Practical Use Of Honey
Far back as 5,000 years ago it was used for medicinal
purposes, in cooking and as a preservative, as a medicinal agent, in cosmetics,
and in soaps, and even the beeswax has been used for candles.
Contains other sugars, enzymes, minerals, vitamins, amino
acids, and most important, disease fighting antioxidants
The enzymes present in honey aid in the digestion of raw
sugars and starch. The sugar content in honey is in a very simple, predigested
form, directly absorbed by our body. Normal sugar has to be broken down into
simpler forms to be digested and absorbed. Honey may aid digestion, but as the
calorific content is high, it won’t keep you slim. Be aware also that honey,
like other sugary food, rots your teeth.
American Heart Association recommends 6 teaspoons (about
100 calories) of added
sugar daily for women, no more than 9 teaspoons for men.
The following some of suggestions
for range of minor ailments or preventative suggestions. For more serious
conditions, should always seek medical advice if in doubt.
ARTHRITIS
As a topical application: Take one tablespoon
of honey to two tablespoons of lukewarm water. Add a small teaspoon of cinnamon
powder, make a paste and massage it on to the affected part of the body.
Honey and cinnamon drink:
Take one cup of hot water with
four teaspoons of honey and a small teaspoon of cinnamon powder three times a
day.
Vinegar drink:
Drink a glass of water with two teaspoons of cider
vinegar and two teaspoons of honey three times a day. It dissolves the crystal
deposits of uric acid that form between joints.
Danish remedy:
Take one tablespoon of honey and half a teaspoon of
cinnamon powder before breakfast. CAUTION: While this seems to be effective,
always ask your doctor before attempting to diagnose yourself or deciding upon
medication to alleviate any symptoms.
BAD BREATH
One teaspoon of honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot
water every morning, so that their breath stays fresh throughout the day.
BOILS
One tablespoon of cider vinegar and one tablespoon of
honey mixed in a cup of hot water at least twice a day may bring relief; you
should also drink plenty of water. If the boil does come to a head where it is
going to open, continue to drink the vinegar and honey tea and the water. Use
hot packs on the boil for 15 to 20 minutes three times a day. What is also
important is not to squeeze a boil.
BLADDER INFECTIONS
Take two tablespoons of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon
of honey in a glass of lukewarm water. CHOLESTEROL
Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder. Spread on bread or toast. This is said to reduce the cholesterol from eating buttered, jammy equivalents.
COLITIS
Cider vinegar and honey have been used effectively in the
treatment of colitis. Take two teaspoons of cider vinegar and honey with water,
three times a day. CONSTIPATION
As far as constipation is concerned, honey is, apparently, a popular laxative.
COUGHS
There are many types of coughs, and these should be
treated with reference to their nature and intensity. However, the vinegar and
honey treatment may help some types. Tickly cough: Two teaspoons of cider vinegar and two of honey mixed with a glassful of water should be taken before meals, or when the irritation occurs. In the evening it would be an idea to have this mixture by your bed so that it can be sipped during the night.
If you are really brave, or desperate, try this one:
Relieve a cough by mixing half a cup of apple cider vinegar, half a cup of water, one teaspoon of cayenne pepper, and four teaspoons of honey. Take a tablespoon when the cough starts and another tablespoon at bedtime.
CAUTION: While this seems to be effective, always ask your doctor before attempting to diagnose yourself or deciding upon medication to alleviate any symptoms
DETOX AND ENERGIZER
Taking honey with hot water and a slice of lemon is a
great way to kick-start your day. It provides an energy boost that is much
better for you than caffeine.
ECZEMA
Take cider vinegar and honey in a glassful of water three
times a day, with meals. Under no circumstances should salt be taken, as this
can aggravate the eczema condition considerably. TIRED AND SORE EYES
The cider vinegar therapy together with honey are the essential ingredients here. Take two teaspoons of each in a glassful of water, three times a day. This mixture delays the onset of tired and sore eyes which are usually apparent in later life, as it supplies them with those vital elements essential to their health and function.
