Therapeutic properties of Honey
Anti-infective and antibiotic properties
Honey has been known since antiquity for its anti-infective properties: honey prevents bacterial, viral or fungal proliferation thanks to an enzyme, glucose oxidase, producing hydrogen peroxide (as in hydrogen peroxide) which is a natural antiseptic. In addition, it has a low protein concentration which prevents bacteria from growing. Finally, its acidity hinders the multiplication of bacteria, completing its antibacterial action. It can be used for this purpose both on the skin and ingested for the respiratory or digestive sphere.
Often used as an antiseptic to treat wounds, honey also has healing properties which once again justify its use on the skin. It then prevents the development of bacteria and regenerates the skin tissue in order to have good healing. This action is due to its high osmolarity, which causes honey to attract water, drain lymph and plasma outward, which removes debris and cleanses the wound. Honey is therefore a very recognized antiseptic and antibacterial, which helps wound healing.
Thanks to the presence of many flavonoids, honey has an important antioxidant power, because they neutralize free radicals, thus having a beneficial effect in the prevention of certain cancers or certain cardiovascular diseases. We can also note here that “dark” honey, richer in flavonoids and fructose, would be more effective for these therapeutic properties.
Energetic and toning properties
Honey is a general tonic for the body which notably strengthens the immune system. It therefore helps to better resist microbial infections and is an ally of choice when you feel tired and woozy. Plus, because it's full of sugar, honey is a great energy source that can give you a boost when you need it. Be careful though if you are diabetic or watching your line, because honey has a higher sweetening power than sugar and is very caloric. Similarly, it has a significant cariogenic power, and all these carbohydrates do not necessarily go well with the teeth!
Sedative and calming properties
Honey allows the release of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that will promote sleep. So, rather than adding a piece of sugar to your evening herbal tea, dilute a spoonful of honey in order to have a good, calm and peaceful night!
Against coughs or sore throats, honey will bring an immediate and lasting soothing effect. Thanks to its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, it's effective in calming cold symptoms and soothing your respiratory system. It will calm respiratory irritations and will reduce the adhesion of bacteria to the respiratory wall, thus preventing their proliferation.
Honey acts directly on the digestive sphere, and is effective in treating stomach and intestinal infections, reducing inflammation or gastric ulcers, as well as temporary constipation. Thanks to its “diastase” enzymes, it helps digestion and stimulates the stomach. Finally, it has a slight laxative power (variable depending on the honey) and limits intestinal fermentation.
Cardiovascular protective properties:
Thanks to the B vitamins, which are antioxidants, honey will limit atherosclerosis, having a beneficial effect on the heart and blood vessels.
Support of essential oils in ingestion
This is something you don't necessarily think of at first glance, but which can be very useful: and yes, honey is a very good solution for diluting essential oils and serving as a support for their ingestion. In addition, if the mixtures are made in large quantities for long-term use, we can speak in this case of aromals, which are therefore associations between honey and essential oil (s) (in quantity less than 1 %).
If honey is so famous, it's above all for its use in cooking! Whether it's to accompany food, in a sauce or on a spread, this succulent sweet product is not to be outdone, and, we must admit, it would be wrong to deprive ourselves of it!
Used since Antiquity in beauty care, honey has a pH close to that of the skin (4 to 6), and its rich composition makes it a very good moisturizing, emollient, softening and toning agent! It nourishes the cells, promotes their renewal and helps maintain the youthfulness of the skin.
Honey being a good support for Clostridium botulinum, the bacteria responsible for botulism (disease affecting the nervous system), it's absolutely not recommended for children under 1 year old. Indeed, this bacterium found in dust and soil is transported by bees and can be found in honey. However, before the age of 1, the baby has an immune system that isn't yet ready to defend itself against this micro-organism, and if it consumes infected honey, spores can develop in its intestine and trigger infant botulism. .
Specificities of each type of Honey
According to the plants foraged, and therefore according to the environmental environment where the bees are located, there are different types of honey whose composition is different and therefore whose properties will be different; Here are some examples:
it's one of the most famous honeys, it's clear, almost transparent and with a golden reflection. It's considered a recommended bowel regulator for young children. With its pleasant flavor and sweet smell, it is particularly used in cooking, to sweeten thanks to its high fructose content.
