques (from LE TAMPON
(Reunion (French))) on May 13, 2008 at 12:27 PM:
Ah well Gloria, I am a tricky dude, I get my teeth stiff enough with wax to go through a needle!!!
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Posted by gloria125 (from Greensboro, AL) on May 13, 2008 at 12:29 PM:
c'mon jjaques! You are pulling my leg!
...
Posted by jjacques (from LE TAMPON
(Reunion (French))) on May 13, 2008 at 12:42 PM:
Who, me or my waxy teeth?
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Posted by picante (from Helena, MT) on May 13, 2008 at 1:02 PM:
Voyons, Jacques, tu nous fais marcher. [What she said.]
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Posted by gloria125 (from Greensboro, AL) on May 13, 2008 at 1:03 PM:
You! Ahah! you can't just blame your teeth!
Beautiful Day in May here in Alabama. How is it where you are jjacques???
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Posted by gloria125 (from Greensboro, AL) on May 13, 2008 at 1:04 PM:
Its a long time since I took French in school.
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Posted by jjacques (from LE TAMPON
(Reunion (French))) on May 13, 2008 at 1:24 PM:
Hi there,
Ah well, where I am is beautiful but you can't tell cause it is pitch black...nine twenty one pm right now.
Funny thing those colloquials, in English you say 'to pull one's leg' while in French we say 'faire marcher' which literaly translates 'you make me walk' and I guess this is also what happens if somebody's leg is pulled, unless he/she wants to fall flat!
Hey, Picante, you're pretty good! Does MT stands for Montana? I almost froze to death there, hitch-hiking in september and having to ride in the back of an open truck...beautiful wild country anyway.
...
Posted by gloria125 (from Greensboro, AL) on May 13, 2008 at 1:29 PM:
Then you have been to the United States? Out in the country even!
...
Posted by picante (from Helena, MT) on May 13, 2008 at 2:22 PM:
Jacques, there is a lake high in the Madison Range called "Froze-to-Death Lake".
I worked for 8 summers in Yellowstone National Park. Did you hitch through there?
The people in Madagascar are called "Malgache" in French, so what are the people in Réunion called?? Ça fait plusieurs fois que je me pose cette question.
...
Posted by Sharran (from Calvert City, KY) on May 13, 2008 at 7:41 PM:
Well, what a fun thread. I love to play word association...from honey to wax to a French class to Montana.
I love it, and glad it took place here. Merci, mes amis.!
(I know, it's been too long...that's the best I can do, sorry JJ.)
...
Posted by jjacques (from LE TAMPON
(Reunion (French))) on May 13, 2008 at 11:57 PM:
Hey Sharran, that's a good start, keep going!
Pikante, yes I did spent some time in Yellowstone, how could I miss it! The people on Réunion are called Réunionnais and Réunionnaise but as it is a real mixing pot most locals are créoles and then you have people like me who come from France and are named Zoreils, the folks from Indo-Pakistan are either Zarabs, Malbars or Tamouls, we of course have Chinese, Mahorais come from Mayotte island (another small French territory in the area) while Comores are from the Comoro, Gash are from Mada, Zanatany where born in Mada but from non-Malagasy parents and so on.
Gloria, actually I spent five months traveling through the US by the skin of my thumb (this was when I was still young and crazy) and spent most time in the out in the country, I even was a French wet-back in Colorado picking apples with Mexicans. What a great fantastic marvelous super-duper time did I have (and a couple bummers too...)
JJ
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Posted by Sharran (from Calvert City, KY) on May 14, 2008 at 12:08 AM:
JJ, je ne rappele pas. C'est tout, je regrette.
I am so glad you had a good time here in our country, well more good than bad, n'cest pas?? There were times when I was teaching that I would have exchange students in my humanities classes. With my very poor French, and their nearly excellent English, we always had a good time. I was much better with the language while I had a French student in my class.
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Posted by picante (from Helena, MT) on May 14, 2008 at 1:56 PM:
Jacques, I was in Yellowstone from 1979 to 1986. You know, we may have met. Either at an information desk or in the hotpots at the 45th parallel (locally known as "Boiling River"). I was already bilingual.
So you're a Zoreil. Where on Earth does that word come from? Is it derived from "les oreilles"?
...
