Honey-The Tasty Way to Good Health
March 27, 2009
Honey and its goodness have been recognized by man since ages. A three thousand year old painting found on a rock cut cave in Spain shows men taking honeycomb from a hole in a cliff. Ancient Egyptians used honey to cook and to make medicines. Honey can be stored for years and it does not get bad with time; rather its quality gets richer with time.
Uses
Digestion
Honey has various uses. It is used in making cosmetics, alcohol, chewing gum, drugs and also in making anti freeze for car radiators. But most commonly it is consumed by people all over the world for its good taste and nutritive value. It is made up of simple sugars, converted by a secretion from the bees’ salivary tract. It is therefore easily and quickly absorbed and is a source of quick energy.
It promotes the correct functioning of the digestive organs and can be taken as a laxative. Mix half molasses to half honey to provide a laxative with a balance of vitamins and minerals. Babies whose diet includes honey rarely suffer from colic.
Healing Properties
Honey is very effective in cases of minor burns. Apply honey to the affected area for quick relief. Honey prevents formation of blisters and ensures quick healing of the skin. It absorbs moisture and acts as an excellent anti bacterial medicine for the skin. Manuka honey, collected from tea tree, is known for its antibacterial and antiseptic properties.
Cosmetic Properties
Honey is used in most face packs to give a natural glow to the skin. It soaks excessive oil and moisture form the face but does not make the face dry. Honey also acts as an astringent. Regular use of honey makes the skin soft, supple and free from scaliness. Honey in soaps, body lotions and facial creams is very good for the skin as it makes an excellent emollient as well as a protective, germ-proof shield and thus prevents the drying of the skin.
Nutritional Value
Honey contains all the important vitamins and traits elements that are necessary for good health. It contains vitamins B, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5), pyridoxine, biotin, ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and nicotinic acid. Trace elements include iron, copper, manganese, silicon, chlorine, calcium, potassium, sodium, phosphorus, aluminium and magnesium. Unlike fruits and vegetables, it never loses its vitamins during harvesting, storage and preparation.
Honey is an ideal food for all. Including honey in our daily diets ensure good health and a fit body. Apart from the above mentioned uses, honey is also very useful in curing cold and cough and also several chronic diseases like asthma, arthritis etc. Regular usage of honey cures most of the skin problems. Well, one can say for sure that honey is justly called the God’s food.
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