In today’s health-conscious culture, it seems like everyone is searching for that “perfect food.” You know, the one that tastes great, is good for your body and mind, and is, of course, all natural. Well, it just so happens that such a food does actually exist, and it has been around for over ten thousand years! The all-natural delicacy that I am referring to is local honey.
This vitamin, mineral, and enzyme-packed sweet delicacy brings with it countless benefits, and this list of positives continues to grow as more and more research is performed concerning the food’s effects on people. Please remember, however, that all of these benefits primarily exist in only raw, local honey. Raw honey hasn’t been exposed to pasteurization, a process that destroys enzymes and eliminates vitamins, minerals and organic acids from the food, leaving it with about as many health benefits as sugar.
So what are the actual benefits of this super food? First off, it has been known to reduce allergy symptoms. It does this because it contains pollen spores from local plants that introduce a minuscule amount of allergens into the body. This allergen introduction can activate the body’s immune system and beef up its natural defenses against allergens.
Raw, local honey also is known to have anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral properties. This allows it to help the body battle colds and infections while boosting immunity. The food is even a well-documented cough suppressant and is known to soothe sore throats. Remarkably, it is believed that this food may also improve blood sugar while controlling insulin sensitivity. It can also help heal skin irritations when used as a salve, and it even has cancer-fighting properties.
Along with these health benefits, there is also a bevy of positive results for the local economy, and even for Mother Nature as a whole. This is because your purchase supports local farmers and puts money back into the community. It also helps to save one of the highest risk ecosystems in the world, that is, honeybee hives.
With such a laundry list of benefits that come from this all-natural wonder, it is only right to point out some different ways that this food can be prepared to maximize the health rewards of using it. One popular recipe calls for simply mixing it with lemons. Combining lemons and raw honey can provide numerous health remedies. For example, mixing four to five drops of honey in a spoonful of lemon juice has been known to help with digestion. Also, mixing equal parts of the two and allowing them to sit on your skin for 10 minutes can clear up acne and blemishes. This great combination can even treat calluses. Again, using equal parts of both, simply apply the mixture onto a callus and allow it to sit for 20 minutes, then scrub with a pumice stone for great results.
Another beneficial combination pairs cinnamon with raw, local honey. This pairing has been known to do everything from promoting a healthy heart to preventing cancer. In terms of heart health, the fiber and calcium in cinnamon react with the antioxidants in honey to lower cholesterol. Simply add a dash of cinnamon to a cup of boiling water, and then add a teaspoon of honey to create a delightful and tasty tea. To ignite cancer-prevention in your body, add a few drops of raw, local honey to a pinch of cinnamon to make a paste-like substance. Consuming this substance every morning may help to prevent the multiplication and spread of cancer cells through the body.