Posted by gloria125 (from Greensboro, AL) on May 14, 2008 at 2:03 PM:
What an interesting discussion. I know it doesn't have a thing to do with honey!
...
Posted by Sharran (from Calvert City, KY) on May 14, 2008 at 2:11 PM:
That's OK, it sure is fun to read.
...
Posted by gloria125 (from Greensboro, AL) on May 14, 2008 at 2:20 PM:
i guess it has to do with the second honey!
in Pass the honey, honey!
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Posted by Sharran (from Calvert City, KY) on May 14, 2008 at 2:24 PM:
Cute, guess so.
My daughter and I both love honey. That phrase, Pass the honey, honey...was our own little comment every morning when she was still living at home. I couldn't resist it as a title for the article.
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Posted by picante (from Helena, MT) on May 14, 2008 at 3:15 PM:
OK, let's see if I can somehow tie the French stuff in with the honey. It's gonna be tough: "miel" [honey] is not a term of endearment in French. But "chou" [cabbage] is. What do honey and cabbages have in common? Not much, but they're both edible.
Passe-moi le chou, mon chou.
would be the equivalent of
Pass the honey, honey.
...
Posted by gloria125 (from Greensboro, AL) on May 14, 2008 at 3:36 PM:
pass the honey cabbage???
...
Posted by jjacques (from LE TAMPON
(Reunion (French))) on May 15, 2008 at 9:37 AM:
Wow, yes 'passes moi le chou mon chou' sounds just fine, probably not as sweet and romantic as honey but...
Picante, I was in Yellowstone sometimes in September 79 but I can't remember talking to anyone in French there but who knows we might have met or walked by each other, life is so funny sometimes! Yes, Zoreil is créole for 'les oreilles' as people not from Reunion tend to 'faire zoreil' which means either pretend not to understand creole or try hard to do so, and we say in French (from which Reunionese creole comes) 'tendre l'oreille' when we have hard time hearing or understanding.
Indeed, we went quite far away from honey but DG seems to be a pretty open place ain't it?
See you then, honeys and choux!
...
Posted by Dollykat (from Lucasville, OH) on May 19, 2008 at 10:44 PM:
jjacques: Did you happen to travel to Louisiana and hear any Cajun French? Their motto is "laissez les bons temps rouler."
How do some people get DG early? I don't receive it until each Monday morning. I note some people are posting notes much before today, May 19.
Sharon, this information about Manuka honey is so interesting. Also, when I have a cold, especially with a cough, I have found that a hot drink made with pomegranate juice (Pom, usually,) water, and a liberal dose of honey is quite therapeutic and relieves the congestion and cough. I know there is reportedly be a die-off of honeybees due to a virus, but I have seen many, many honeybees in my garden in the last few years and I hope again this year. They particularly like the perennial salvias and penstemons, which are just about to start blooming.
...
Posted by Sharran (from Calvert City, KY) on May 19, 2008 at 11:22 PM:
Dollykat,
The articles are posted every day of the week on the right side of your DG homepage, so most of the threads are started then. This particular article came out last Tuesday, I think, then repeated every Monday in the newsletter. It might depend on the type membership you have, too. I'm not sure.
But so glad you enjoyed the article. I haven't yet seen a decrease in honeybees here, either. I hope it doesn't happen because we need them for a lot of reasons.
Hope you are having a nice spring.
...
Posted by jjacques (from LE TAMPON
(Reunion (French))) on May 20, 2008 at 12:26 PM:
Dollykat,
No, I did not go further than Texas but I have hear cajun music and they do have a funny French, kinda like some people in Quebec. I hope I go back to the USA some day and see more of it!
JJ
...
Subject: Good Article
Posted by phicks (from Lakeland, FL) on May 13, 2008 at 9:06 AM:
I use honey in my tea and coffee Paul
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Posted by Sharran (from Calvert City, KY) on May 13, 2008 at 10:06 AM:
Paul, I am so glad to hear you say that. Me too.....and in my infrequent oatmeal, and in the more infrequent breads that I bake.....the list goes on.
Nice to hear from you.
...
Posted by dragonfly53 (from South Boston, VA) on May 13, 2008 at 1:10 PM:
I love honey drizzled on top of yogurt, especially homemade yogurt. I used to make a sore throat/cough remedy from a recipe given to me by the childrens pediatrician (who was also my pediatrician when I was born!). It consisted of honey, a drop of Ipecac and an opver the counter cough syrup that was green (dimetapp maybe?). The cough syrup was discontinued back in the 80's and I have never been able to find anything that could replace it.
