Beautiful Raw Honey

Raw honey is a sweet food made by bees using nectar from flowers. The variety we eat most today is produced by the honey bee. Honey bees transform nectar into honey by a process or regurgitation and evaporation. They store it as a primary food source in wax honeycombs inside the beehive. Honey has approximately the same relative sweetness as that of granulated sugar. Honey's natural sugars are dehydrated, which prevents fermentation. Microorganisms do not grow in honey because of its low water activity. However, honey sometimes contains dorman endospores of the bacterium, Clostridium botulinum, which can be dangerous to infants.

Raw Honey is honey that has not been heated, pateurized or processed in any way. There is a big difference between raw and pasteurized honey. Raw honey contains the vitamins, enzymes, antioxidants and other natural nutrients that make it a wonderful healing food.

The honey we purchase in the stores has been heated, or pasteurized. Heating honey slows down the granulation process. Pasteurized or heated honey will last longer in it's liquid state than unpasteurized honey, which makes for a more appealing-looking product for both retailers and consumers - translation: It's done for marketing purposes.

There are lots of references to honey on the internet - do your research and decide for yourself if you want raw or cooked honey. In the meantime, here is a list of time-tested uses of raw honey (again remembering to never give raw honey to children under 18 months):

- A teaspon of honey taken at bedtime, acts as a mild sedative and helps avoid bed wetting. A recent study published in Pediatrics, researchers discovered that honey worked better than a placebo made from date syrup to maintain sleep.

• Honey has been known to boost athletic performance levels. In fact in the days of ancient Olympics, athletes were trained on a diet rich in raw honey & figs.
• Studies reported in WebMD have shown honey to be a more effective cough suppressant than dextromethorphan and diphenhydramine.
• Honey has a very alkalizing effect on the body.
• Honey doesn't ferment in the stomach and can be used to counter acid-indigestion.
• When honey is mixed with ginger & lemon (in water slightly warmer than room temperature), it will quickly relieve nausea and boost energy.
• Digestive Aid: In a 2006 study published by BMC Complementary, researchers found that substituting honey for sugar in processed foods improved the gut microflora of male mice.
• Raw honey has been successfully used to treat anemia.
• Raw honey has a long history of treating all sorts of intestinal ailments.
• In India, it's believed that raw honey will strengthen a weak heart, weak brain and weak stomach.
• Raw honey is an excellent wound healer.

 

• Raw honey does not cause blood sugar spikes like pasteurized honey or regular sugar, thereby keeping blood sugar and insulin levels more stable.
• Raw honey helps lower triglycerides, while pasteurized honey will increase them.
• For a glowing and youthful complexion, mix a Tablespoon of raw honey with 1-2 Tablespoons of sweet almond oil, extra virgin olive oil, or coconut oil and apply to entire face and neck after cleansing. Leave on for 30 minutes; then wash off with cool or tepid water.
• To make a wonderful face mask, mix some green or bentonite clay with water and raw honey - leave on for 20-30 minutes before rinsing. 
• An old remedy for the treatment of gout, arthritis and various nervous disorders is the combining of raw honey with unfermented grape juice.
• Raw honey can be used to help dissolve fat deposits. Mix 1-2 teaspoons of raw honey with warm distilled water, along with a squeeze of fresh lemon (fresh only) and a dash of cinnamon.
• Skin ailments - everything from burns to scrapes to surgical incisions and radiation-associated ulcers have been shown to respond to "honey dressings." Thanks to hydrogen peroxide that naturally exists in honey.
• Mosquito bite relief: Honey has anti-inflammatory properties.
• Immune booster: honey is chock full of polyphenols, a type of antioxidant that helps to protect cells from free radical damage. It can also contribute to heart health as well as protect against cancer.
• Acne Treatment: According to preliminary research, honey can effectively treat acne vulgaris on the face, back and chest.

 

We may want to re-think how much RAW honey we are storing ... and get a little more.

Raw honey ranges greatly in cost - my own local prices range anywhere from $4.50 to $9.00 per pound. I do have a source for raw local honey here in Southern Utah - if you are interested, let me know - the price is $2.66 per pound.  - Robin