The Ultimate Guide to
Honey

Honey is a viscous substance produced by bees from the sugary nectar of flowering plants.

Bees extract flower nectar using their tube-shaped tongues, and then store it in their stomachs where an enzyme called invertase begins the honey-making process. The bees then fly back to their honeycomb, where they deposit this new honey.

At this point, the honey still contains a high water content, so the bees fan the liquid with their wings to remove the excess moisture. Once this moisture is removed, the bees cap their comb with beeswax as a seal. At this point, honey harvesters know the golden liquid is ready to be extracted.

Honey Nutrition Facts

One tablespoon (21g) of honey consists of:

• 64 Calories
• 0g fat
• 17g carbohydrates
• 17g sugars (blend of fructose and glucose)
• 0g protein

At first glance, it may seem like honey doesn’t have a lot to offer in terms of nutrients (2). However, you should know that honey is chock-full of over 200 compounds, including antioxidants and minerals that are extremely beneficial for your body. These include phenolics, peptides, organic acids, enzymes, flavonoids and tocopherols, to name a few (3).

Antibacterial and Antifungal

Honey has been shown to have an inhibitory effect on some 60 types of bacteria, as well as many species of viruses and fungi. This effect is even seen on so-called superbugs like E. coli, Staph, and Salmonella, where its antimicrobial power is so strong that it works even if the honey is diluted up to 56 times (4).

The effect is caused by an enzyme in honey called glucose oxidase, which when ingested forms hydrogen peroxide, a potent antimicrobial (5).

Wound Healing

The ancient Egyptians, who included honey in 900 of their remedies, used the golden liquid as a topical ointment to heal infected wounds and also to embalm their dead (6).

Today, along with discovering honey’s natural disinfectant properties, scientists have found that honey possesses anti-inflammatory properties and also stimulates immune response and tissue regeneration in wounds (7). One case found that an amputee patient whose leg was infected with Pseudo and Staph, and who was not responding to regular treatment, healed completely in just 10 weeks after applying Manuka honey dressing pads (8).

Some of the types of wounds honey is effective in treating include (but aren’t limited to): abrasions, abscesses, amputations, bed sores and ulcers, burns, abdominal wounds, fistulas, diabetic, malignant, leprosy, traumatic, cervical, varicose and sickle cell ulcers, septic wounds, surgical wounds or wounds of abdominal wall and perineum.

Gut Health

Honey can be used to treat a wide range of gastrointestinal disorders, such as gastritis, ulcers, gastroenteritis, and diarrhea. It is also effective against bacterial infections of the gut, and can even prevent bacterial infections from taking hold along the walls of the digestive tract (9).

In addition, honey can help repair the mucus lining of the intestines (great for healing leaky gut and ulcers) and help kill the ulcer-causing H. pylori bacteria (10).

Weight Loss

Studies have shown that honey activates hormones that suppress appetite, and that replacing processed sugar and sweeteners with honey can reduce obesity (11).

Antioxidants

Honey contains powerful antioxidants, including flavonoids and phenolic acids, that fight the free radicals that cause aging and disease and can even help prevent DNA damage. These compounds are also known to be anti-carcinogenic (fight cancer) and give your immune system a boost (12).

Cardiovascular Health

The phenolic compounds in honey have been shown to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) by improving dilation of blood vessels and preventing the clotting of blood platelets. In addition, honey has also been found to reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol and reduce blood pressure (13).

Natural Energy Boost

Due to honey’s natural concentration of glucose sugars and beneficial compounds, researchers have labeled it the “perfect fuel” for energy before exercising. In studies, honey performs just as well as artificial glucose energy packets when it comes to physical energy (14).

Processed honey – the kind sitting in those cute bear bottles – is anything but beneficial. It has been heated, filtered, and chemically refined to such an extent that most of its enzymes and nutrients are gone, and what is left is comparable to sugar syrup.

True honey, with all of its nutrients, antioxidants, and subsequent benefits, is raw, organic, unpasteurized, and gently filtered without heat (although some raw honeys do contain chunks of the honeycomb itself). This allows it to retain all of its delicate enzymes and other compounds, including beneficial bits of propolis and pollen.

