We are all familiar with honey as a valuable substitute for refined sugar or chemical additives which have been shown to be neurotoxins. We often are unaware of using the incredible nutritional value of honey for a variety of health benefits beyond honey’s being a natural sweetener.
Honey is a natural glucose and fructose sugar that is readily recognized and used for energy by our bodies. Honey contains mineral such as magnesium, potassium, calcium, sodium chlorine, sulphur, iron and phosphate. Honey also contains small amounts of copper, iodine and zinc. Honey contains vitamins B1, B2, B6, B5 and B3.
Honey is often used to help us build immunity to pollens that are responsible for allergic reaction. Honey, because of its ability to attract water, is also used as a skin moisturizer and well as a hair conditioner when mixed with olive oil. Since Honey has powerful antimicrobial qualities, it can soothe raw tissue such as we experience with a “sore throat”. Honey is a natural anti-inflammatory agent containing phytochemicals that helps heal wounds by killing bacteria, virus, and fungus that cannot live in honey thus preventing infection. Honey is being used in Europe and the Middle East to treat ulcers and burns. The treatment of burns with honey reduces pain and result in healing with minimal scaring of skin. Honey reduces the swelling of wounds and is used by our body as building material for new tissue as honey actually traps moisture and oxygen around the wound that is vital for healing and tissue generation.
Honey has sustaining blood sugar concentrations that many athletes use for endurance training as honey maintains and stores muscle glycogen as a readily available, metabolized fuel. Honey promotes muscle tissue repair. Honey acts as a superior carbohydrate that helps athletes give a peak performance.
Honey contains small amounts of resins found in propolis. Propolis is used by bees to build and maintain their hives. Propolis makes the hive safe from bacteria and other micro-organisms. Propolis is anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal. Propolis contains phytonutrients which have been shown to have cancer preventing and anti-tumor properties. Propolis is contained in small amounts in honey and is available in concentrated supplement form.
Honey contains bee pollen. Bee pollen has been shown to correct the chemical imbalance that often leads to weight gain. Therefore, bee pollen has proven to be a valuable aid for weight loss. Bee pollen improves our metabolism, i.e. the rate at which our bodies burn fat. Bee pollen dissolves and flushes fat cells from our bodies because of the high amounts of lecithin it contains. Bee pollen helps us reduce our cravings for food. Bee pollen has been shown to lower cholesterol levels. Bee pollen is also beneficial for our sexual health. Studies have shown that bee pollen helps restore the health of female reproductive system and relief from the discomfort of PMS. Bee pollen has been shown to help increase men’s sperm count, help maintain erection, and prevent prostate problems. Bee pollen has been shown to improve our immune systems and remove toxins from our bodies. In addition, many athletes use bee pollen for endurance, strength and stamina. Many of us use bee pollen to help improve mental clarity. Bee pollen is available in concentrated supplement form.
Royal jelly is the only food source for the queen bee. The queen bee lives up to forty times longer than the other bees. Royal jelly contains large amounts of protein and all eight of the essential amino acids that our bodies cannot manufacture. Royal jelly is an antioxidant that combats free radicals. Royal jelly contains large amounts of natural hormones e.g. pheromones, large amounts of amino acids and essential amino acids, B vitamins, vitamins A, C, D and E. Royal jelly contains essential fatty acids and acetylcholine, a natural neurotransmitter. Royal jelly contains sterols, phosphorus compounds nucleic acids and traces of calcium copper potassium, silicon and sulfur. Royal jelly helps lower cholesterol, promotes mental alertness and clarity, reduces dizziness and buzzing in the ears and improves energy levels thus eliminating fatigue. Royal Jelly has been shown to reduce anxiety and depression because of its high amounts of acetylcholine that is a natural neurotransmitter. Many of us report that it helps slow down the ageing process, improves vitality and energy levels. Royal jelly improves the conditions of our skin and improves the strength and condition of our nails and hair. Royal jelly contains lipids and carbohydrates and aspartic acid that facilitates growth and repair of cells and tissue. Royal jelly also has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. Royal jelly is available in concentrated supplemental form.
The next time we use honey, we can experience and extra satisfaction beyond taste, knowing the miraculous and amazing health benefits we are receiving. We can receive even more health and healing benefit from taking advantage of the availability of bee pollen and propolis and royal jelly in supplemental form. We need to find ways to protect our bee population and feel deep gratitude for the many gifts of health and nutrition they have provided us.
