The miracle of honey

Whether you keep honey in your pantry or first aid box, one thing is for certain; every family member can improve their health from the swarm of benefits that honey provides.

Honey is so much more than just a natural sweetener or healthy alternative to sugar. Ancient civilisations used honey for its medicinal properties for centuries.

A number of different health benefits are due to honey being rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.

Some benefits include:

• Improved wound healing: honey is effective at healing burns and wounds that have become infected after surgery. This healing ability is due to honeys antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, it kills bacteria and promotes the healthy growth of new tissue. It also helps to dry the skin treating cuts and skin ailments effectively.
• Reduced inflammation: honey can help reduce inflammation in the body. This benefits everyone but especially those with arthritis, asthma or inflammation of the gut.
• Boosted immunity: honey is antibacterial and can help boost the immune system which aids in fighting off infections.
• Cough syrup: for children over the age of one, honey can act as a natural and safe cough suppressant, also shortening the duration of the cold. If your child (aged 1-5) is starting with a runny nose or cough give them 2 teaspoons (10ml) of honey at bedtime.
• Reduced risk of heart disease: honey promotes good heart health by lowering bad cholesterol levels and reducing inflammation.
• Improved blood sugar control: honey can help to improve blood sugar control. Although honey is a natural sugar, unlike white sugar, honey does not increase blood sugar levels.

Looking to include honey into your daily routine, here is some food for thought:

• Use honey as your natural sweetener in teas, coffees and smoothies.
• Use honey as a glaze for fruit or roasted vegetables.
• Adding honey to natural yogurt or oatmeal for a nutritional powerhouse.
• Use honey as a marinade for meat, ribs and fish.
• Add honey to your baking for a moist and flavoursome treat.

To make sure that you are getting the best out of your honey first you have to be certain that you are buying real honey - packed full of honey's ornate vitamins and minerals.

To do this you need to understand the labels on honey containers.

Avoid irradiated – when food is irradiated it is exposed to electromagnetic radiation to kill microorganisms like bacteria. This is similar to milk being pasteurised. When a food is exposed to high levels of heat, light or oxygen there is nutrient loss, therefore, irradiated honey does not carry the same nutritional value as raw honey.

Rather buy - Raw or unheated honey – this means that the honey has not been through a high-pressure filter and has not been heated above 38 °C, preserving all microorganic nutrition. Raw honey is local (or from Zambia) as all imported honey has to be irradiated by law.

If you are unsure of what to buy, a quick Google search of honey farms in your local area will turn up some surprising finds. It’s best to buy from sources in your area especially if you are an asthma sufferer, as this can help reduce the symptoms. Bee farming has greatly increased in popularity in recent years in South Africa and so you are sure to find a local honey pot.

Besides the joy of supporting local, buying minimally processed honey straight from the farm ensures your family is getting natures best. Honey is nutritious, delicious and a versatile everyday ingredient, what more could you ask for from one humble, ancient ingredient.