The honey bee which is a true wonder of nature, provides food for insects,animals and man.
For those that have the knowledge it also provides medication.
Honey is indeed one of the most marvellous foods we enjoy today.
You might assume that everything that could possibly be learned about it had long since been discovered, but honey has properties that still confound present day science.
What is Honey?
The illustrated encyclopedia of bee-keeping describes honey as: "an extremely variable mixture of many substances."
Basically honey consists of sugars and traces of the following:
- iron
- silica
- chlorine
- calcium
- sodium
- sulphur
- magnesium
- copper
- manganese
- proteins
- potassium
- phosphorus
- aluminium
Dieting: Use honey as a sweetener. It doesn't result in the increase of body fat as does refined sugar. It is also very palatable and easy to digest as well as being nutritious.
Infant Calmer:
For infants over 1 year old, use honey in recipes to provide a beneficial sweetener.
It will also give the infant supplementary minerals.
As well as being an antiseptic it is also a mild laxative.
It also has a definite beneficial influence upon calcium retention, which is good for growing bones.
Sporting Activities:
Many nutritional experts consider that honey is an excellent nourishment, in fact it is considered a "power supply" of instant energy.
Energy:
Honey is a great giver of energy to athletes,manual workers and anyone who expends a large amount of energy.
It will help you recuperate rapidly from exertion.
Sleep:
Honey has always been regarded in folk medicine as a remedy to combat sleeplessness.
It is recommended that you take 1 teaspoon of honey with your evening meal.
You will soon discover that you will be looking forward to bedtime at the end of the day.
Medication:
Honey has helped man through all the stages of his life,treating many conditions during the passage of time.
We will now look at some of the remedies that will heal and nourish all members of your family.
Migraine:
No milk,starchy foods or citrus are allowed during treatment.
Daily Treatment;
Propolis capsules,2
Honey, 3 times a day
Dolomite, 4 a day
Vitamin E, 100 i.u., 2 a day
Selenium-ACE, 2 a day
Efamol, 10 a day
Constipation,Diverticulitis,Colitis and Indigestion:
Take 2 tablespoonfuls of Bran for breakfast with "live" yoghurt and 1 teaspoon of liquid honey.
Nerves:
Before breakfast take 1 dessertspoon of Ginseng Elixir.
Drink Ginseng tea.
Take 1 teaspoonful of honey in hot water or by itself several times a day.
Anaemia:
Take Floradix and 2 spoonfuls of honey twice a day.
Pregnancy:
Take honey during and after pregnancy.
A few drops can be added to the water you give your baby.
Rough Skin:
Honey can be used to smooth rough hands and is said to delay the ageing process.
If a little is smoothed into the skin every night before bed.
Honey Water:
Honey water is particularly useful, especially for smoothing onto the hands and face.
Here's how to make your own;
100g(4oz) honey
15g(1/2oz) grated lemon peel
15g(1/2oz) grated orange peel
15g(1/2oz)benzoin
15g(1/2oz)storax
7g(1/4oz)cloves
15g(1/2oz)nutmeg
50ml(2fl oz)rose water
50ml(2fl oz)elder flower water
275ml(10fl oz)ethyl alcohol
Pour the honey into a 1 litre glass jar and add the lemon and orange peel,benzoin,storax,cloves and nutmeg.
Stir together to blend.
Add the remaining ingredients and beat together.
Place a lid on the jar and shake thoroughly.
Allow the mixture to steep for 3 days,shaking frequently, and then filter and bottle.
Abscesses and Boils:
honey has been used for thousands of years for treating abscesses and boils.
A simple paste made from honey and flour applied to the abscess or boil will bring relief and bring the boil to a head.
Mix 1 tablespoon of honey with 1 egg yolk.
Blend the honey and egg to make a thick paste.
Apply the paste to a clean lint and place over the effected area.
Hold in place with a plaster or bandage.
Change the dressing twice a day.
Bedsores:
A paste of honey and rhubarb applied externally to the bedsores will have great effect.
Mix 1 tablespoon of honey with 1 tablespoon of rhubarb juice to make a paste.
Apply the paste to a clean lint and place over the sores.
This treatment is also effective for wounds and ulcers.
Bedwetting:
This recipe is a real time winner and will help both the parent and the child.
Do not give the child any liquids for 3 hours before going to bed.
At bedtime give the child 1 tablespoon of honey.
Make sure the child cleans his/her teeth before going to sleep.
Chesty Colds:
Sometimes nothing can alleviate that stuffed up,heavy feeling when suffering from a cold.
Try using this old folk remedy using lemon,glycerine and honey.
Slice 1 lemon and place in a saucepan with 3 cups of water.
Bring to the boil and add 2 tablespoons of glycerine and 2 tablespoons of honey.
Stir well then remove the lemon slices.
Sip the lemon-honey drink throughout the day to bring relief.
Coughs:
A sip of honey is the ideal way to soothe the throat.
1 cup of boiling water with 2 teaspoons of honey and 2 slices of lemon added.
Sip slowly to bring relief.
Cramps:
Honey and cider vinegar in water taken daily is a sure way to ease those aches and pains.
Try the following recipe as a daily drink first thing each morning.
Blend into 1/2 a glass of water,1 teaspoon of honey,1 tablespoon of calcium lactate and 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar.
Diarrhoea:
This is a sure cure for diarrhoea;
Make up this recipe just before going on holiday and keep in a bottle.
Children will love it for it's taste.
Take for as long as required.
1 tablespoon of honey mixed with 200ml(8fl oz) of barley water.
Drink half a glass of the mixture when necessary.
Digestive Problems:
A major cause of dyspepsia(upset Stomach) has been proven to be the bacterial strain,Helicobacter pylori.
If you suffer from acid indigestion,take honey to relieve the pain.
If the problem is chronic, take honey at bedtime on an empty stomach.
Mix 1 to 3 teaspoons of honey in half a cup of hot water.
Drink the honey-water whilst still hot.
Keep checking back as I will be adding more Honey remedies in the coming weeks.