FATIGUE
Chronic fatigue is a warning that the body needs some
attention. To remedy a poor quality sleep, honey is highly recommended, as it
acts as a sedative to the body. Twenty minutes after the honey has been taken
into the mouth it has been digested and absorbed into the body. This is because
it is a predigested sugar, already digested in the stomach of the honey bee,
and it requires no effort on the part of the human stomach to digest. Keep the
following mixture by your bedside, to be taken as indicated: three teaspoons of
apple cider vinegar to 275 ml (½ pint) of honey. Take two teaspoons of the
mixture before retiring. This should induce sound sleep within an hour. If,
however, you have been unable to sleep within this period, repeat the dosage.
Senior citizens who take honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts, are more
alert and flexible. Half a tablespoon of honey taken in a glass of water and
sprinkled with cinnamon powder should be taken in the afternoon at about 3 p.m.
when the vitality of the body starts to decrease.
FLATULENCE
Honey is taken with cinnamon powder the stomach is
relieved of gas.
HAIR LOSS
Apply a paste of warm olive oil, one tablespoon of honey
and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder before a bath. Keep it on for about 15
minutes before washing the hair.
HAY FEVER
For another effective relief use honey and cider vinegar.
Take a tablespoonful of honey after each meal for approximately a fortnight
before the onset of the hay-fever season. Two teaspoons of cider vinegar and
two of honey in a glass of water, three times a day, should then be taken. This
dosage should be maintained during the entire hay-fever season. CAUTION: While this seems to be effective, always ask your doctor before attempting to diagnose yourself or deciding upon medication to alleviate any symptoms
HEALING PROPERTIES
Sterilize wounds and assist healing. Glucose oxidase
found in honey combines with water and produces hydrogen peroxide, of which the
antiseptic properties are released when honey touches the skin. Various types
of honey contain different antibacterial substances.
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
A balance must be maintained between proteins and
carbohydrates. The following dosage should be taken: two teaspoons of apple
cider vinegar and honey in a glass of water — up to three or four times a day.
IMMUNE SYSTEM
Honey contains various vitamins and iron. Constant use of
honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles to fight bacteria and viral
diseases.
INDIGESTION
Cinnamon powder, sprinkled on two tablespoons of honey
taken before food, relieves acidity and aids digestion. It could also make you
put on a lot of weight.
INFERTILITY IN MEN
If impotent men
regularly take two tablespoons of honey before going to sleep, their problem
will apparently be solved.
INFERTILITY IN WOMEN
In the Far East,
women who cannot conceive take a pinch of cinnamon powder inhalf a teaspoon of honey and apply it to the gums frequently throughout the day, so that it slowly mixes with the saliva and enters the body.
IMPOTENCE, PREMATURE
EJACULATION AND VIRILITY
Powdered cardamom seeds boiled with milk and mixed in a
glass with a spoon of honey is believed to be an excellent remedy against
impotence and premature ejaculation, and promotes virility. In the East, ginger
has lived up to its reputation of being a powerful herb. Indian literature
recommends a mixture of ginger juice, honey and half-boiled eggs, taken nightly
for a month, as a remedy against impotence.
INSOMNIA
There have been excellent results with the cider vinegar
and honey treatment as follows: two teaspoons of cider vinegar and two of honey
in a glass of water to be taken before retiring. It would also be beneficial to
have a glass of this mixture by the bedside to sip if needed.
LONGEVITY
Tea made with honey and cinnamon arrests the ravages of
old age, when taken regularly. Take four teaspoons of honey, one teaspoon of
cinnamon powder and three cups of water and boil to make a tea. Drink during
the course of the day. It keeps the skin fresh and soft and slow down the onset
of old age. Suggest to mix honey, cornflour (cornstarch) and lime juice. This
acts as a good moisturizer and helps dry skin problems.
PIMPLES
Mix three tablespoons of honey and one teaspoon of
cinnamon powder. Apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it
off next morning with warm water. Repeat daily for two weeks.
PREVENTION OF SCARRING
When honey is exposed to air, it draws in moisture. This
may help to prevent scarring by keeping skin moist and helping in the growth of
new skin. Additionally, it helps to stop dressings becoming stuck to an open
wound. For these reasons honey can be used as a moisturizer and skin care
product.