Fairly used but often in "forest honey", which therefore comes from several trees, it is a very good healing agent, rich in trace elements and even having a beneficial effect on blood circulation.
This semi-solid, pale yellow honey crystallizes quickly (about a month after harvest). It is calming and rebalancing nervous, and is recommended in case of heartburn.
And yes, the lavender that provides so many essential oils also makes honey! Antiseptic and anti-inflammatory, it is used for the treatment of respiratory infections, to treat insect bites and to heal infected wounds or burns. It is also very relaxing, promotes sleep and relieves irritability.
This sweet-tasting, bright yellow honey is especially popular with children who like to spread it. It is considered to have diuretic virtues and to relieve the liver.
It too is generally a constituent of the famous "Forest honey", but also of "Mountain honey". , but the pure fir honey is special, indeed the fir tree does not flower, but the bees collect the honeydew from the aphids which feed directly on the sap of the tree, so it is the result of two processes of animal transformation. It is very rich in trace elements and has antiseptic, anti-anaemic and diuretic properties, and is recommended in the treatment of asthma or colds.
From its name, you'd think it came from Brittany and you're right! It can be used to fight against demineralization and bone diseases. It is therefore recommended for growing children and convalescents, but beware of its very pronounced taste!
It is a general antiseptic recommended in infectious pathologies, whether respiratory or digestive. It also has a toning effect which is very appreciable in case of cold or flu.
This light-colored honey, with a very mild taste and delicate aroma, is a soothing agent that promotes sleep. It is pleasantly used to sweeten your infusion in the evening.
But that's not all, Honeys of Hawthorn, Buckthorn, Heather, Oak, Eucalyptus, Raspberry, Orange, Rosemary, Sunflower, or even Clover, one could almost say that there are as many honeys as there are flowers, which would make… a lot of different honeys! Thus, the list above is not exhaustive, and there are some particularly powerful honeys, such as Manuka honey:
The star of honeys? According to some research, the latter would be the Rolls-Royce of honeys!
Amber-yellow to orange in color, this honey comes from the manuka tree (a cousin of the tea tree, a major plant in the Maori pharmacopoeia) found exclusively in New Zealand and Australia. Manuka Honey is said to be a far superior honey to others due to its high content of methylglyoxal, the source of the UMF (Unique Manuka Factor) index: the higher it is, the more active the honey! And since the French like to do what they want, this index is equivalent to the IAA for us. This index therefore represents the power of honey: below 10+, it will be used only for its nutritional qualities, between 10+ and 16+ it will be ideal to support your body, give it a boost and take care of your health. on a daily basis, and you need an IAA of 18+ minimum in order to take full advantage of all its therapeutic benefits.
It's a powerful antibacterial, very healing, which strengthens immunity and prevents respiratory infections. It's very effective against coughs and respiratory problems, and has an action on acne/eczema. Finally, it facilitates a deep and restorative sleep.
Studies have shown that Manuka honey has a bactericidal action superior to certain antibiotics, and that it is even effective against the terrible Staphylococcus aureus! Effective against the various bacteria involved in sinusitis, colds, and other respiratory infections, studies have also proven that it acts faster and stronger than other honeys. In addition, it has an extraordinary action on wounds, scars, burns, fungal infections, stomach ulcers (especially those due to Helicobacter pylori), as well as on mouth ulcers, sinusitis and sore throats. And as if that were not enough, it will stimulate the immune system!
The methylglyoxal contained in Manuka honey prevents bacteria from attaching to damaged tissues, and is a moisturizing antimicrobial that's very favorable to healing. In this context, you can use it in application on a clean wound before applying a dressing. In addition, it's preferable to use honey with a UMF (or IAA) of 18+ or 20+ in order to take advantage of its maximum potency.
Thus, although more expensive than other honeys, Manuka honey is an incredible honey with exceptional properties! You can use it in different forms to take advantage of its fantastic virtues: applied to the skin, ingested as is, throat lozenge or honey-based spray.
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