Apr 15 2008
The Health Benefits of Locally-Grown Raw Honey
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Raw Honey is not only Tasty!
Perhaps your parents failed to mention it when they discussed the birds and the bees with you. But, honey has a long history of healing, too.
Really, it’s been used for centuries for its healing properties, as well as its sweetness. People use it to bake with. It requires you to use less heat. Its tasty flavor is one reason many people prefer it over table sugar. Besides that, honey is much sweeter than regular table sugar and better for you.
It’s best if you buy locally grown organic raw honey whenever you can. Locally grown because it’s produced by bees which are from the environment in which you live. It is always best to grow or consume foods from the area in which you live as they contain the immune stimulating properties needed for your body to adapt to its environment. Fresh raw honey will also be tastier, and more potent. And, when you buy from local independent farmers you help keep them in business, which is good for your economy.
Eight Health Benefits of Honey
As a healing remedy, raw honey can address multiple issues. There are far more benefits from taking honey than I will include here. Scientific research is ongoing surrounding the benefits of this remarkable substance. I’ve included some interesting benefits you may not know about.
- Taking organic raw honey is a healthy way to get an energy boost. Its carbohydrates supply us with energy and strength. It can boost your endurance and reduce muscle fatigue.
- Honey is a great aid in relieving morning sickness, reportedly even more effective than traditional soda crackers. It’s also good for sore throats including laryngitis and pharyngitis.
- Honey and cinnamon can help in many areas including relief from bladder infections, arthritis, upset stomach and bad breath. It’s even supposed to be able to slow down hair loss.
- Honey can be used as a medication for men with problems of impotence and women with problems related to infertility. Warm raw goat milk and raw honey is believed to increase sperm count considerably.
- A salve made of honey, for diabetic ulcers, has been proven effective when other topical antibiotics are not well tolerated. It can be applied to eczema, canker sores or bleeding gums.
- Honey and apple cider vinegar can be used for many ailments like stomach aches, constipation and even migraines.
- Honey and lemon goes to work in the body shifting the extra fat stores, thus making it usable energy for regular body functions. And, honey is cholesterol-free. It reportedly can even help to keep cholesterol levels in check
- Honey has a viscous texture due to its low water content. It also establishes a poor environment for bad bacteria to grow, and is a good natural preservative.
Honey is a remarkable natural substance that is receiving a lot of well deserved attention. Remember that it’s best to use locally grown raw honey. Seek out local markets for organic goods to get the freshest products. Support your local independent farmers; helping them to stay in business is good for them and for your economy.
And for more information about honey, visit the sites listed in our Related Articles section below.
Precautions
Honey contains a natural presence of botulinum endospores, therefore, children under one year old should not be given honey. Before the age of twelve months, a child’s intestinal track is not mature enough to inhibit the growth of Clostridium botulinum, which is often found in honey. No honey, in any form, should be given to babies younger than one.
Related Articles:
October 29th, 2009 at 10:59 pm
I bet none of you have seen green or blue honey.. there’s an island in the Philippines known for it’s age-old caves and untouched rainforest. there’s a small local shop there that sells different variety of wild raw honey. The green one is from bees who live in caves and eat mostly algae. The blue one is from bees who resides in the rainforests and eats wild blueberries. there’s also the red and usual yellow from indigenous floras. They’re packed in glass bottles as I was told it will explode in plastic containers because it’s raw. It’s not as viscous as the usual honey I’m accustomed to but each one has very distinct taste. The locals claimed it’s the most potent immune system booster because of the high antioxidant content.
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Kevin replied on November 16th, 2009:
where do you find honey like this? any information on the nutritional differences or health advantages from honey derived from sources like these?
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Kathleen replied on November 2nd, 2009:
@ Iryne,
Do you know which island in the Philippines? This is very interesting!
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October 4th, 2009 at 4:37 pm
I use 16 ounces for $12.95 of the healthiest certified organic 100% African Raw Wild Honey which can be gotten from online.
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Rob replied on November 16th, 2009:
Jordan,
You got ripped off. I’m a beekeeper. There is no such thing as organic honey. This is because you have no idea where the bees are collecting their nectar and pollen, Bees will travel up to 6 miles to collect pollen. So unless you have bees that are in the middle of an organic farm that is 12 miles in diameter there is just no legal way to call it certified organic.
On another note you should never have to buy honey for more than $7lb.
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Rose replied on November 20th, 2009:
What is considered local honey? I live in Denver, Colorado and purchased honey from Wal-Mart and on the label it says Greeley, Colorado. My husband insisted that honey to be effective needs to be harvested within 30 miles from home. Is there are truth to this?
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September 28th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
There is no certified organic local honey as Honey more than anything else is a product of its environment. Most bee hives are placed near cities or conventional farms. So there is no way to certify them organic. Also, Dollar wise pollination is bigger business than honey, so honeybees travel from throughout the country for crop pollination, exposing them to numerous of deadly crop pesticides, GMO’s and environmental pollution. The stress due to transporting hives long distances, poor nutrition of bees and colonies weakened by varroa mite forces most commercial apiaries give their bees antibiotics. The commercial apiaries recycle their frames between 4-10 years (some never recycle) so there is lot of pesticide and antibiotic residue build up in the frames. Almost all the honey sold in the USA is produced by commercial apiaries and it generally contains high pesticide and antibiotic residue.
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September 4th, 2009 at 9:05 am
For helping a sore throat or cough, how much raw honey should you take and can you drink right after. Is it just as healing if taken in tea?
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October 22nd, 2008 at 9:32 pm
Thank you Dr.G! In my opinion, wild and raw honey is a better choice than beekeeper’s honey. Can anyone tell me their differences in properties and etc….cause I might buy the beekeeper’s honey for the moment, it’s easier to get it. What should i pay attention in buying them? Thank you, your reply is very much appreciated!
