HONEY: THE HOLISTIC ALTERNATIVE IN HEALING
Known as Shahad, Miele, Honig, and Miel around the world, honey is part of numerous cultures, its cultural use dating back to 2,500 years. Perhaps it is the ease with which honey can be consumed that has made it so popular. You can consume it directly or use it as a spread. It can also be taken as a replacement for sugar. In holistic traditions such as Ayurveda, pure honey is used in preparing concoctions because of its healing properties. With warm water, cinnamon, lime juice, and other herbs, honey makes a medicine. Today, modern medicine aims to build its understanding about honey, particularly its property of healing wounds.
HERE ARE SOME HEALTH BENEFITS FROM HONEY:
AS A SWEETENER
Honey contains natural fructose and glucose making it sweet and an easy substitute for sugar and other sweeteners. When used in foods and drinks, honey contributes to good health and maintains blood-glucose levels. In comparison with artificial sweeteners, which contain the harmful aspartame and acesulfame, honey does not raise blood sugar levels.
2. FOR WEIGHT LOSS
Honey is particularly helpful for individuals trying to maintain their body weight to an optimal level. When taken with warm water, honey breaks down the excessive fat deposits in the body, ensuring weight loss. Compared to weight loss products, which eventually cause harm to the body, honey is a naturally safe alternative.
3. FOR ENERGY AND PERFORMANCE
Compared to table sugar which has only 15 calories, an equal amount of honey has 64 calories. This means, when consumed honey gives more energy for the body to maintain its metabolic functions. Therefore, honey has been a trusted food for energy, especially for athletes. Because of its ergogenic properties, honey contributes to performance boost, optimal blood sugar, muscle recuperation, and regulating insulin levels in the body.
4. AS A RICH SOURCE OF VITAMINS & MINERALS
Depending on the source from which honey is extracted, honey contains essential vitamins and minerals including Vitamin A, C, iron, and calcium. Consumption of honey helps nourish the body with essential substances required for its proper functioning and development.
5. AS A NATURAL ANTISEPTIC
Honey’s holistic properties include its antiseptic, antifungal, and antibacterial properties. In traditional medicines, honey is therefore an important ingredient for treating common bacterial and fungal infections.
6. AS A NATURAL ANTIOXIDANT
Free radicals present in the body cause damage to the body’s cells and tissues. The human body requires antioxidants to remove the free radicals which cause cancers and heart diseases. The natural polyphenols found in honey are powerful antioxidants, which remove the free radicals thereby maintaining health. Additionally, the antioxidants in honey can also lower the blood pressure, reducing the risks from cardiovascular diseases. The antioxidants also fight against illnesses.
7. AS A SKIN CARE SOLUTION
Honey has been used for aesthetic purposes especially to return vigour and beauty to skin. When applied together with milk, honey creates a smooth, flawless skin. Real honey is also used for softening hair texture and for glowing skin.
8. FOR WOUND HEALING
Research indicates that honey promotes wound healing for burns, bacterial infections, and pressure ulcers. Not only does honey possess antimicrobial properties, it also deodourises wounds, helps in stopping the infection from spreading to other tissues, initiates wound healing, acts as anti-inflammatory agent, and prevents permanent scarring. It is also used in autolytic debridement. The benefits of using honey are impressive and research continues to come up that establishes these benefits. If you are looking for alternative healing, a method that does not harm your body, honey could be your starting point to a long, rich, and healthy life.