My other fall back was hot water with fresh squeezed lemon juice sweetened with honey. Only if things got really bad, did we take antibiotics!
...
Posted by Sharran (from Calvert City, KY) on May 13, 2008 at 2:07 PM:
Me, too Dragonfly, antibiotics were a last resort. But I never thought about putting honey in yogurt. Now I will, thanks.
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Posted by phicks (from Lakeland, FL) on May 13, 2008 at 2:44 PM:
Its Great on top of Baked Brie Cheese
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Posted by Sharran (from Calvert City, KY) on May 13, 2008 at 3:12 PM:
now that you mention it I can remember having it on vanilla icecream too.....as well as Brie.
i am going to have to take notes on these comments!!
...
Subject: Hahaaa..Clapping hands!!
Posted by Seedtosser1 (from Glenview, IL) on May 13, 2008 at 1:24 AM:
Eating honey since birth? Haha..that is one awsom line Shar, and yet somehow I think so.
No wonder your you are the KY MM. Hmmmmm, big cheesy grin there.
Oh, seriously here...I just finished reading The article on Bees from Critterologist, (what a cute name-I mean critterologist)
Then here you are!, Yep still up.
Now see...I hope you are wearing that...S. A. B. LOL
only in thought. wrinkle nose now. giggle.
Computers are awsom and we are still learning medicinal purposes from plants.
Ha, Modern day Medicine woman you! LOVE IT!!
.....ok just can't help it, Dr. M.M. wide open grins, hehehe.
...
Posted by doccat5 (from Fredericksburg, VA) on May 13, 2008 at 4:11 AM:
Well done! Good job, Sharran, this is very informative, thanks for sharing.
...
Posted by cathy4 (from St. Louis County, MO) on May 13, 2008 at 10:30 AM:
Honey in hot tea has always been part of our cure for sore throats, now I know why! Thanks for this information.
...
Posted by LouC (from Desoto, TX) on May 13, 2008 at 11:20 AM:
I, too, was born during WWII. Spent a great deal of my childhood "barking" with bronchitis. Honey and a squeeze of lemon were my mother's main treatment. When it got really bad, as in near pneumonia, my Baptist mother concocted a hot toddy that would relax my throat where I could breathe. Instinct has guided mothers care throughout the centuries. Nature provides a cure for most everything. Thank you for a very informative article.
Christi
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Posted by Sharran (from Calvert City, KY) on May 13, 2008 at 12:05 PM:
Thanks to all of you for your comments. Seedtosser, thanks for explaining the initials, I didn't know MM was Mighty Mouse, and now I think that SAB means Stinking Asphidity Bag. Thank you.
It is so nice to hear from all of you. And Christi, I am very familiar with hot toddies, it was the honey that made it easier to swallow.
...
Posted by Bettypauze (from Victoria Harbour, ON) on May 13, 2008 at 8:49 PM:
Enjoyed your article Shar...Judy girl, you are much too young I'm sure to be remembering Mighty Mouse..couldn't wait to get home to watch it..wasn't there a Minnie Mouse as well..sull of energy..lol
Love honey in my coffee Shar..
Yet another great article....
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Posted by Starzz (from Newcastle, ON) on May 19, 2008 at 1:06 PM:
Hi Sharon,
You have peaked my interest in honey now. :)
Will have to pay more attention to it, and maybe try some of the medicinal uses.
There is a man who keeps honey bees in the apple orchard across the road. I just finished a big jar of his honey and I have had it a long time..and wondered about it never going bad.
Thanks for being "our teacher"
Cheers,
Carol
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Posted by Sharran (from Calvert City, KY) on May 19, 2008 at 4:48 PM:
Thanks, Carol. I don't think I could make it through a day without my honey.
Wish I lived near a bee keeper now, but don't know of any in this area.
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Posted by lizrainey (from San Mateo, CA) on May 20, 2008 at 7:16 AM:
shar, loved the article!! always used honey for sweetner and for sore throat,
dont know if you have a trader joes near by you but they have honey sticks regular and lemmon flavor there a wonderful pick me up during the day
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Posted by Sharran (from Calvert City, KY) on May 20, 2008 at 10:41 AM:
