Raw Honey, Natures Unique Healing Food!

Wallace Bishop I.N.H.C, C.N.C.

honeyWould you have every thought something so simple from nature could be so powerful, actually heal and prevent so many health issues? I knew raw honey was healthy but really didn’t know it was this powerful until I began reading the studies and research on honey. Honey belongs in your kitchen next to every NutriBullet or Vitamix and should be eaten everyday!

Honey is an amazing substance. It’s use a food goes as far back as 8,500 years ago in murals found in Spain and as medicine as far back as 5,000 years ago in Greece, India and China.

Literally, a gift from the honeybee! The honeybee makes honey as food for its baby bees (larvae) and for food for the hive when nectar is in short supply during the winter. Honey is mostly sugar comprised of fructose and sucrose, smaller amounts of other sugars and other nutrients in a water base.

The honeybee transforms nectar into honey through regurgitation of an enzymatic substance into honeycombs and then, through evaporation of enough water, you have honey. Yes, that is how bee’s make honey!

Now the good stuff!

Honey has outstanding health properties. It’s amazing when you see honey is just sugars, water and a small amount of other nutrients. Fake honey does not provide the health benefits that real raw honey does.

The reviews on raw honey for diabetes is mixed, however if consumed in small amounts the studies are positive and show it can lower fasting blood sugar levels. However, some studies show no increase in fasting blood sugar reading but an overall increase in A1c levels (a measure of blood sugar levels over three months).

Research studies tell us many positive things about honey. Let’s look at a few.

1) Honey has antioxidant properties that reduce inflammation through out our body.

2) Honey is heart protective and can help prevent cardiovascular disease.

3) Honey has very powerful immune boosting and heart protecting enzymes and antioxidants.

4) Honey has antibiotic properties. It cured a case of MRSA when powerful antibiotics couldn’t. I personally witnessed this event. Doctors a century ago used honey as a surgical dressing because it is very antibiotic.

5) Honey can keep skin supple and can help reduce scaring because it keeps skin hydrated.

6) Honey is great for digestive support because it acts as prebiotic and kills bad bacteria. Studies show honey can help heal ulcers.

7) Honey is very effective for a sour throat when mixed with lemon juice and sipped on as a warm tea.

8) Studies show honey lowers blood LDL (bad kind) cholesterol levels, raises blood HDL (good kind) levels and lowers blood triglyceride levels.

9) Honey is a great source of energy for athletes and helps athletes recover from vigorous exercise. It is a superior energy source and it’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects are muscle and cardio protective.

10) Honey mixed with Ceylon cinnamon, ginger, turmeric and green tea makes a very powerful anti-inflammatory drink. If you use a lot of cinnamon you should only use Ceylon cinnamon. The other type of cinnamon found in most grocery store is a variety called cassia cinnamon. Cassia cinnamon has coumarin, a toxic compound that can damage your liver if consumed in higher quantities.

11) Honey is an excellent sugar replacement for diabetics. Some studies show raw honey can lower fasting blood sugar levels, while other studies show it also raises A1c levels and lowers fasting blood sugar levels. This may sound confusing. If you are diabetic I would recommend using raw honey in place of any other sugars. Because honey is much sweeter than sugar it takes much less for the same sweetness effect.

A Special Honey

Unique Manuka Honey (or UMF Honey) is a honey made from the pollen of the Manuka Tree in New Zealand. It has additional medicinal value because of compounds made specifically from this trees pollen. The call it the The Unique Manuka Factor (UMF). Manuka Honey comes with different ratings of medicinal strength specifying how much of the UMF is in the batch.  There are imitators out there. Active Manuka is not the same as Unique Manuka Honey. Additionally, look for the UMF Certification and the container or bottle should state it is bottled and labeled in New Zealand. Manuka Honey only comes from New Zealand.

These are the UMF ratings specifying its healing activity level.

  • UMF5 to UMF9 are very low activity levels
  • UMF10 to UMF15 are useful levels
  • UMF16 and over are superior levels with very high activity 

Cautions on honey

Always use Raw Unfiltered Honey from local bee growers. Local raw honey retains all of its natural healing nutritional properties when it is raw. Once pasteurized and filtered most of the health benefits are destroyed. Do not give honey to children under 1 year of age.

