Sweet and in the Raw

It is the only way to go when we are talking about Honey. Yes, that all natural, sweet, sticky yumminess is best served unprocessed, unfiltered and in the Raw with all the beeswax, pollen, propolis and enzymes. Raw is the only way to go if you want the full benefits from nature's sweet nectar and the benefits are numerous and plentiful. The properties of honey are many including soothing raw tissues, retaining calcium in the body, balancing acid in the body, sedative, anti fungal, aphrodisiac, nourishing, antibacterial and antibiotic.

Some uses for honey are for hangovers (take a tablespoon of it), arthritis (mix two teaspoons with two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar and drink before each meal), burns (put a thin layer on the burn and the healing enzymes will do the rest), bed-wetting for children (give a teaspoon at bedtime and have dry sheets in the morning), and for constipation (drink warm water in the morning mixed with honey).

Honey should always be raw when used for medicinal purposes and local is best, as it contains the pollen of the plants in your area, which will better meet your particular health needs. Also, do not give honey to babies under one year, as it can cause serious illness for them.

One of the most common uses for honey is for coughs. The preparations are numerous, but they all have one thing in common, HONEY! You can put it in tea, put it in the middle of an onion and roast it or make your own cough drops with it. When my son was little, he had pneumonia a few times and seemed to have colds that would always get into his chest. I started giving him raw honey daily with the honeycomb still in it. He has never suffered from the ailment again. He still loves to eat the raw honey right out of the jar with a spoon. It is extremely beneficial for the respiratory system.

Honey will also stop bleeding on a wound and will aid in healing and prevent scarring. You can also use honey to treat hemorrhoids. Mix a tablespoon of honey with a half teaspoon of mustard powder and put on a cotton ball and apply to the area. Honey is also useful for indigestion, just mix a tablespoon of honey with a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and put in a cup of warm water. Drink before you eat and you will be much happier after the meal.

As a aphrodisiac, honey has been used for centuries. Bee pollen is popular among some to increase their need for "the birds and the bees" (pun definitely intended!). You can also do like the Egyptians and mix your honey with sesame seeds (also known as Halvah), and then share this yummy confection with your lover.

Other uses for honey are for shingles, ringworm, athlete's foot, conjunctivitis, sores in the mouth or vagina, varicose veins and bruises. Apply the honey to the affected areas and cover if necessary. Another fabulous use of honey is for wrinkles. Spread the raw honey on your face and neck and leave it on for 20-30 minutes and then rinse with warm water. It will produce amazing results on your skin.

One weight control remedy is to mix two tablespoons of honey with one tablespoon of vinegar in a glass of grapefruit juice (no added sugar), and drink it before each meal. It melts away the fat and regulates the thyroid.

If you can't find local, raw honey, Raw Bakery is a great source. They sell the Wee Bee Brand of Super Raw Honey.

So, there you have it, to really enjoy honey, you must do it in the Raw and utilize all the benefits that nature intended.

Sources: Folk Remedies that Work by Joan Wilen and Lydia Wilen and The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Natural Remedies by C. Norman Shealy, M.D. Ph. D.

Naturally yours,

Clearskies