Raw honey will most likely look different than regular honey, and can range from an opaque white color to a dark amber liquid. It will most likely be thicker than the honey you’re used to. Be sure to look on the label for “raw,” or “unpasteurized,” to be sure your honey is truly raw.

Manuka Honey

Manuka honey, produced by New Zealand bees pollinating the Manuka bush, is considered one of the most healing honeys in the world. Research shows it is far richer in enzymes and antibacterial activity than regular honey, and even comes with its own global standard for medicinal quality, called the unique Manuka factor (UMF) (15).

You can use Manuka honey as an extra-strength antibacterial to fight bacterial overgrowths in your gut, disinfect wounds, treat ulcers, heal burns, and help relieve inflammation associated with IBS (16, 17).

To make sure you’re getting genuine UMF Manuka honey, look for a UMF level of at least 10 on the Manuka label for general healing. A UMF of 16 and above is considered superior, but only at 1 tablespoon at a time for serious conditions.

Thyme Honey

Thyme honey is honey made from bees that pollinate wild thyme flowers. It has the highest antioxidant value of dark herb honeys such as raspberry, hawthorn and black chokeberry honeys, which give it superior anti-aging and anti-cancer properties (18). It does have a different, more herb-y flavor than regular honey, but is still a delicious alternative.

Acacia Honey

Acacia honey is another popular honey you might see at your local health food store. It comes from the flowers of a tree often referred to as the black locust tree, and has been studied for its effectiveness in healing wounds (19). Acacia honey has a lighter, more floral taste than other honeys.

DIY Cough Syrup

Stir together 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 1/4 cup raw honey and 2 tablespoons coconut oil in a saucepan over very low heat (just enough to begin to melt the coconut oil). Take a spoonful or a tablespoon as needed and store the rest in a glass jar in the fridge for up to a month.

DIY Face Mask

For a simple face mask to combat fine lines, fight acne and plump your skin, simply spread a thin layer of raw honey on your face after cleansing and let sit for 15-20 minutes.

Heal Scratches, Nicks and Burns

As you saw earlier, raw honey has potent, wound healing properties. To harness these, rub an even layer of raw or Manuka honey over wounds or sores and cover with a bandaid or other clean dressing.

Natural Sweetener

Of course, honey’s sweet taste makes it an excellent natural sweetener for tea, smoothies, and in other recipes where you need a hint of sweetness.

Sleep Aid

Taking a spoonful of honey before bed has been shown to improve sleep and help you get to sleep.

Soothe Digetive Woes

Honey has been shown to reduce inflammation, act as an antibacterial, and feed the good bacteria in your gut – all good things when it comes to easing digestive troubles. Mix a spoonful with one tablespoon apple cider vinegar in a glass of water and drink as needed.

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about Honey:

Q: Does honey expire?

A: When honey is raw, properly sealed, and uncontaminated by water or other particles, it can last for years or even decades. However, over time, your honey may darken or crystallize (again, this will probably take years), and it will be up to you if you’d like to try honey that is a few years old.

Q: Why are some raw honeys clear, while others are opaque or contain flecks of material?

A. Raw honey can either be filtered or unfiltered, depending on the brand. If you notice flecks in your raw honey, more often than not these are bits of pollen or honeycomb and are nothing to worry about.

Q: Can diabetics eat honey?

A. Sure! This might be surprising, but raw honey has been found to have no effect on the blood sugar levels of diabetics (20). Keep in mind this is for natural, raw honey, so if you’re diabetic, be sure to triple-check that your honey is raw.

Q. Is honey safe for infants?

A: Even with all of the minerals and enzymes present in raw honey, it’s still recommended to wait until children are at least one year old before trying it out. This is because the immune system is still developing during this first year.

Q: How should I store honey?

A: Honey is best stored at room temperature, although you can store it in the fridge if you prefer.

Q: Can honey cause allergic reactions?

A: If you have or suspect you have pollen or other bee-related allergies, you should avoid raw honey.

Savory

Sweet

A Final Word About Honey

There’s no doubt about it: raw honey is a true superfood with virtually limitless benefits.

However, more does not equal better, and that is doubly true in the case of honey. This is because for every one of its benefits, honey is still very high in sugar. Overdoing it on sugar (be it from natural sources or refined sources) can lead to a whole host of problems, including weight gain.

In short, be mindful of how much honey you’re consuming and remember: a little goes a long way.