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pete rushton replied on June 30th, 2009:
difference between pure honey and raw honey
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October 21st, 2008 at 9:49 pm
Thank you for your good advice, Vicky! I’ll try to locate the wild honey and compare it with beekeeper’s honey.
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October 21st, 2008 at 6:33 pm
Lee,
Raw or processed honey will solidify in the fridge. Honey doesn’t have to be refridgerated. It will last a long time if kept in a dark cool place such as a pantry. Even if it does solidify, just place in warm water for 10 minutes or so and you are good as new. If you mean by “wild honey” as in harvested from bees that are not kept by a bee keeper such as myself. I have NO idea how you would come to purchase that. You would have to find someone who goes looking for wild hives. Being as you are in Asia, I have no idea how to locate a local bee keeper there.
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October 20th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
Thanks Vicky, can The wild raw honey solidify in a fridge? can i tell from its appearence if i would choose from a store? I live in asia country, and i prefer wild raw honey than man keep honey, can you tell me their differences?Thanks again!
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October 20th, 2008 at 8:49 am
The best way to be sure you are getting Raw Honey is to buy it directly from a Bee keeper. We sell our honey for $6 per pound. Some may sell for less, some for more. Check out your local farmers market, we have many in our area of UPstate NY and there is always a local bee keeper at them.
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October 19th, 2008 at 10:06 pm
After reading so much benefits about raw honey, I really need to know to differentiate raw honey from many brand of honeys in the market .thery all claimed that ther are pure raw honey but their price can be vary. can anyone tell me how to buy a good raw honey at a reasonal price? THANK YOU!!
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Dr. Edward Group replied on October 22nd, 2008:
Lee,
The best way to determine the quality is to actually speak with the supplier and even take a tour of their facility. The locally grown organic farms should not have a problem with this. Have them show you their organic certification and their processing methods. I purchase locally harvested bee pollen and honey from my local farmers market.. The closer the bees are to your home the better the honey.
Thanks Dr. G
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October 16th, 2008 at 10:09 pm
I have no idea where anyone would get the idea that harvesting honey equates to animal Cruelty? No one dies when harvesting honey! My boyfriend and I raise 4 bee hives on our property, and we love it. Our whole area benefits from these wonderful little creatures. We harvest the honey twice a year and always make sure that our bees have enough food for the winter. Raw Honey has so many wonderful benefits. If you purchase honey in a store look at where it is made, if it comes from anywhere other than the USA, you are not looking at 100% pure Honey.
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Rose replied on November 20th, 2009:
Hello Vicky,
I live in Divide, Colorado and purchased honey from Wal-Mart which came from Greeley, CO. My husband said that honey is only effective for allergy treatment if the honey came from within 30 miles from our home. Is this true?
Thanks,
Rose
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October 10th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
I used to be concerned about Raw Honey, but I’ve been using it for about 10 years or so, and I’ve never once had an issue.
However, I have no idea how to find locally grown raw honey… I need to do some research into that.
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August 4th, 2008 at 10:28 am
Raw Honey is great! I love putting raw honey in my tea, it adds a great flavor with many health benefits. Raw Honey is also a better choice as a sweetener than sugar. (at least I prefer raw honey over sugar)
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July 22nd, 2008 at 9:54 pm
Raw Honey is one of my personal favorites. I’ve never actually bought Raw Honey from a locally grown source though. I should probably look into that.
I never knew there were so many benefits to raw honey. Good info. Thanks!
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June 9th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
Harvac,
I posted a link and somehow the whole comment disappeared. I will look for it again, but in the meanwhile you can look at any vegan site where there is usually an explanation.
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June 6th, 2008 at 6:22 am
I promote raw honey myself but there are some dubious claims being made here – like “Honey can be used as a medication for men with problems of impotence and women with problems related to infertility. Warm raw goat milk and raw honey is believed to increase sperm count considerably.”
If claims are going to be made then they need to be backed up with some sort of evidence otherwise people are being given hope that their problem can be helped in this way, when in reality there isn’t any evidence.
Tim
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May 13th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Thanks for the article! Honey is also a great substitute for pancake syrup, and it taste much better. The more popular pancake syrup in the market contains, ‘high fructose corn syrup’.
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sandy replied on March 23rd, 2009:
If you want good pancake syrup, buy grade A dark amber. It’s a bit more expensive than the usual stuff but it is really good. It is nothing but pure maple syrup.
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Walter replied on May 13th, 2008:
Thats about all they contain.
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Amy replied on May 14th, 2008:
That’s funny. The pancake syrups I buy are 100% maple syrup and taste better than honey. In addition, they are not as friendly to clostridium bacteria and are not a product of animal cruelty.
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Alexander replied on December 7th, 2008:
Pancake syrup is a product of a tree cruelty. Amy, stay away from it, save maple trees.
Harvac replied on June 9th, 2008:
Amy,
Please tell me what you know about “Animal Cruelty” in regard to the use of honey. I am not familiar enough with this to judge on the subject, but I’d like to know what it is you are referring to.
Dr. Edward Group replied on June 3rd, 2008:
That is a great point Lindsay. Thanks for adding your excellent and educated comments..
Dr. G
lindsay replied on June 1st, 2008:
how is that animal cruelty they are not killing the bees, they even provide shelter for them. If you want to get technical its more cruel to the tree because they have to drill to get to the maple syrup.
Lydia replied on May 26th, 2008:
Animal cruelty??
I guess someone has taken “Bee Movie” a bit too seriously! ;D
Yannis replied on May 15th, 2008:
exactly, use either real maple syrup or honey. The ‘More Popular” syrup in the USA market contains “High Fructose Corn Syrup”