Valuable Information on Honey and Its Medical Uses honey Honey is a mixture of sugars and other compounds. Because of its unique composition and chemical properties, honey is suitable for long-term storage, and is easily assimilated even after long preservation. Honey can be preserved for decades and even centuries. The key to preservation is limiting access to humidity. In general honey should not be preserved in metal containers because the acids in the honey may promote oxidation of the vessel. However, glass and plastic are now the favored materials. Excessive heat can have detrimental effects on the nutritional value of honey. Regardless of preservation, honey may crystallize over time. Crystallization does not affect the flavor, quality or nutritional content of the honey, though it does affect color and texture. High-quality honey can be distinguished by fragrance, taste, and consistency. When poured, should form small, temporary layers that disappear fairly quickly, indicating high viscosity. If not, it indicates excessive water content and not suitable for long preservation. Honey has been used by humans to treat a variety of ailments, from gastric disturbances to ulcers, wounds and burns, through ingestion or topical application, but only recently have the antiseptic and antibacterial properties of honey been chemically explained. Honey can contain up to 18 of the 20 amino acids. However, amino acid content is almost negligible in honey. The main amino acid is pro line. According to Ayurveda, honey is the nectar of life. Treatment with honey is called apitherapy, which includes replenishing energy, enhancing physical stamina and improving immune systems. Honey also is considered to have a calming effect on the mind and promotes sleep. Honey also helps indigestion and has sometimes been used to treat cardiovascular disease and respiratory complaints. A thin coat of honey can be applied on the skin to disinfect and heal minor skin wounds and chapped lips. Honey has wide application in home remedies. Ayurveda says that raw honey is medicine, but cooked honey is a slow poison. So as a general rule, honey should never be cooked, and nothing should be cooked with honey. Instead, add raw honey to yogurt, warm tea, or spread it on bread or toast. 15 Ways to use Honey as Health Medicine Sinus and Stomach Problems: - If you have sinus or stomach problem, simply mix a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with a tablespoon of honey, and mix it with one cup of ice-cold apple juice and consume it or take a mixture of 1 teaspoon each of fresh ginger juice and honey two or three times a day. Minor Cuts and Abrasions: - After a minor wound has been properly cleaned, a little honey can help prevent infection. Simply spread a thin layer of honey over a light abrasion or minor cut keep wounds free from bacteria. Relaxing Honey Bath: - Put 2 ounces of honey in a glass with 5 drops of lavender oil. Add 1 or 2 tablespoons of honey-lavender mixture to your bathwater to help you relax and combat insomnia. Sleeping Problem: - Add 1 to 2 table spoon of honey into 200 ml of water and drink it before going to bed at night. For obesity: - Apple cider vinegar cocktail will help you lose weight. To make this cocktail, mix together: 1 to 2 tsp. apple cider vinegar, 1 to 2 tsp. honey and 8 ounces of cold water. Start out by using only 1 teaspoon then increase to 2 teaspoons each. It is recommended you drink this cocktail 3 times a day for optimum health. Sore throat: - Add lemon juice and some natural sweetener honey to a glass of hot water to help sooth a sore throat. You can also make a gargle from honey. Combine two tablespoons of honey with 4 tablespoons of cider vinegar and add a pinch of salt. Gargle this mixture throughout the day to soothe your sore throat. To stop hiccups: - Mix 1 teaspoon honey and 1 teaspoon castor oil in a container. Dip your index finger into the mixture and lick it. Repeat every 10 minutes until your hiccups stop. For chronic fever: - Make a tea of 1 teaspoon of holy basil (tulsi) and 1 cup of hot water. Add 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper powder and 1 teaspoon of honey. Take two or three times a day. To heal oral ulcers: - Apply 1 teaspoon honey and a pinch of turmeric to canker sores, mouth ulcers, or sores on the tongue. For internal ulcers, mix a cup of warm milk with a teaspoon of honey and consume twice daily. Common cold or flu: - Take 8 ounces of hot water; add 2 ounces of lemon juice and one tablespoon of honey. If you have eucalyptus oil or ginger root, add it for added benefits. This drink will help your congestion. For Shiny Hair: - Mix one teaspoon of honey with four cups of hot water. Lather throughout your hair and then rinse! Your hair should be full of shine and feel much more moisturized. For skin: - A mixture of honey and ground almonds will serve as an excellent scrub for your face. For a great moisturizing rinse, mix 2 tablespoons of honey with 2 teaspoons of whole milk. Apply this mix to your face and neck and allow it to settle for 15 minutes. Rinse after 15 minutes. For asthma: - Eat a mixture made of 1/2 teaspoon bay leaf powder, 1/4 teaspoon pippali, and 1 teaspoon of honey two or three times daily. To relieve rheumatoid arthritis symptoms: - Take 1 teaspoon of honey with 200 mg powdered googol daily. For anxiety: - Drink 1 cup of orange juice with 1 teaspoon of honey and a pinch of nutmeg powder twice daily. All of these uses for honey are only some of the many benefits honey has on your health. Try to consume a tablespoon of honey daily to benefit your body. The vitamins and minerals contained in honey are a boost to your entire body systems. If you are diabetic, honey may be a great option for sweetening your food but Consult your doctor first. Babies under the age of one year should never consume honey. Honey contains spores that could cause severe illness in babies who are not old enough to digest it properly.
Posted on: Fri, 25 Oct 2013 06:48:33 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015