Honey contains a treasure chest of hidden nutritional and medicinal value for centuries.

The sweet golden

liquid from the beehive is a popular kitchen staple loaded with antibacterial and antifungal properties that
has been used since the early days of Egyptian tombs.
Honeys scientific super powers contribute to its vastly touted health benefits for the whole body. The
healthy natural sweetener offers many nutritional benefits depending on its variety. Raw honey is the
unpasteurized version of commonly used honey and only differs in its filtration, which helps extend its
shelf life. A tablespoon of raw honey contains 64 calories, is fat-free, cholesterol-free, and sodium-free,
says the National Honey Board. Its composition is roughly 80 percent carbohydrates, 18 percent water, and
two percent vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Typically, honey is sweet but can be cruel to infants. Spores of Clostridium botulinum bacteria found in
dirt and dust, which can contaminate honey may lead to infant botulism and produce a toxin inside the
body that can cause muscle weakness and breathing problems. TheMayo Clinic recommends waiting until
after 12 months of age to give infants honey; consumption is safe for older adults and kids, since they have
a mature digestive system that can handle the spores.
Consume honey responsibly and reap the numerous health benefits of this liquidGOLD .

1. Alleviates Allergies
Honeys anti-inflammatory effects and ability to soothe coughs has led to the belief it can also reduce
seasonal allergy symptoms. Although there are no clinical studies proving its efficacy, Dr. Matthew
Brennecke, a board certified naturopathic doctor practicing at the Rocky Mountain Wellness Center in Fort
Collins, Colo., told Medical Daily in an email, "A common theory is that honey acts like a natural
vaccine." It contains small amounts of pollen, which if the body is exposed to small amounts of it, it can
trigger an immune response that produces antibodies to the pollen. "After repeated exposure, you should
build up these antibodies and the body should become accustomed to their presence so that less histamine
is released, resulting in a lesser allergic response."

2. All-Natural Energy Drink

Honey is an excellent source of all-natural energy at just 17 grams of carbohydrates per tablespoon. This
natural unprocessed sugar fructose and glucose directly enter the bloodstream and can deliver a
quick boost of energy. The rise in blood sugar acts as a short-term energy source for your workout,
especially in longer endurance exercises.
Brennecke said there is a con to adding honey to your workout. If your goal in exercising is to increase
muscle mass, working out on an empty stomach first thing in the morning is the way to go. When your
body is in starvation mode (upon waking in morning), and you start exercising, you release insulin-like
growthfactor-1 (IGF-1), which will help you build bulk, he said. Brennecke does warn this only works
when blood sugars are low.

3. Boosts Memory
The sweet nectar is loaded in antioxidants that may help prevent cellular damage and loss within the brain.
A 2011 study published in Menopause found a daily spoonful of Malaysian honey may boost
postmenopausal womens memory, which can provide an alternative therapy for the hormone-related
intellectual decline. After four months of taking 20 grams of honey a day, the women were more likely to
have better short-term memory than their counterparts who took hormone pills.
Honeys ability to help the body absorb calcium, according to Brennecke, helps aidBRAIN HEALTH .
The brain needs calcium in order to process thought and make decisions. As our populations continue to
get older and older, the likelihood of dementia setting in because of poor intake of vitamins and minerals
continues to get higher and higher, he said.

4. Cough Suppressant
Honey can be the all-natural cure when it comes to pesky colds. A persistent cough that wont go away can
easily be remedied with two teaspoons of honey, according to a 2012 studypublished in the
journal Pediatrics. Children between the ages of 1 and 5 with nighttime cough due to colds coughed less
frequently when they received two teaspoons of honey 30 minutes before bed.
The golden liquids thick consistency helps coat the throat while the sweet taste is believed to trigger nerve
endings that protect the throat from incessant coughing. Honey is believed to be as effective as the
common cough suppressant ingredient dextromethorphan. It can be used in treating upper respiratory tract
infections.

5. Sleep Aid
Honey can be a health aid for sleepless nights. Similar to sugar, honey can cause a rise in insulin and
release serotonin a neurotransmitter that improves mood and happiness. The body converts serotonin
into melatonin, a chemical compound that regulates the length and the quality of sleep, Rene Ficek,
registered dietitian and lead dietitian nutritionist at Seattle Sutton's Healthy Eating in Chicago, Ill.,
told Medical Daily in an email.
Moreover, honey also contains several amino acids, including tryptophan that is commonly associated with
turkey. Honeys steady rise in insulin, according to Brennecke, causes the tryptophan in honey to enter the
brain, where its then converted into serotonin and then into melatonin, which is a sleep aid. This hormone
is responsible for regulating sleep and wake cycles.

6. Treats Dandruff
Honey can bring temporary relief to the scalp by targeting dandruff. A 2001 study published in
the European Journal of Medical Research found applying honey diluted with 10 percent warm water to

problem areas and leaving it on for three hours before rinsing led to itch relief and no scaling within a
week. Skin lesions healed within two weeks and patients even showed an improvement in hair loss. The
patients did not relapse even after six months of use.
Thanks to honey's antibacterial and antifungal properties, it can also treat seborrheic dermatitis and
dandruff, which are often caused by an overgrowth of fungus. Moreover, honey also has antiinflammatory properties, which address the redness and itching on the scalp, Brennecke said.

7. Treats Wounds And Burns

Honey is a natural antibiotic that can act both internally and externally. It can be used as a conventional
treatment for wounds and burns by disinfecting wounds and sores from major species of bacteria such as
methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). A 2005 studypublished in the British Journal of
Surgery found all but one of patients who suffered from wounds and leg ulcers showed remarkable
improvement after applying a topical application of honey.
Dr. Diane Radford, a breast surgical oncologist in St. Louis, Mo., told Medical Daily in an email, Manuka
honey has antibacterial properties for wound healing. The precursor for the active antibacterial agent
methylglyoxal (MGO) comes from the nectar of mnuka trees. A specialized research unit at the University
of Waikato is looking into the conversion to the active product, she said.
Honey has been utilized for its medicinal properties for over 2,000 years and continues its legacy as a
multipurpose health aid.