Do not eat honey made from pollen of the rhododendron flower. It can possibly make you sick. http://www.honeybeesuite.com/a-rare-case-of-honey-intoxication-in-seattle/

Summary

Honey has very powerful healing properties, can be used with a variety of spices for additional super health boosting potential. Honey is a healthy sugar replacement and can make recipes and foods taste great while giving us health.  Make this very anti-inflammatory smoothie by mixing 16 ounces of fresh brewed green tea, 1 tbs. of raw honey, 1 tsp. turmeric, 1 tsp Ceylon cinnamon, 1 tsp. fresh ginger, 1/4 tsp cayenne, 1/2 cup organic blueberries, 1/2 cup organic strawberries, 1/2 cup organic watercress juice. Blend and drink throughout the day!

Now that you know how good raw honey is for you, start using it everyday. It will keep you buzzzzzzing, your taste buds and your body will love you for it!

Healthy wishes

Wally Bishop C.N.C.

Integrative Nutrition Health Coach

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The contents of the email or written communication are not medical advice and should not be considered as such!  This blog is for informational purposes only. Please consult with your physician or health care provider if you have medical issues and before changing your diet or lifestyle or taking herbal or dietary supplements. Never start an exercise program with getting your doctors approval. Never quit taking medications unless advised to do so by your doctor.  Only your health care provider, personal physician, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your unique needs.

References:

Comparative gastroprotective effects of natural honey, Nigella sativa and cimetidine against acetylsalicylic acid induced gastric ulcer. Bukhari MH1, Khalil J, Qamar S, Qamar Z, Zahid M, Ansari N, Bakhshi IM. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3609166/

Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory, and Antiulcer Potential of Manuka Honey against Gastric Ulcer in Rats. Almasaudi SB1, El-Shitany NA2, Abbas AT3, Abdel-dayem UA4, Ali SS5, Al Jaouni SK6, Harakeh S7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26770649

Honey with high levels of antioxidants can provide protection to healthy human subjects. Schramm DD1, Karim M, Schrader HR, Holt RR, Cardetti M, Keen CL. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12617614

The Potential Role of Honey and its Polyphenols in Preventing Heart Diseases: A Review M I Khalil and S A Sulaiman http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3005390/

Cardioactive and vasoactive effects of natural wild honey against cardiac malperformance induced by hyperadrenergic activity. Rakha MK1, Nabil ZI, Hussein AA. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18361743

 Antibacterial Efficacy of Raw and Processed Honey P. Mohapatra, V. Thakur, and S. K. Brar  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3042689/

Natural honey lowers plasma glucose, C-reactive protein, homocysteine, and blood lipids in healthy, diabetic, and hyperlipidemic subjects: comparison with dextrose and sucrose.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15117561

Effects of natural honey consumption in diabetic patients: an 8-week randomized clinical trial.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19817641

Nutraceutical values of natural honey and its contribution to human health and wealth http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3583289/

Manuka honey inhibits cell division in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Jenkins R, Burton N, Cooper R. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21903658

 

Published by Wallace Bishop I.N.H.C, C.N.C.

In 2006, Wally was a morbidly obese man who weighed over 450 pounds and had many health problems. By improving his nutrition and adopting holistic healthy living principles, Wally was able to lose more than 220 pounds. By adopting these natural holistic principles he reversed many health problems including diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, lymphedema, arthritis and sleep apnea. Today, Wally is a Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, Certified Nutritional and Wellness Consultant and is the owner of Wellness With Wally, a Nutrition and Health Coaching Service. Wally is actively involved in local and national health promotion efforts. In addition, he works with community organizations and corporations as a speaker and educator. Wally’s Achievements • Author of over 300 articles on diet, nutrition, weight loss, sports nutrition and healthy living principles. • Regular contributor to local and national magazines and health related blog sites. • Author of “Maximize Your Life, Renew Your Mind, Body, and Spirit.” • Creator of the 12-week health and wellness course, “Unlock Your Health Potential,” which has been taught at local companies over the past 4 years. • Wally has given over 250 presentations regarding health, fitness, wellness and nutrition. • Wally has been a featured guest on NPR, CBS and Fox News stations. As well as being invited to provide expert health opinions on various radio programs. • Wally has been instrumental in the development and implementation of Health and Wellness programs for companies including a Fortune 500 company. Additionally, Wally provides a variety of class formats (ranging from thirty minute to one-hour classes to full 12-week courses) for businesses that are looking for ways to encourage their employees to adopt healthier lifestyles. Improved employee health and wellness has a positive impact on employee attendance, work efficiency, quality of work, lower health care cost and overall associate happiness thus increasing a companies overall bottom line.

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