SEDATIVE
Two tablespoons of honey in a glass of hot milk is said
to be a good sedative. SORE THROAT A gargle made from apple cider vinegar and
water could prove to be a great relief for a sore throat — be that a bacterial
or virus infection. Use a 50/50 mixture, and spit out the solution after gargling,
which should be repeated every hour. After gargling rinse the mouth with clean
water to prevent the acid from eroding the enamel on your teeth. Honey is good
for sore throats, coughs and colds. Honey and lemon juice in equal parts,
dissolved in hot water, is a soothing drink.
THIRST QUENCHER
Honey is supposed to be a good thirst quencher.Travellers
take honey and water across deserts, and honey has been used to sweeten tea and
coffee for centuries.
TOOTHACHE
Make a paste of one teaspoon of cinnamon powder and five
teaspoons of honey. Apply to the aching tooth three times a day.Visit your
dentist regularly
ULCERS
Honey helps in the healing and sterilizing of wounds and
ulcers and helps the growth of new skin. Manuka honey is especially important,
as it is effective against more resistant bacteria. It is this type of honey
that has been shown to be very good in treating some stomach ulcers and sore
throats.
WEIGHT LOSS
Combine one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and one
tablespoon of honey in a 227 ml (8 oz) glass of unsweetened grapefruit juice.
Drink one glass before each meal as an appetite suppressant. An alternative
suggestion is to drink honey and cinnamon powder boiled in a cup of water,
before breakfast and at night before sleeping.
MOISTURE MASK
You will need: 2 tbsp honey 2 tsp milk Method: Mix the
honey with milk. Smooth over the face and throat. Leave for 10 minutes before
rinsing off with warm water.
FIRMING FACE MASK
You will need: 1 tbsp honey 1 egg white 1 tsp glycerine
Approx. 2 tbsp cornflour (cornstarch) Method: Whisk together all ingredients
and enough cornflour to form a paste. Smooth over the face and throat. Leave on
for 10 minutes while you relax, before rinsing off with lukewarm water.
HAIR SHINE
Need: 1 tsp honey 1 litre (1¾ pints) warm water Method:
Stir the honey into warm water. After shampooing and rinsing, pour the mixture
through your hair. Do not rinse out.
SMOOTHING SKIN LOTION
Need: 1 tsp honey 1 tsp vegetable oil ¼ tsp lemon juice
Method: Mix all the ingredients together. Rub into hands, elbows, heels and any
other areas of dry skin. Leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse off with warm water.
Although
there is healing in honey for a variety of medical disorders, certain
precautions should be taken:
1.
Children under the age of one year should not be given honey due to the
possibility of infant botulism. This type of food poisoning can be deadly,
however, it only seems to affect infants under one year of age.
2.
If you have any known allergies to specific plants, then you should make sure
the honey you are using is not produced from that plant.
3.
People with allergies to bee stings should be careful when using other
bee-related products such as propolis or royal jelly.
However, if these precautions are followed, then honey may, Allaah willing provide healing for you.
However, if these precautions are followed, then honey may, Allaah willing provide healing for you.
HONEY
GLOSSARY
HONEY COMB HONEY
Honey-filled beeswax comb as stored directly by the bees.
CHUNK HONEY Comb honey in a jar with liquid honey poured around it.
BLENDED HONEY
A mixture of two or more honeys differing in floral
source, colour, flavour, density or geographic origin.
LIQUID HONEY
Prepared by cutting off the wax cappings and whirling the
comb in a honey extractor, where centrifugal force moves the honey out of the
cells.
RAW HONEY
Honey as it exists in the beehive or as obtained by
extraction, settling or straining. No heating takes place.
WHIPPED, CHURNED or CREAMED HONEY
Honey processed, by controlled crystallization, to a
smooth, spreadable consistency. This is also called candied honey or honey fondant.
ROYAL JELLY
This is the food fed to a potential queen larva. It is
creamy white and very rich in protein and fatty acids. It is produced by the
mouth glands of worker bees and used to feed developing young.
BEESWAX WAX
Produced by the youngest bees, from 12 to 18 days old,
that cluster together in large numbers to raise their body temperature. After
they have consumed copious amounts of honey, they slowly excrete. Other worker
bees massage the harvested wax scales and take them to use in cell construction.
Beeswax has always commanded a high price. It enjoys use in candle making,
batik designs, cosmetic products and in the making and upkeep of musical
instruments and furniture.
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